GRAYS ATHLETIC: WEST Ham United – who lost 3-1 to Norwich City on Saturday – were punished by a man fans of football in Thurrock know only too well.

Gary Hooper grabbed his first Premier League goal from the penalty spot to level the scores at 1-1 at Carrow Road.

It completed a remarkable journey for the 25-year-old.

Hooper has gone from being one of the stars of the Grays Athletic team that won two FA Trophy finals and nearly got promoted into the Football League in 2006 to a Premier League striker seven years later.

Hooper spent nearly three seasons at Grays under Mark Stimson before making the trip to Roots Hall.

He put pen to paper for Southend United who, at that time, were riding high in the Championship.

But things proved much more difficult for him at Shrimpers. Hooper’s career looked to have stalled at Roots Hall.

He struggled to make an impresson under then manager Steve Tilson’s tenure.

A move to Scunthorpe United re-ignited Hooper where 43 goals in 80 appearances earned him a move to Scottish giants Celtic.

In Glasgow, he won two league titles and played in glamourous Champions League clashes against the likes of Barcelona.

But at the start of the season, he returned south signing for Norwich in a reported £5million deal.

Saturday’s goal against West Ham was his first league goal in six appearances.

Afterwards he tweeted: “Buzzing to finally get my first prem goal. Now scored at every level. #Prem #Championship #L1 #L2 #SPL #ChampionsLeague #Europa.”

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