CHAMPIONSHIP football will feel all the sweeter for James Meredith next season because he has worked his way up from nothing.

A Millwall fixture list with Aston Villa, Leeds and Sunderland is far removed from facing Burscough, Hucknall and King’s Lynn in the Conference North.

It is eight years since the former City defender played in the sixth tier with Telford – but he still recalls the feeling of rejection which forced him to start again at such a low level.

“My agent called pretty much every club in the country from Championship to the Conference and below but nobody was interested,” Meredith told the T&A.

“I didn’t believe him so I called them all up and got the same result.

“Whatever the excuse was, no experience, not strong enough, not good enough, but I had to start somewhere.

“So I’ve worked my way up and I’m really looking forward to this season now. It proves that hard work pays off.”

Meredith laughed off any suggestions that Millwall boss Neil Harris made his move straight after the final whistle of City’s play-off defeat. But the Lions wasted no time registering an interest.

Phil Parkinson was also keen in a reunion with the left back at Bolton but Harris stood out for the 29-year-old defender.

“There are always rumours but I became aware of strong interest just after the play-off final,” said Meredith.

“There were a few Championship clubs and some in League One. I sat down with a couple but Neil Harris was the one who came across best to me.

“He said he wanted to sit me into the team and spoke very well and that was a big contributor to making my decision.

“There was a lot of talk going on between us and Bolton as well but, after weighing everything up, I felt Millwall was the best move for me.”

Having agreed a two-year deal, he will undergo a medical in London next Friday. But having waited so long for a chance in the Championship, Meredith intends to come in fit and firing.

He said: “I’ve dreamed about playing in the Championship for a long time. I’ve worked hard over the past decade to make this happen.

“I’ve built my way up from the Conference North to do this, so I’m not going to let the opportunity slip away.

“I want to come back stronger, fitter, better on the ball and give them a better year than I’ve ever done before.

“There are so many big clubs in this division – every game is a big one. This year there were four or five fixtures that stood out like that but in the Championship, it’s every week.”