PIERO Mingoia has spoken of his pride at joining the 100 club at Accrington Stanley, and says there is more to come.

The winger hit the century of appearances in the 1-0 win at Bristol Rovers on September 12.

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And he admits he has come a long way since the early stages of his Reds career, and a time when he did not dare to dream of such longevity.

The former Watford man was not able to secure a regular place in James Beattie’s side on his initial loan spell from September, 2012, to January, 2013, and was released from Vicarage Road at the end of that season.

But he was given a second chance by Stanley that summer, and grabbed it with both hands.

“I think I only made nine appearances in that first season and got a bit of an injury so I had to go back for a bit, but as soon as you come here you see what this club is all about and how together everyone is,” he said.

“If you accept it for what it is and embrace it you can do quite well but if you turn your nose up at it there’s only one place you’ll end up and that’s out of the door.”

Mingoia cites a stoppage-time double to beat Mansfield, scoring the decisive goal to beat Middlesbrough in the Capital One Cup and facing Leeds at Elland Road in the same competition a year later among his highlights.

“I remember saying after the Middlesbrough game that three weeks ago I’d been sitting at home not sure what I was going to do.

“A month later I’d scored a goal at the Riverside. It’s crazy how football works.”

Mingoia earned a permanent deal at Stanley in the summer of 2013, but still had a fight on his hands to get into the first team.

He is reaping the rewards of his hard work and persistence now.

“If I’m honest I never thought I would be here for so long. I’m quite proud of getting to 100 games because some people don’t even get the chance to get to 50 games in professional football so this is something to be happy about,” said the 23-year-old, in a special interview for the club.

“For me it’s always about the next game. You’re only as good as your next performance. I know there’s more to come from me this season and I’m just trying to work every day to make sure I can be playing as well as I can.”