BY now we all know the story of Jay DeMerit. The all American boy without a Dollar to his name who travelled to Europe in a bid to carve out a career in football.

We also know that he soon found himself plying his trade in the Premiership. That's one hell of a turnaround. In terms of achieving ones goals, one might say it's the equivalent of scoring straight from the kick off.

The learning curve for the Green Bay boy was immense and as we sit chatting in Starbucks, him with a Caramel Macchiato ("Just because I love saying it as I order") I ask if it's been a curve or a hulking great Everest climb? Is Jay DeMerit still the boy who's living the dream? Or does he now see himself as a fully fledged international defender with Premiership experience?

"I think I'll always be living the dream. Everyone takes different routes to get to where they are. Some people have to do it the hard way, but for me, this is the only way that I know and it was the best way for me. I was able to live my life, have an education, get out in the real world first - so I've always been used to the hard work.

"For me it's more gratifying. Some kids are signed up to clubs so young these days, not that there's a problem with doing it that way. But I was under the radar, so when I got my opportunity I grabbed it with both hands."

With limited spaces in the MLS draft, an abundance of promising 'soccer' stars go unsigned. For some it can mean giving up, for others such as DeMerit it means having to craft your own career. Had he not have taken the plunge and been training with Northwood on that fateful day when Ray Lewington spotted him, right about now, the centre half could well be helping you make breakfast every morning.

"I did a degree in industrial design. It was all about designing to a specification and problem solving. You'll notice that Apple products have a certain look, sleek and smooth, the same with most brands, they have their own feel. So we would look at a brand and design items following their style from start to finish. I designed a prototype for a Volkswagen toaster!

"There are very few new inventions these days. It's all about taking an existing product and making it better."

As he says this, I can't help but liken his statement to himself and the improvements that he has undertaken. So if DVD has replaced video and iPods have replaced walkmans, I guess international defenders have booted defensively raw, part time decorators who live on beans on toast right out of the picture.

I ask how his problem solving has helped him on the pitch: "I think it's been a mental progression for me, I was very raw when I came over here, ask anyone."

As he says that he laughs, no doubt reminiscing on just how raw he thought he was.

"I had a lot of potential but I wasn't anywhere near where I should have been or where I am now. After every performance and every season, I still ask myself if I'm getting better. I'm learning how to use my mind on the pitch now, that is key. My mind and my voice. It's amazing how by using your voice you can get people to do what you want them to. Communication is vital.

"People like Malky Mackay and Neil Cox have taught me that there is a bigger side to defending. When to step up and when to drop off. On the ball I'm getting better at getting it down and playing.

"As a team we look at what we could improve on. Should we be training more, or maybe less? Should we be doing more conditioning work? It's all about analysis. Each individual on every team is different."

There is no doubt at all that Jay is still American born and bred. To me his accent is as thick as it no doubt was when he first descended upon our shores, but others seem to think differently.

"I've been here for four years now but I still think of myself as the all American boy. My friends back home laugh at my accent, they think I've turned English, but I've got a few of my friends who have come over here now and I can now joke back that the same is happening to them."

For DeMerit, it's the trips back to the US that have shown him just how far he's come, although he admits that he's done it all the wrong way round.

"The journey has been cool for me. I did it the other way round to most people. Most people get called up to the USA team and then get a big move to Europe. I plied my trade in the English game and then got recognised for my country. So in effect I walked into the international line up having played in one of the best leagues in the world. I probably had a bit more respect that your average player who was earning their first cap. I felt as though I had achieved something by myself.

"That's the great thing about football, it's a sport where everyone can have something in common, no matter what your background is. It's all level on the playing field."

It's as we begin to talk about football, or soccer, in America that the conversation inevitably turns to David Beckham. I ask that if even he can't make soccer bigger than baseball or basketball, then will nothing do the trick?

"I think he's the best person to have a go at creating awareness towards the MLS. More Americans know about it and are asking about it now. I was back home in the summer and my uncle asked "So who's this David Beckman guy?" Seriously! Beckman! It just sums it up. Even though he got the name wrong it's still a progression! A few years back they wouldn't have cared. At least they now know there's a guy now who plays soccer, be it Beckman or Beckham, at least he exists!

"The MLS is progressing, it's no longer the same level as the English third division. It's definitely behind what we have over here there's no denying that, but it is getting better. The MLS draft only takes 40 players, so chances are always going to be limited. That's why more people like me have started to take things into their own hands."

DeMerit may have hit the big time, but deep down he's just a chilled out guy who likes the eccentricity of his Camden surroundings, a place that offers everything he desires and reminds him of the trendy Division Street back home in Chicago.

"I like the city, I like being in the mix of everything, that's always been me. Once I was in a position to afford my own place I decided to stay in Camden. I could have bought the big four bedroom house near Watford, but I like Camden, it's very me.I like to go down to the canal and watch the world go by, no one knows me there. It's such a great place, it's probably one of the few places where I can walk down the street and see a guy with a three foot Mohawk walking alongside a man in a suit.

"It's great for when my family come over and stay because I don't have to put them on a train and tell them where to change to get into the city as they're already there. It's right on the doorstep to everything."

The visits from his family are something that aren't as regular an occurrence as he would like of course.

"I miss being able to have my friends and family come to my games, but I think geographically that's somewhat impossible! But it's never been a problem, we build bridges, the great thing about my family is that they've always been supportive."

When DeMerit flies back home, either for international duty or during the holidays, there is perhaps one place that you can expect to find him when he's not hanging out at home. Having recently become a co-owner of 'Villains' bar in Chicago, it is surely a place for any travelling Hornets to frequent when in the Windy City. And according to the man himself, it's not just the odd Watford fan that shows up there.

"After the USA v Brazil game we had the whole team there along with Ronaldinho who came along to party with us. It's been open for about two months now. The bar is very Camden actually, it's got a lot of black and a few crazy colours here and there. We've got a pool table in the back and it shows all of the Watford games of course.

"It's not my only business venture, I like to help out and go into business with my buddies. We're looking at buying a music venue in Minnesota. It's called Big V's and it showcases a lot of up and coming Indie bands. A few friends of mine have a record label called Royalty Etc, so we're going to merge the two and call it 'Royalty Etc's Big V's'. The guy who runs it at the moment is looking to retire and he wants to pass it onto someone who will keep the legacy going."

Jay's own music taste is fairly eclectic, I guess it's bound to be living in Camden. A fan of the Brit Rock scene, he is also going to see David Gray live at the Roundhouse next month. But the only music to his ears will no doubt be hearing that Watford are a Premiership club again next May. I ask what it was like to be a defender during last season. Everyone talks of Darius Henderson's dry spell and Marlon King's injury woe, but what of the last line of defence? What was it like to be the small fish every week and have Thierry Henry and Cristiano Ronaldo blazing past you?

"This year is great, we're the big fish and we're nicking the wins, even when we don't play our best. Last year, that was what was happening to us. I don't think we played badly, we were the victims of bad fortune sometimes. There were times when I didn't think we were out of our depth. You'd be playing against Manchester United and at half time it was 1-1 and you'd be thinking hey, these aren't THAT much better than us. Then suddenly one of them would do something and you'd think, hmmm, maybe they are!

"When we're promoted again, we'll have another transitional period. Sure we want to survive, but who wants the mediocrity of finishing mid-table? I've experienced just about everything. I've had a relegation survival, a promotion, a relegation and now I'm going for promotion again. I'd hate to be one of those teams who go into a season neither fighting nor challenging - just existing.

"My only goal is to keep improving. I'd love to play in the next World Cup and of course get back into the Premiership and establish ourselves in the league. It was a great experience, but I don't think we were ready for it. We learnt so much last year and now I want to put it into practise with another crack at it."

Like he said before, it's all about taking an existing product and making it better. 

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