Well for Stu Rose, that was a milestone reached by the end of August – a remarkable spell which included four hat-tricks in just nine games.
The Northern League’s most feared marksman ended the regular campaign with 41 goals – a tally only bettered by one player in the entire country at step five of the football pyramid.
But he’s hoping he’s not quite finished yet, for now comes the biggest game – or perhaps two games – in his club’s history.
On Friday night, Boro Rangers host Newcastle Blue Star in the Northern League Division One play-off semi-finals.
Win and Ben Wheatley’s side are just 90 minutes away from step four of the National League system, a remarkable achievement for a club that was crowed champions of the Teesside League just over a decade ago. It’s been quite the ride since for Boro Rangers.
And this has been quite the season for Rose, a 33-year-old who has never played at a level higher than the Northern League in the past. The obvious question, given his achievements this term…why?
“I was in and about academies like Boro and Leeds when I was a kid, but nothing really came for me after the age of 16,” he tells the Northern Echo.
“Then I just played with my friends really at that age and wanted to enjoy it. From there, I went to the Northern League and had a couple of spells with different clubs but didn’t really enjoy it.
“But Boro Rangers are the best club I’ve ever been involved with. There’s a family feel, there’s a togetherness, it’s a great group of lads and obviously things have gone well on the pitch.”
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Rose, who works as an electrician, will make his way out onto the pitch on Friday night hand in hand with his two-year-old son Beau, who – inadvertently – has played his own part in his dad’s success this season.
“After the first game this season, when I’d scored, I noticed my little lad had put this little duck in my bag,” laughs Rose, taking up the story.
“I said to one of the lads,, I’ve got to keep it there now I’ve scored. I’ve kept it in my bag all season and I feel like it’s been a bit of a lucky charm!
“I always joke and say maybe that’s the reason.”
Whatever the reason, Rose’s form has unsurprisingly not gone unnoticed and a couple of clubs from higher up the ladder have sounded him out. The attention, he admits, is “nice” but his focus is on helping Boro Rangers up the ladder.
Win on Friday night and they’ll set up a play-off final and promotion decider against either Shildon or Blyth Town.
“Last season was our first at this level and we just missed out on the play-offs,” says Rose.
“Really, the aim last season was just to stay in the league and see where we’re at. But that gave us confidence and this year we wanted to have a go. We’ve had a great season, and obviously things have gone well for me.”
Amersham Town’s Jake Tabor is the only player to have scored more goals than Rose at step five this season.
“I ended up with 41 in 38 games,” says Rose.
“I scored in nine consecutive games at one point.
“Because I was doing so well, you get targeted a bit, I was getting doubled up on, so it did get a bit tougher but I still scored enough in the end to finish as top scorer.”
Comfortably. Rose’s nearest rival was 15 goals worse off.
Now, though, he wants to finish the most memorable season in style.
“To win promotion would just be incredible for the club,” he says.
“There’s only one way this club is going and to be part of that is brilliant. To go up would be massive, it would be huge.”
Boro Rangers are hoping to beat their record crowd of 704 at the club’s Phoenix Park ground on Friday night, kick-off 7.30pm.
The club posted on social media this week: “We want to make history. Please come along with your family and friends and help make our dreams a reality.”
