The Wandsworth-born left-back became the youngest player in Premier League history when he made his first-team debut against Middlesbrough in May 2007 aged 16 years and 65 days. Briggs was subsequently touted as a rising star but a mixture of injuries, incoming players and managerial changes seemingly stunted his progress with the Cottagers. As a result, the 20-year-old only made his second Fulham appearance in August 2010 but, despite the frustrations, Briggs insists the future is his only concern. "It's true, things probably haven't gone as I thought they would," he told the club's official website. "As a result, there were times when I didn't really feel part of things. "Although I was in and around the senior squad, it's not until you get a regular run of games that you fully understand what it is like. "But I do feel part of the set-up now - I feel like a professional footballer. "Every player wants to be out there wearing the shirt of his team and I'm no different." He added: "It has been frustrating, but I can't think about that now. "I'd rather just concentrate on playing football and the situation that I currently find myself in. "I've always wanted to play football for a living and if I am to make that dream come true then I have to keep working. "I could have let my head drop, but the moment you allow that to happen is the moment the dream can slip away. "I've just got on with it and tried to improve as much as I can, working on every aspect of my game. "I do feel like I have come a long way, but that said, there's still a lot more that I need to do and I will continue to chase that dream." While Briggs made four first-team appearances last season, he has already racked up six games under recently-appointed manager Martin Jol. The left-back has played in each of Fulham's Europa League clashes and he is keen to repay the faith shown in him by the Dutchman. "I'm 20 years of age now and although that is still young, I've been training with the first team for a while now," he said. "I like to think that I have the talent, and now it's up to me to turn my potential into the real thing. "I'm getting the experience now and it looks like I'm in the manager's thoughts, which is very pleasing. "He's raised the bar and hopefully I can make the jump. He's certainly given the younger players a lift and the chance is there for us. "To be working with my fourth manager is hard because it's been a case of building myself up again and starting from scratch. "The last manager [Mark Hughes] brought me into the team and when he left I didn't know if the opportunity would come again. "But when I heard that Martin Jol was arriving I was really excited because I had been told that he liked giving young players an opportunity - and that seems to be the case."
