In May 2003, Leon Britton and Roberto Martinez lined up in central midfield for Swansea City in a crucial last-day-of-the-season League Two clash against Hull at Vetch Field. Swansea's 4-2 win saved them from relegation to the Conference and kept Hull marooned in mid-table.

This weekend Hull will look to continue their incredible start in the Premier League at Tottenham, while Britton will anchor Swansea - now managed by Martinez - in their home clash with Championship pace-setters Wolves at their £27m Liberty Stadium.

The rise of both clubs has been meteoric, as have the fortunes of Britton and Martinez, who roomed together for three-and-a-half years before the Spaniard assumed the ubiquitous title of 'Gaffer'.

But while Britton has to remember that his former team-mate is now his boss, he knows that he is finally beginning to realise the potential that saw West Ham pay a then-record fee for a 16-year-old of £400,000 to lure him from Arsenal in 1998.

A huge number of players drop out of the game after failing to make it at their first club, but Britton is a shining example that success can come from the lower rungs of the Football League.

"I spent four years at West Ham, between the ages of 15 and 19, and I never played a first-team game," admits Britton, 26, who began his career with Chelsea before moving, aged just nine, to Arsenal, where he progressed at the Lilleshall Academy.

"I could see how difficult it was going to be for me to break into the first team at Arsenal, while West Ham had the likes of Rio Ferdinand, Frank Lampard, Joe Cole and Michael Carrick in the team and I really thought I'd get a chance there."

Unfortunately Britton never made the grade at Upton Park. While he watched Jermain Defoe, his contemporary and close friend at both Lilleshall and West Ham, make the grade, Britton survived on a diet of youth and reserve team football.

So when the chance came to move to Swansea, Britton jumped at it - and insists he never had any doubt that he would make it as a footballer.

"I was always convinced I would make it," says Britton. "Even in League Two I just wanted to play and had unbelievable confidence I'd improve over time.

"I have a lot of mates who I started out with that are just doing normal jobs now, but I knew I'd be dedicated and would work hard enough to get better and make it."

But while Britton's outlook on the game has never changed, the fortunes of his club certainly have. Swansea are unrecognisable, says the Wimbledon-born midfielder, from when he joined in 2002 - and the same goes for a young manager he clearly rates highly.

"You have to pinch yourself sometimes," admits Britton when asked if he can believe how the club has progressed. "Four or five years ago we were fighting to avoid relegation to the Conference, but now we're in a brand spanking new stadium playing Wolves, who are the leaders in the Championship.

"It's all credit to the board and the management, and hopefully it's onwards and upwards."

He continues: "Do I think Martinez is bound for the top? Yes, I do. He has completely changed the philosophy of the club in the year-and-a-half he's been here. Everyone said you can't play good football and win in the lower leagues but he's showed that's not true.

"All he wants us to do is pass the ball and keep possession - and even if it's a cold, wet Tuesday night when you think maybe a few long balls are needed he will never change his ideas. He's obviously learning but I know him well after three-and-a-half years as roommates and he hasn't changed.

"He's very good at keeping us fresh and keeping us on our toes. It's often the little things that make the difference. For example, if we have a game on a Tuesday night you'd normally train on a Monday morning, but he's occasionally getting us to come down and train at 7pm on a Monday night - it just means there's no comfort zone.

"Of course, he's young, enthusiastic and forward thinking - and as he's only just finished playing he can come onto the training pitch and show us exactly what he wants if we aren't doing it right."

But despite the presence of Martinez, many would be wary of facing Wolves, who are top of the table having scored an impressive 23 goals in their first nine league games. That number doesn't include Britton, though.

"It doesn't scare us," he insists. "It tells you where their strengths are - they're obviously very capable of scoring. We just have to make sure we stand up strong and keep it tight as a team.

"We've come up to this division and not many of us have played at this level but we haven't seen anything that has made us think we're out of our depth. Wolves are just another test, but we know that at our ground we'll give any team a good game."

Five years ago that would have meant a League Two relegation clash with Hull at the old Vetch Field. The priorities have changed somewhat in South Wales.