He showed up to soccer practice one day on a bicycle holding a crumpled resume.

"He just came out of nowhere," London City general manager Ryan Gauss said. "It really was like something out of Field of Dreams."

The bio said his name was Winston Griffiths and he was 31 years old. It listed places he's been and things he's done in the sport.

Gauss couldn't believe what he was reading.

Former Jamaican national team member who attended the 1998 World Cup in France with the Reggae Boyz -- but never saw action.

Played in Major League Soccer for the Los Angeles Galaxy, the New England Revolution and the MetroStars.

Time spent with the Vancouver Whitecaps and the Toronto Lynx, plus a stint with Toronto Supra in the same Canadian Soccer League as City.

A tryout with England's Bolton Wanderers.

And all of a sudden, he's standing there, asking if City would be willing to let him end a two-year hiatus from the game and get back in the game at Cove Road field.

Naturally, red flags went up all over the place.

"You have to understand that people just show up all the time and ask for a tryout," he said. "We see it all the time. I was skeptical. I needed to do the research. I started looking into what he was telling me. Things were matching up but you never know."

Gauss's phone rang. It was former pro player Ricky Titus, a longtime acquaintance of Ryan's late father Harry, the heart and soul of the City franchise.

"Ricky asked, 'Did that player I sent you show up,' " Gauss said, "and another flag dropped. If Ricky Titus is recommending a player, there has to be something to it."

Griffiths was invited to handle the ball and from the first touch, it was magic.

The other City players started to take notice.

"He showed some instincts that you just don't learn around here (in Canadian soccer)," Gauss said.

City, already frustrated by Mexican Kevin Zimmermann's visa woes, are hopeful they've found a star player who's fallen right into their laps.

Of course, there are several outstanding questions for Griffiths to answer.

How does such a high-calibre player, who last suited up for Sporting Central in his native Jamaica a couple of years ago, just fall off the soccer map?

"I've had a few issues in my life to sort out," he said.

Griffiths has three kids. They are Canadian citizens and he is not.

Recently, the eldest (10-year-old Winston Jr.) has taken a shine to soccer. His interest sparked this comeback attempt.

"I wanted him to see me play," Griffiths said. "He loves the game."

If it works out, it'd be a good story. The father playing for the son on the Gauss's team, where this season has been set up as a tribute to a late dad.

So how did Griffiths end up here in London anyway?

When he was living in Toronto, he came to the city to attend a party. On his return to Canada, he sought out London again.

Griffiths, who has attended college, isn't working yet.

He also has to get back in match shape. He joined a gym and will have access to City team trainer Theresa Carriere.

Last week, the slender midfielder refused to suit up in an exhibition because he didn't think he was ready. Gauss said that showed humility and professionalism and that he'll be on the pitch when he gets himself fit.

This season, if all goes well, will be a stepping stone to relaunching the Jamaican's lost career.

"I'm committed to this," Griffiths said. "I want to play again. I want to finish (the year). Getting in shape, that's the first step. The soccer part, that comes back to you."

It's like riding a bicycle.

And that bike Griffiths rode to practice to introduce himself to Gauss? "It's gone," he said with a laugh. "Someone stole my bike."

He doesn't know where it is.

Or where this soccer project will lead.

E-mail ryan.pyette@sunmedia.ca, or follow Ryanpyette on Twitter.