Borough new boy turned down Trophy winners (From The Argus)

Borough new boy turned down Trophy winners

10:00am Wednesday 10th June 2009

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Liam Marum admits he turned down offers to join bigger clubs after instantly falling in love with Eastbourne Borough.

The 21-year-old striker was a target for FA Trophy winners Stevenage among others after his contract expired at relegated Woking at the end of the season.

Marum opted for Borough instead, despite the fact it is a two-hour drive from his Essex home, after being impressesd by what he saw at Priory Lane.

He said: “I got a call from Nick (Greenwood, assistant manager) out of the blue and he asked me to come down for a chat. I had a two-hour meeting with Nick and Garry (Wilson, manager) and they really sold the club to me.

“They told me everything about the club from their ambitions for the future, the way they get fans involved and the club’s work in the community and I fell in love.

“I phoned my dad up straight away and told him this is the club for me. The whole set up is exactly what I am looking for and I couldn’t wait to sign on the dotted line.

“It is a family club and that is really important to me. I am from a big family myself and my mum and dad are foster carers so I have grown up with that kind of thing.

“There were a few clubs interested in signing me and Stevenage is only 20 minutes from my house but that doesn’t matter.

“Coming to Eastbourne just felt right. I can’t wait for the new season to start and have been nagging Garry to send me the schedule for pre-season.”

Marum is no stranger to Sussex having had a trial with Albion as a 17-year-old three years ago after being released by Reading.

He failed to earn a contract despite impressing during pre-season and joined Cambridge United, where he played with Borough midfielder Danny Brown.

Marum scored three goals in 16 games for United before joining Woking where he has managed just nine goals in 79 league games.

Despite such a poor scoring record Marum insists he can become the prolific striker Borough have been looking for and believes Priory Lane could be the place where he finally realises his potential.

Marum added: “When I was younger I used to score on a regular basis so I know I can do it.

“Things haven’t gone my way since I was released by Reading though. I thought I did well when I went to Albion but unfortunately nothing came of it.

“I scored a few goals in pre-season, went on the tour to France and was getting very positive feedback but when we got back they said I was too like the other players they had, which was fair enough.

“I started to doubt myself a bit after that. I’m not making excuses but I wasn’t playing week in week out and I was played out of position and that affected my confidence.

“Hopefully this season I will play regularly as a centre forward and if I do I know I can score 20 goals with the right service.

“A lot of people have said I have got potential and Garry and Nick have obviously seen something in me so now it is time to deliver.”

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