John Marsden prefers the life of a footballer to a career in the real ale business.
It is not a choice many have to make, but the Southport striker has already had a taste of life outside the game, helping out with the family micro-brewery when he was without a club.
But give him boots over barrels, bottles and barley any day.
Derby County v Southport
The FA Cup
Third Round Proper
iPro Stadium, Derby
3pm, Saturday 3 January 2015
Winners receive £67,500
As he prepares to lead the line for his Conference Premier team in The FA Cup Third Round at Championship high-flyers Derby County on Saturday, the 22-year-old is eager to show he has a head for the occasion.
“You want to get a big club and after a Premier League team you can’t get much better,” Marsden said. “It’s a good test for everyone, and with the exception of one or two it is probably the biggest game anyone has played in.
“It’s a brilliant platform, a showcase, but it is all about the team, and going out there and getting a good result.
Derby’s iPro Stadium will be a welcome diversion for Southport, who are battling in the lower reaches of the fifth tier, but Marsden will not feel overawed.
The Melwood lad, whose family home backs on to Liverpool’s training ground, was marked out for success as a teenager when playing for Liverpool Schoolboys.
John Marsden says Southport are the perfect side for him as he rebuilds his career. Julia Urwin/Southport FC
He was prolific, breaking records set by Robbie Fowler, and at 16 moved north when Celtic came calling.
“There was interest from Everton and Liverpool but at Celtic I just felt that there was a better chance to get into first-team football,” he said.
“Liverpool had just signed Fernando Torres so I didn’t feel they would necessarily be promoting from their youth teams.
“I thought that Celtic would give me a good platform to progress in both my physical and mental side of the game.”
“I can’t wait to get out there. The ultimate goal is to be in the Football League and beyond. I believe in myself and I feel I can do that”
John Marsden
Southport striker
Marsden was rated highly at Celtic but at 18 broke a foot, and was eventually released.
He scored prolifically for ninth-tier Stockport Sports as he tried to rebuild his career in the game.
That form earned him a year at Stoke City, but after failing to break through, League Two Shrewsbury came up with a deal at the start of last season.
“I played through pre-season and started really well, played every game, and scored a couple of goals,” he said.
“But in the second game of the season I broke my foot. Then when I came back in January the same bone went again.
"It was heartbreaking. I’m grateful for everything that Shrewsbury did but an injury like that killed off my chances.”
Marsden left Shrewsbury in January 2014, and as he recovered from injury, was given a hoppy taste of life outside the professional game.
“My mum and dad, Julie and John, own a micro-brewery called the Melwood Beer Company,” he said.
Gary Brabin has helped Southport turn a corner. Julia Urwin/Southport FC
“I helped out where I could. That was a good experience to see what that side of life was about.
“It’s going really well for them but it’s real ale, so I wouldn’t really touch it myself.
“When I’m down there I’ve got to be in and about it but it’s not for me!”
Last summer Southport offered Marsden a route back into the game and a chance to do what he does best.
He said: “Being a footballer is my job. I’ve always played professionally. Martin Foyle, the previous manager, brought me in and I have been trying to make up for lost time.
“It is a chance for me to put a marker down but I am just glad to be playing football. Just to play 20 games this season is a bonus.”
Saturday’s Cup tie has been the talk of the town in Southport.
“People are going into it optimistically. We’re massive underdogs but hopefully we can go in there and cause an upset,” he said.
“The fans have been great this season. They’ve been behind us all the way and we have a couple of thousand going down to Derby to cheer us on.
“Whatever the result it will be a decent day out for the fans, but hopefully we can give them something back in terms of a performance.”
Marsden is keen to play down the personal significance of such a tie – but he sees a chance to show what he can do.
“We were a tight group but we feel even closer now. There is a sense of self-belief in the team and not just as individuals”
John Marsden
“I can’t wait to get out there. The ultimate goal is to be in the Football League and beyond. I believe in myself and I feel I can do that.
“But at Southport I’ve had a lot of faith shown in me by both the former manager Martin Foyle and now Gary Brabin. It’s the best place for me.”
Marsden is full of praise for Southport’s manager Brabin, who began his third stint at the Sandgrounders in October.
“He’s only been here for two or three months but a lot has changed already,” Marsden said.
“We were a tight group but we feel even closer now. There is a sense of self-belief in the team and not just as individuals. He has really got us playing in the way that he wants and that we want.”
Brabin’s post-match analysis may be a little easier on Saturday night – when Southport will take their place on Match of the Day.
Marsden said: “All the players and their families will be recording that one!
“I’ve got mine set up at my mum’s. Everyone watches Match of the Day. To be on that is amazing.”
Marsden might not have a taste for the family drop, but some of the choices are compelling: Derby Pale or Derby Stout.
An upset may be brewing.
