This is the first in a series of features highlighting players who apply their trade in the lower leagues, but could easily move up to the higher echelons of the football pyramid.
This week sees us dip down as low as the Blue Square Premier to follow the progress of Stevenage Borough striker Steve Morison, whose currently top scorer of the Conference with 20 goals already this season.
Morison began his career with Northampton Town after failed trials with Leicester City, but his first experience of the football league didn’t quiet work out.
After just 24 appearances for the club a fall out with manager Colin Calderwood spelled the end of his time at the Sixfields, and he moved down to Blue Square South side Bishop’s Stortford.
The move proved as a perfect antidote for Morison’s Northampton heartache as he banged in 28 goals in 55 games for the non-league side.
This impressive goal-scoring record attracted interest from the Conference promotion contenders Stevenage, who duly signed the striker in 2006.
His impact was almost immediate; as he scored the winning goal in his first season in the FA Trophy Final as Stevenage came from two goals down to win 3-2 over Kidderminster Harriers.
He was instantly written into Stevenage folklaw, and he followed up the Wembley winner with 22 goals the next season, installing himself as indispensable to the Stevenage promotion cause, which while Morison was flowering in the division was constantly being hindered by underachievement.
It’s this constant disappointment that has always linked Morison away from the club, something that led to him submitting a transfer request, something that almost resulted in a move to Crewe Alexandra in 2008.
Even with constant rumors of unrest, the striker has been nothing less than professional and his contribution has been fantastic for Graham Westley’s men.
His role within the club’s progress is such that Westley has said time and again he would sell off other players to keep Morison in the squad.
Morison should be commended for his commitment so far, but at the age of 25 it seems that it is finally time for the pivotal player to move on.
Terms in the players contract state he is free to leave if the club aren’t promoted this season, a promotion race that sees Borough outside the play-offs by a single point.
As apprehensive as the home support would be about losing the striker, the development of what is a great talent is surely the most important thing, with the club failing time and time again to be promoted, it would hardly be Morison betraying the club that he’s done so much for.
His performances this season have suggested no signs of unrest on the players part, as he continues to bang in goals left right and centre, helping Stevenage again reach the FA Trophy Final last week, disposing of holders Ebbsfleet United.
If Stevenage can’t gain promotion through the play-offs then Morison’s last act as a Borough player could be to lead the side in the Trophy Final, just like he did in his first season just two years ago.
A player of the calibre of Morison shouldn’t be allowed to reside in the Conference for much longer, and a second Wembley appearance could re-invigorate the player onto greater things in a second spell in the Football League.
Being Cheeky
12 years ago
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