MARVIN MORGAN 1983 – 2021
LEGENDARY former Wealdstone boss Gordon Bartlett managed hundreds of players but few left the everlasting impression that Marvin Morgan did.
Tributes have been paid to the popular ex-striker, who died this week at the age of 38 after collapsing on a work trip abroad.
Morgan, born in Manchester, began his long playing career at Wealdstone in 2000 after breaking into Bartlett’s senior team.
At 16, he became the Stones youngest-ever scorer and an instant hit, going on to net 56 goals in 187 appearances over four years.
After helping the club win promotion from into the Isthmian League Premier via a dramatic play-off final victory on penalties, Yeading signed Morgan for a fee and he left as a club legend.
“I’m the world’s worst for keeping in contact with old players but they leave a mark and Marvin left one of the biggest ones because he was such a character,” Bartlett, who was Wealdstone manager for 22 years, told The NLP. “The fans took to him and nicknamed him Starvin’ Marvin. He was lean, well over six foot, quick and raw, but I liked him, I felt he deserved a chance.”
Morgan was the first player from Wealdstone’s newly formed academy to make the step up into Bartlett’s side which led the way for the likes of Ben Alexander, Richard Jolly and Jermaine Beckford – the former Leeds United striker – to also breakthrough.
“It was massive for us at the time,” said Bartlett.
“In those days we had no ground, no money and we were struggling. Had we not bridged the gap the club might not have been in existence, it was that bad.
“From Marvin being the first we then had numerous lads that came through. He grasped the opportunity in a way that was different. He had a character about him and a sire to do well.” desire to do well.”
Wisdom
Wealdstone have never looked back since reaching Step 3 and the impact Morgan had on the club at that time is still well remembered.
“It was a luxury to have all those young players at that time,” said Bartlett. “My biggest memory of him was an FA Trophy game on a Friday night when we played Thurrock, who were well-backed at the time and doing very well.
“I’d gone to watch them the week before and they put eight past Bognor, it frightened me! In my infinite wisdom I decided to play the three youngsters up front and three at the back. We were one down inside two minutes, I remember thinking, ‘What have I done? We’re going to get hammered!’ But we ended up beating them, it was a giant killing, and Marvin got the winner! I haven’t got the best memory but it’s one of the few games I look back on and remember so well.”
Morgan was destined for greater things and after three successful seasons at Yeading he moved into the Conference Premier with Woking.
Aldershot Town signed him for a club record fee following their promotion out of Non- League and ex-boss Gary Waddock gave Morgan his Football League debut as the Shots won on their opening day return.
“That was a great day, a great memory for everyone associated with the club, none more so than the players and Marvin,” said Waddock. “He was just a great guy with the players in the dressing room. A big personality, a big character, he got on with everybody, he had a great smile. He was infectious around the place, his enthusiasm for the game. He brought so much to the club just as a person.”
Awareness
Morgan was as influential off the pitch as he was on it. After Aldershot, he signed for Shrewsbury Town, won promotion into League One and set up his fashion brand Fresh Ego Kid which has become a major hit among footballers and celebrities, including David Beckham.
Chelsea striker Romelu Lukaku, Arsenal’s Pierre-Emerick Aubameyang and Manchester United captain Harry Maguire are among the dreds to have paid hun- their tributes.
His cause of death has not yet been confirmed but Morgan took medication to treat a rare Cavernoma –a cluster of abnormal blood vessels, usually found in the brain and spinal cord which causes seizures, strokes and, in the worst cases, premature death.
Morgan, before his diagnosis, had collapsed while training with Plymouth Argyle following a nocturnal seizure. He maintained a positive outlook on his condition by raising awareness and helping other people with it.
Morgan also founded Fresh Ego FC, a team which aims to raise awareness of issues surrounding mental health and racism by engaging with local schools and youth football to inspire young people and also raise money for charities.
He returned to Non-League in 2015 with Havant & Waterlooville and closed out his successful playing career at the likes of Bath City, Hendon, Beaconsfield Town, Hornchurch and Potters Bar Town – all of whom paid tribute.
“He was the raw diamond,” said Bartlett. “Those long legs used to wrap around players and he would score goals from ridiculous positions. The one thing you’d always get from Marvin, though, was that he’d always give his best.”
