Marcus Wyllie’s move to Gillingham happened so quickly the Enfield Town hot-shot even had to miss the last day of term!
The 25-year-old has become the first player the Towners have ever received a fee for after the League Two Gills came calling.
Wyllie fired 34 goals last season as Enfield were promoted to National League South through the Isthmian Premier play-offs.
And after being watched by Kenny Jackett in their friendly with Arsenal, the whirlwind began.
A phone call alerting him of the interest came on the way home and by Friday he was having a medical – after being excused from the last day of his day job as a Behaviour Manager at a Special Education school.
“I had to miss our last day but they were very understanding,” Wyllie told The NLP. “They had an inkling and follow how my football is going so they were really pleased for me.”
Trials
Wyllie’s path to League football has been unique.
Born in Cyprus, he was in APOEL’s youth set-up until moving to England when he was 17.
He played football at sixth form and had trials with MK Dons and Yeovil before joining Chesham United reserves and later, aged 18, moving to Risborough Rangers, then in Step 6, before winning promotion on PPG after Covid.
The frontman also played for Nottingham Trent University, while continuing at Risborough where he hit 36 goals in the Spartan South Midlands Premier as they finished second but were denied promotion on ground grading grounds.
A move to Enfield Town followed but it was the arrival of manager Gavin Macpherson and a move back to a central position that changed everything.
“It made a massive difference,” Wyllie said. “Jon Nurse (assistant manager) came in too. He’s played in the League, was a striker and he helped me massively in training and games. With the help of my teammates I found myself in really good positions to score and create chances.
Challenge
“I did hope something would come but as were getting closer to the season I wasn’t too sure.
“Obviously we went up so that made a difference because it would be a new league and new challenge. But I always wanted to go into professional football.”
He added: “Gillingham is a great club. Everyone is really welcoming and there is a really good feeling around the club – especially among the players.
“Hopefully I can kick on in that professional set-up and see where it can take me.”
Boss Macpherson told The NLP: “He’s got a natural ability to play off the shoulder.
“I don’t look at this as, ‘It’s a bit of a chance from Gillingham’s point of view’. I think they’ve got a player who naturally finds the net and if he’s presented with those opportunities, he will continue to.”
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