“A strong, combative defensive midfielder” is how Boro’ gaffer Alex Revell described Ross Marshall after landing him during the 2020 close season. The 20-year-old was the fourth new addition to our squad that summer; coming to us from Maidstone United of National League South after impressing our scouting party. Revs admitted that Marshall was “still young and learning the position” – but there was definitely no shortage of faith he’d grow into the role awaiting him at the Lamex. And how we’d missed having a rock in midfield.
Ross Marshall: Before Boro’
Marshall signed for Ipswich Town in July 2014 after leaving Broxbourne Borough as a lad. While at Portman Road, he turned out for their U23 side. But first team action only came when out on loan; first at Lowestoft Town in spring 2018, and then Braintree Town in early 2019. With a pathway to the Tractor Boys’ first team not opening up, the midfielder left in search of regular first team action – finding it down in Kent..
Revell’s opinion of Marshall’s summer 2019 move isn’t one that you can really argue with: “He has shown he is a strong character by leaving U23s football at Ipswich to go and play every week against men and test himself.”
He certainly showed his combative side while playing for the Stones during the 2019-20 campaign too. Marshall picked up two red cards in three games; the first coming against Kings Langley in an FA Cup clash, which the FA later rescinded. The second came in a 1-1 draw with his former club, Braintree.