AFC Totton
MARCEL McINTOSH RETURNS to the Snows Stadium on a permanent deal, following his release from Norwich City.
The versatile 20-year-old made six starts and two appearances as substitute while on loan with The Stags during the end-of-season run-in last term, culminating in the Final of the Servio Hampshire Senior Cup against AFC Portchester at Aldershot Town’s EBB Stadium on Friday 10 May.
Despite a damp end to a season that had promised so much for Jimmy Ball’s men, it was still a valuable learning experience for former Forest Green Rovers youngster McIntosh, who relished the chance to link up with his mentor Jimmy Ball, once again.
“I learned a lot from being here last season. The standards they demand at this club are very high, and it was great to get the chance to play more minutes at the senior men’s level.
“Once Norwich City let me know they wouldn’t be offering me a new deal, I had several options available from clubs higher up the pyramid. But, already knowing Totton as a club, and how Jimmy Ball and his staff like to work, and knowing most of the players in the dressing room, I knew this was the right choice for me at this stage of my football career.
“It’s important that I get as many minutes and opportunities to play as I can. I know I won’t get handed anything easily at this club, I’ll have to work for it like everyone else, but I trust Jimmy and I’m happy to put that work in to earn my place in the team.”
IMPACT: Marcel McIntosh stepped off the bench and set-up AFC Totton's goal at Westbury United in last weekend's Emirates FA Cup tie.
McIntosh’s second-half cameo at Westbury United last weekend was arguably the only bright spark of Totton’s dismal departure from the Emirates FA Cup, with the ever-energetic wide-man providing the cross for Scott Rendell’s late consolation goal. In midweek, he was the Man of the Match in AFC Totton U23s’ 6-1 win at Dorchester Town, in which he contributed two goals.
“It was great to get a full 90 minutes under my belt. It was a bit different to be one of the senior players for a change, in a very young side. But I thought we all played well and I enjoyed it.
“I’ve come here to play first team football but, as I say, I trust Jimmy, and if he wants me to play in the U23s to get my fitness up and earn my chance in the team, then that’s what I’m going to do. I’m confident in my ability and my general fitness is good, so I’m here to make a positive contribution.
“We all know that the target is to win the league this season and to win automatic promotion as Champions. We know this team is good enough, but we have to produce performances of the right quality out there on the pitch, which we obviously didn’t do as a team last week. But there are a lot of experienced players in the team and the mood at training on Tuesday night was very good and positive from the whole group.
“Bad results will happen from time-to-time. We don’t dwell on it; we just put that one behind us and make sure we respond with a better game in the next match. I enjoyed playing in the U23s game at Dorchester and, if I’m named in the squad on Saturday, I’ll be ready to give my best for the team, again.”
Manager Jimmy Ball, said: “It’s great to have Marcel back at the club. He did well for us at the end of last season, even when the going got tough for the whole team in some of those last games. He’s a player I know very well, and I know he has a lot to give at this level. I believe he can go on to bigger and better things in good time but in the meantime, I’m delighted to have him here playing his football for AFC Totton.”
By Ben Rochey-Adams
Image courtesy of Sayers Sports Photography
