Darlington’s new signing Liam Marrs says that Quakers have nothing to be afraid of in the National League North next season.

23 year old right back Liam has played in the National League North for Boston United for two seasons, reaching the play offs on each occasion, and now he’s focusing on playing for a club that is located much closer to his home in Cramlington in North Tyneside.

“I enjoyed my time at Boston, but I wanted to play closer to my home in Cramlington. With Darlington getting promoted to the National League North, I thought it was a great opportunity to get a deal with a club closer to home.

“I played for Darlington in a friendly two seasons ago, but I wanted to play as high as I could at the time after I was released by Sunderland, and that turned out to be Boston. I kept in touch with Martin (Gray), and I’ve always been interested in the club and how it’s progressing, so when my contract at Boston came to an end, I rang Martin and asked him if I could sign for Darlington.

“I met him and he told me what his plans are, and everything sounded great, so we managed to work out a deal.

“I live in Cramlington, and I was travelling to Boston on a Thursday for training, and again on Saturdays for matches.

“The travel didn’t affect my performances, but I think what helped make my mind up to move to a club closer to home was an away game for Boston on a Tuesday night at Worcester City. The bus broke down on the way back, and I didn’t get home until 5.30 in the morning, and I was up for work again a couple of hours later. On Boxing Day, we had to play at Lowestoft, which meant that I had to get up at 5am in the morning to travel down there. Every game for me was an away game, the closest match for me was Harrogate Town.

“But despite the travel, I really enjoyed my time at Boston, I played in the play offs with them both seasons, but we lost in the semi finals. Boston has a good set up, with good fans.”

Liam, who works as a football coach on North Tyneside, came through the Academy at Sunderland, and knows a couple of the Darlo players.

“I was at Sunderland from the age of 14 to 21, and I had a really good time, playing professional football. It was my dream to be a pro for all my football career, but it didn’t quite work out. When that happens, you just have to move on.

“I got on the bench four times when Paolo Di Canio was manager, but unfortunately I didn’t get on the field. I was unlucky not to get on once, but the circumstances weren’t right. It was a great experience though, being part of the match day preparations and the atmosphere of a first team game.

“I know a couple of the Darlo lads from our Sunderland days, Jordan Watson and Adam Mitchell, and I know a few of the other lads in the dressing room.”

[caption id="attachment_22358" align="alignnone" width="240"] Liam Marrs[/caption]

Liam knows plenty about play off heartbreak. In this season’s play offs, Boston lost 3-2 to North Ferriby on aggregate after winning the first leg of their semi final 2-0, and in 2014-15 they lost 5-4 on penalties to Chorley in the semi final.

“The league is quite physical and very competitive. Some teams like to get the ball down and play, but most are quite direct. There are a lot of experienced players, and others who have been good pros, like Marlon Harewood who is now at Nuneaton.

“But there’s nothing to be afraid of. Fylde, for example, won promotion to this league not long ago and they just lost in the play offs. There are teams with a lot of big players who try to intimidate you, but I think we’ll cope.

“We’ve got to go out and play our own game. I think we’ll do well in this league, there are some very good players at the club, and it’s going forward in the right direction.”