Interview Marvel Ekpiteta

MARVEL EKPITETA

Interview

Introduce yourself… ( Who are you ? )

My names Marvel Ekpiteta I’m a professional footballer for Newport County.

What are your specific qualities as defender ?

My specific qualities as a defender are that I enjoying defending so tackling, heading, blocks etc and I’m also very athletic.

Ekpiteta you began your career in the youth academies of Oxford United FC and Stevenage FC. How did you experience these periods ?

I took part in a u17 course at Oxford United which was if you was successful you got awarded a 2 year scholarship but I didn’t get it at the end of the season so I had to look for a new club so I spent a lot of my second year at Stevenage on trial but I wasn’t offered a pro contract at the end of the season so I dropped into non-league straight after that.

In 2014, you began your senior career at North Greenford United FC, and you played there two seasons. Did you noticed a lot of difference between your youth academies and senior career ?

North Greenford United was a great eye opener for me because at academy level you play on nice pitches majority of the time and the football is more about development and not really about winning but when I joined North Greenford they were a struggling team in that league so every match was a real fight and everything was about getting a positive result regardless of how you played it was only about getting points.

After your time at North Greenford United, you have played at several football clubs. At which club did you learned the most?

I think the club I learnt the most at was Bishop Stortford in the 2017-2018 season with Kevin Watson before that I wasn’t really getting consistent games and the managers before that didn’t really believe in me the way he did so he gave me a lot of confidence which is when I think people started becoming aware of me so I owe a lot to Kev.

In 2018, you signed for Hungerford Town FC, where you made 36 league appearances during the season. Why did you leave Hungerford Town FC ?

Even though I learnt a lot at Bishop Stortford, the season I played Hungerford Town Fc was my best season to date I felt like I was confident throughout the season and my performances were consistent, it also helped that Kevin Watson was the assistant at the club and Ian Herring the manager showed a lot of faith in me and they both brought out the best in me. I left Hungerford due to be offered a contract at Newport County my aim has always been to get into the football league so I couldn’t turn that down.

On 15 June 2019, you signed a two year contract with League Two club Newport County AFC. How important was that moment for you ?

It was a proud moment for me and my family it felt like a reward for all my hard work over the years playing for different non-league teams so it was a dream come true to finally make that breakthrough that I had been pushing for.

In September 2019, you made your professional debut in an in the EFL Trophy match. How important was that match for you? And how did you felt at that moment?

It was a great moment to finally make my professional debut in the cup but I’m pushing and hoping to make my league debut soon.

What are your personal goals this season?

My personal goals are to help Ebbsfleet get up the league during my loan and get in as many games as possible until Jan so that I’m ready to go back to Newport and fight for my place and get into the team.

What’s your ultimate dream?

My ultimate dream is to keep improving, fly up the leagues and play the highest level possible.

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