Non-League and Academy football writer

Earlier this year I had the pleasure of interviewing FC Baresi player Marvin Hamilton, for my blog. Since then I have attended numerous FC Baresi matches, in which time the club who play their football at step 7 of the non-League pyramid have won their respective step 7 league (The Essex Alliance League Senior Division), and they will be playing at step 6 next season for the first time in their history. Marvin Hamilton is a Sri Lanka international, having won six international caps for their senior team (scoring one goal), and the 35 year old Londoner is a player who has played the game professionally, as well as at a really good level of non-League. Marvin, a player who said in our interview that former professional footballer and coach Danny Bailey is one of his biggest influences in football, is a player with so much quality and class to his game. Marvin started his professional career at Football League side Gillingham’s academy set-up before rising up the academy levels to feature for their first team on occasions.

After leaving Gillingham in 2008, Marvin Hamilton joined non-League side Dover Athletic, before playing abroad in Cyprus for a while, and then later in Australia. And on his return to England, Marvin has played at a really good level of non-League football, playing for clubs such as Eastbourne Borough, Whitehawk, Haringey Borough and Ware, and during the current 2023/24 season he has been dual registered from step 4 club Hythe Town with step 7 club FC Baresi, with him having spent much of this season playing for the latter. Having watched a good number of games that Marvin has played in for FC Baresi during 2024, I have been really impressed with how Marvin plays the game. He has a real passion for football. Capable of playing in central midfield or in the number ten role, he has been a real creative force on the pitch this season, providing 15 assists for FC Baresi, as well as scoring 11 goals. He has undoubtedly been a key player for FC Baresi throughout the 2023/24 season, being so important to them winning their respective league, and also to them reaching the final of the Essex Alliance League Senior Division Cup final.

Superb with the ball in tight spaces, Marvin is a highly skilful player who likes to get on the ball and create chances. You can tell just from watching Marvin play, that he has played the game professionally. A hard worker on the pitch with a real desire to influence the game, I saw Marvin provide a hat-trick of assists in one Essex Alliance League Senior Division fixture, earlier this season. His reading of the game, passing range and excellent vision for a pass makes him such a crucial player for FC Baresi, and I’m sure that he will continue to excel for them next season at step 6. Marvin’s decision making and ability to assess his options on the pitch so quickly and effectively are also parts of his game which are very impressive, and of course he also has goals to his game. FC Baresi play excellent football, and Marvin Hamilton is a key member of their team, and for the way in which they play the game, with his link-up play and creativity on the ball. As well as being a fantastic footballer, Marvin is also a really nice guy, and looking back on his footballing journey (so far) there is so much for him to be proud of.