National League North & South

Port will get the best of Carver

Liam Watson is convinced Marcus Carver can enjoy his football again at Southport after the striker returned on season-long loan from Scunthorpe United.

by
The Non-League Football Paper Team
2 July 2023

By Neil Harvey

PEDIGREE: Marcus Carver, in action for Hartlepool, has returned to Southport and boss Liam Watson, inset

PICTURE: Alamy

LIAM WATSON is convinced Marcus Carver can enjoy his football again at Southport after the striker returned on season-long loan from Scunthorpe United.

The 29-year-old has scored 23 goals – 18 of them in the league – in 50 appearances for the Sandgrounders across two spells.

He finished the campaign on loan with Watson’s side but it was his form from his first time at the club that landed a move to Hartepool United in January 2022.

Carver, who won promotion to the National League with Chorley in 2019, joined Scunthorpe last August and made 20 appearances.

And Watson says the ex-Accrington Stanley forward is keen to rediscover his best at a place he knows well.

Watson said: “We all know what he can do, he gave us a lift when he came in on loan last season, on and off the pitch.

“He hasn’t enjoyed the best of times since leaving Southport and from speaking to him he wants to get back to a place he knows he is loved and enjoy his football again.”

Port, who finished 18th last season and a point above the relegation zone, begin their pre-season campaign on Friday night when they host relegated Championship outfit Blackpool.

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