Maidstone United winger Mark Marshall can see himself still playing at 40

Maidstone winger Mark Marshall has an eye on playing into his 40s.

Marshall, 35, played for some big clubs during a 14-year Football League career, including Coventry, Bradford and Charlton.

He’s back where it all started, in non-league football, following his move to the Gallagher last month.

But the passion for football burns as brightly as ever and he intends to keep going and going.

“Everything goes full circle,” said Marshall, who started his career with Isthmian League Carshalton in 2005.

“For me, I respect any level I’m playing at.

“I’ve not come to this level thinking, ‘Oh no, I’ve dropped down to the National League’.

“I’m going to respect the level, I’m going to prepare myself properly, physically and mentally, and I’m going to respect the players I’m playing against.

"It’s very important to respect other people’s hard work and to respect your own work.

“That’s how you get the best out of yourself.

“Hopefully, by respecting the level, you can excel.

“It’s easy to respect the level because I love the game.

“Anything you have passion for, you’re going to respect it, the ups, the downs and the in betweens.

“I enjoy playing football. That’s why I’m still playing and I’m trying to go on as long as possible.

“Every senior pro I’ve ever spoken to, who's retired, they always say play as long as possible because you’re a long time retired.

“That’s what I’m going to do and when it is time to hang the boots up, I’ll go and play Sunday league.

“Could I still be playing at 40? Absolutely. I definitely feel I’ve got the dynamism to continue to get past players and put crosses in or get shots off.

"Once the body gives up, Sunday league it is.”

Marshall joined Maidstone last month, having left League 2 club Crawley in