By Neil Ravenscroft
August 6 2003

Last night we celebrated the testimonial of a great club servant. This morning, we have to mourn the retirement from the game of another. Chris Marsh has announced his retirement from the game.

Marshy, now 33, was released by Northampton Town at the end of the season has decided to call time on a career that included 13 years with Walsall.

In an interview on the official site, he says:

"I was relegated three times and promoted three times with the club so you could say that it was a roller-coaster ride. There were some memorable moments like when I marked David Beckham in our FA Cup clash at Manchester United and scored against Leeds.
The promotion campaigns are also memories that I will treasure, particularly the 1998/99 season when we defied the odds to go up as runners-up behind Fulham and I scored in our promotion-clinching game against Oldham.
It is fair to say that I took some stick during my time at the club, but I would like to think that by the time I left I had won the fans over. The club will always be close to my heart and I am looking forward to making regular visits to Bescot to watch games this season.
The club has changed so much over the years, even in the couple of years that I have been away. There is a much more professional outlook with some outstanding facilities. With players of the calibre of Paul Merson and Vinny Samways in the side I can see no reason why a push for the Play-Offs is not possible".

Marshy will always be a hero to fans of the nineties generation, and will, of course, be remembered for the famous step-over which was a regular feature of his play.

He says in the interview, "I used to idolise Chris Waddle and the step-over was something that I picked up from watching him in action.
Walsall supporters still come up to me and talk about it today and yes, I did practice it during training sessions and received my fair share of stick about it from the rest of the
lads!"

Marshy was born in Dudley and arrived at Fellows Park as a teenager.
He signed professional forms in July 1988 and played in a total of 479 games for the club. He played in a variety of positions, mainly right back and right midfield, but also appeared in virtually every position on the pitch, even being the back up goal keeper.
Not that popular at first, he grew in the affections of the fans as his career progressed and many were geuinely sad to see him leave when the final parting of the ways came. He had, by that time, become something of a legend in his own lifetime.

"I have been fortunate enough to play alongside some great players during my time at Walsall".
The likes of David Kelly, Willie Naughton, Martin O'Connor, James Walker and Wayne Clarke are all class acts. The list could go on and on, but of them all I would say that Jeff Peron was the best.
He was a phenominal talent, with breath-taking skill and ability".

Marshy is preparing to launch his own courier business, 'Marsh Express', as opart of his new life outside of football. (Any supporters wishing to use 'Marsh Express', the same day - next day, 24-hour nationwide courier service, call 07932 556 634!). In an era of players moving on for mercenary reasons, we have been exceptionally lucky to have two in recent years to receive their testimonials for ten years service. We can but wish Marshy the very best of luck in the future.