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After progressing through the youth system at near neighbours Crewe Alexandra, 6'0 tall Marshall, along with central midfielder Matthew Lund, moved to the Britannia Stadium in early July 2009 on a two year professional contract after rejecting a similar offer from the Railwaymen.
Marshall at the time being described by Stoke Academy Manager Steve Holland, who knew the player from his time at Crewe, as : "an attacking player who can play up front and on the right wing, He can score and make goals and is comparable to a Liam Lawrence type in the current squad."
He started the season out on loan to Northampton in League Two though where he spent three months, making 14 starts, four substitute appearances and scoring two goals before he returned to the Britannia Stadium in early November. Ben though going straight back to League Two with Cheltenham Town just a week later where he spent a month and made six starts and scored two goals - both of those coming in a 5-1 home win over Barnet.
With just one game under his belt in almost two months, that being a full 90 minutes in a 1-0 reserve team defeat away to Birmingham a fortnight ago, it looks likely that Ben will need a match or two to get up to full playing fitness. A place for him on the bench away to Colchester tomorrow evening looking the most likely situation for the 18-year old.
First Team Transfers 2009-10 : Click here