Marc Weatherstone

Published: 15 August, 2013
by STEVE BARNETT

TOUGH-TACKLING Marc Weatherstone admits he’s adopted more of a keep-calm and-carry-on approach to match days after being named captain of Ryman Premier League side Wingate and Finchley.

The 25-year-old centre-back, who lives in Holloway, enjoyed a dream start as skipper on Saturday when he scored in a 4-0 win over Carshalton Athletic at the Harry Abrahams Stadium.

Marc (pictured) was also on target against the Metropolitan Police on Tuesday night, although the celebrations were somewhat more muted as the Blues slipped to a 3-1 defeat.

Two league games into his reign and Marc, who works as a PE teacher at St Edward’s Primary School in Westminster, said he’s shown the red card to any selfish streak that he’d displayed during games.

“It’s a big responsibility and I love responsibility,” he said. “I’ve suddenly found myself approaching games differently.

“When you’ve got a squad of more than 20 players to be given the captain’s armband is a great honour. Last season, I only really focused on myself and my performance during games. At times I used to lose my head very quickly, especially with referees. But now I have to behave myself and focus on what is best for the team and the supporters.”

Having started his footballing career with Tufnell Boys in the Camden and Islington Midweek Youth League, Marc first came to our attention back in 1999 when we covered his progress as a youth player at West Ham United.

An eight-year stay at the Hammers ended when he was 15 after he briefly fell out of love with the game.

But it wasn’t long before the craving to start playing again kicked back in. He enjoyed short spells at Luton and Barnet before joining Dagenham and Redbridge, where he received his first-ever pay packet.

As he enters his fifth season with Wingate and Finchley everything is coming together nicely for Marc. In fact the only thing he feels is missing is even more supporters.

“It would be great to see more fans coming to cheer us on. Obviously getting tickets for the Arsenal isn’t easy, so why not join us for kick-off instead and enjoy some real grass-roots football?”