City’s new signing on joining up with the Grecians
Exeter City’s latest signing Clinton Morrison says he still has that same hunger and desire to play and win football matches that he has had throughout a long career in the game.The 35-year-old has signed non-contract terms with Exeter, and will be hoping to soon make his first appearance in City colours and add to a career tally of over 700 games, which include 36 appearances for the Republic of Ireland.
The former Crystal Palace and Birmingham City forward departed the Weston Homes Community Stadium in the summer after his contract at Colchester United had expired. Most recently Morrison had been undertaking some media work as well as enjoying football at amateur level with Long Eaton United, on the doorstep of his Nottinghamshire home.
But now he is relishing the opportunity to lace up his boots to play professionally again in Exeter colours in the near future, and revealed that a short break from the pro game has only reinforced his desire to continue to playing as long as he is able.
“I’ve been doing a lot of media work so I was going to concentrate on that, but watching football and going to games this season I have missed playing football,” Morrison said. “I’ve still got that hunger and desire to play.
“I came down here for a couple of days to train and I thoroughly enjoyed it, so I decided to sign.
“I’ve still got that hunger and desire – I think the day you see me step onto that pitch and put the shirt on, you’ll see.
“I don’t take prisoners, I want to win the game and I’m passionate. I’ve just got to keep going, work hard and try to impress my new teammates.
“It’s a good standard at this level and it’s good football. I still love football – when I was training today I really enjoyed it.
“The day when you roll out of bed and you can’t be bothered – that’s when you know it’s time to call it a day, so I’m really glad I’ve got this opportunity to come and play football.”
Clinton joins an Exeter side that are on an upward trajectory, having lost just once in the past dozen Sky Bet League 2 fixtures and sitting three points away from play-off places.
After enjoying his early stint of training with his new teammates, he is hoping to add some value to the City team with his experience of football at a high level and applying that both on and off the field for Exeter.
He also felt that Exeter’s reputation as a good footballing team will suit his style well and help him to contribute.
“I’ve spoken to a lot of people at other clubs that play in this league, and they say that Exeter are one of the best footballing sides here and they have got a lot of good players,” he continued. “Hopefully if I can bring some experience to the team, I can help them out.
“The boys have been brilliant. They’re a great bunch of lads here and there’s a mix of experience and youth. The training has been exciting and I’ve thoroughly enjoyed it, and I’ve been made welcome.
“There is a buzz, you can tell – the lads are enjoying training, it’s lively and everyone has a smile on their face. I’d rather come into a team that are doing well than one that are struggling – I think the club is on the way up again.
“I’ve played against Exeter a lot of times and they always play attractive football under their manager – I spoke him yesterday and he was brilliant, he spoke really well.
“You can see there are a lot of good players here that can pass the ball for fun. Everyone you speak to says Exeter are one of the best passing teams in the league. That’s what I like to do – I like to pass and move so that will help me.
“And hopefully I can bring experience – not just on the pitch, but off the pitch and in the dressing room, and hopefully it could be a good match.”