Marley's trip of a lifetime

London is calling for 13-year-old Marley Davis. And Manchester, as well as Watford and Leicester!

The Scarborough resident will jet off next week on a footballing trip of a lifetime with a George Cowie Football - West Ham United UK tour.

Marley's itinerary shows he will first train at West Ham under the  English Premier League (EPL) club’s academy coaches and Championship club Watford.

The two-week tour, from March 26-April 7, then goes north to train in Manchester at Premier League giants United (who Marley supports) and City.

EPL games such as Chelsea v Burnley and Manchester City v Aston Villa are possibilities, as well as Championship clashes Watford v Leeds and Leicester v Norwich.

There may also be trip to see Matildas keeper Mackenzie Arnold in Women's Premier League (WPL) action for West Ham against Brighton!

“I’m looking forward to it,” said the Peninsula Power Under 14 player, “a bit nervous about the flights, but other than that I’m really excited.

“It will be a great experience, meeting people over there, like the West Ham coaches.”

Marley’s sporting journey began at a Peninsula Power holiday program, run in partnership with George Cowie Football, at Bradley Park last year.

From there the Southern Cross student was invited to the George Cowie Football National Camp, run with West Ham, on the Gold Coast.

Players were put through their paces and assessed by coaches looking at their technique, shooting and passing.

“The first one (at Bradley Park) was doing basic things, but the national camp was more difficult, more technique involved.

“The coaches said I was in with a chance of making the tour. Then an email came through saying I had been chosen and I was really happy.”

Marley’s football career started at Redcliffe PCYC (now Redcliffe Dolphins Soccer Club) before moving to Power three years ago.

George Cowie played for West Ham United in the late 1970s and early 1980s. He also played for Hearts in the top Scottish League before injury cut short his playing career.

Cowie came to Australia and coached Wynnum Wolves to the Queensland Cup, Sunshine Coast to the Premiership double and has overseen football tours to the UK for 17 years.