Much-travelled goalkeeper Marlon Beresford began his career in South Yorkshire with Sheffield Wednesday and now he looks set to end his playing days in the same county after signing for local rivals Barnsley on an 18-month deal. The journeyman feels that he has finally come 'home' and Barnsley boss Gudjon Thordarson is delighted with his latest piece of transfer business. "It was important to get a quality new keeper and Beresford is obviously a player with ability," Thordarson said. "I'm really relieved at last to have him in my side. I've been aware of him for a long while." Givemefootball's Lawrie Madden caught up with Marlon after he'd put pen to paper for the Tykes.
Q:WAS IT A HARD DECISION TO COME BACK UP TO THIS PART OF THE COUNTRY?
A:No, far from it. I am just delighted to be back home and to be with my family, and Barnsley is within commuting distance which Luton unfortunately wasn't. Commuting from Middlesborough to Luton was very hard on the family.
Q:DID YOU ENJOY YOUR TIME AT LUTON - THE TRAVELLING ASIDE?
A:Yes, I loved it at Luton and will be grateful that they gave me a chance to play for them. But the club was in administration and I was on a month's contract at a time. I am 34 years old, have a family and Barnsley have come in and offered me an 18-month deal. It was too good a move to turn down. I will be 35 in September so everything after that in terms of playing is a bonus.
Q:YOU ALMOST WENT TO BARNSLEY LAST SUMMER DIDN'T YOU?
A:Yes. Gudjon came in for me and we spoke about coming to Barnsley but then I got injured and he said that he couldn't commit to me while I was injured. But he said that when I got fit he would look at the situation and come back in for me, and he was true to his word.
Q:DO YOU FEEL THAT BARNSLEY CAN PUSH ON FOR A PLAY-OFF PLACE THIS SEASON?
A:I think our aim has to be promotion. We are in a great position. We have two new lads up front who played exceptionally well against Blackpool in midweek and if you don't concede many goals you have got a very good chance. The two forwards were pacey, lively and created a lot of goalscoring opportunities so you will always have a chance.
Q:IS AN AUTOMATIC PROMOTION PLACE AN UNREALISTIC TARGET?
A:I know a lot of people say that Plymouth and QPR are head and shoulders ahead above everyone else but this division is wide open and I think there are a lot of teams in with a chance and I believe if we can keep clean sheets we have the ability to go on and mount a challenge.
Q:WHAT DO YOU FEEL YOU ARE BRINGING TO BARNSLEY?
A:Experience, I hope. I would like to think that I will bring assuredness and hopefully transmit that to the defence. I watched the game against Blackpool and we looked solid at the back so I am really looking forward to playing in my first game on Saturday at Notts County.
Q:WHAT DO YOU MAKE OF THIS DIVISION?
A:A lot of teams try and play football. You don't get as much quality as you would like all the time but it is a good standard and there are some quality players in this division.
Q:IT WASN'T SO LONG AGO THAT BARNSLEY WERE IN THE PREMIERSHIP - CAN THEY RETURN TO THE TOP FLIGHT?
A:It may take a while as the game has changed quite a bit in the last few years. But Barnsley have the facilities in place and the expectation levels are high and I believe we have a squad of players capable of promotion this season.
