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Another Milestone for Marcus

Sat, 30/01/2021 - 18:28

Glens captain Marcus Kane made his 300th appearance for Glentoran in our Danske Bank Premiership draw at Inver Park last night. To mark the milestone the club Chairman, Stephen Henderson presented him with a souvenir commemorative first team shirt with the legend Kane 300 on the back.

Marcus, who is 29, joined Glentoran from Linfield in July 2012 after a season on loan at Carrick Rangers. He made his debut in a 3-1 home win over Donegal Celtic on 11th August 2012, scoring his first goal in an away League Cup win over Institute two months later.

Graphic by Beth Stafford

In his nine seasons with the club Moko has played left midfield, centre midfield and centre back before establishing himself in his preferred position of left back during Mick McDermott’s arrival at Glentoran.  centre midfield this season. He has scored some spectacular long range strikes in his 30 first team goals. Most memorably those at Coleraine, Carrick, Linfield and most recently our late equaliser at Ballymena in December. But for all the spectacular goals he has scored, most people would agree that Moko’s most important goal for the club was undoubtedly in his first season when as a second half sub he scored the only goal of the game in our Irish Cup semi-final over Portadown.

Eddie Patterson, who signed Marcus back in 2012 and who was manager for the first two of his three Irish Cup wins, paid a glowing tribute this week:

“I first came across Moko when I was Manager of Cliftonville, he played against the Reds for a Linfield team that were champions for a few seasons, and he scored. He impressed me with his attitude as a young player and was great in the air. When I went to Glentoran in February 2012 he was on loan at Carrick and I watched to see what was happening at the end of that season as he was a free agent. I met with him after that season and after a bit of persuasion he decided to join us, and he hasn’t looked back.

When Elliott decided he didn’t want the captaincy any longer as he wanted to concentrate on his own game, I made Marcus vice-captain to Mackers and he has taken on the captaincy now Mackers is gone and doesn’t look out of place. He pops up with important goals as he did in the Irish Cup semi-final against the Ports at Windsor to take us to the final. He has firmly become a Glens favourite with the fans and just proves his past with the Blues can be overlooked because of his commitment to the Glens shirt. For me he is a solid professional. I can see him hitting the 500 mark for this club if he stays fit, no reason not to. Good luck to you and your young family for the future Moko and many many more games in those famous colours you currently wear.”

Mick McDermott said of his skipper: “I know we have the 250 Club here to recognise our legends, so 300 appearances for Glentoran is a great achievement at any time. But it says a lot for Moko that he achieved it in such a difficult decade for Glentoran, and he has plenty of years to go, so I’m sure the 500 mark is on the cards for him.

Marcus already enjoyed a couple of Irish Cup wins under Eddie, so it was deserving and appropriate that he picked one up as captain this year. He earned that. In my time here he’s been brilliant on and off the pitch.  It’s been a difficult year for everyone because of COVID-19 and also Marcus had very difficult personal circumstances to deal with. But throughout all that he’s shown what a good captain needs to be and we’re very happy to have him at the club.”

Marcus said this afternoon: “I’m delighted to have been able to stay at such a big club for such a long period of time and racking up 300 appearances so far is very humbling.

The club took a chance on me when I was let go from Linfield all those years ago, and I’ve tried my best to repay that in my performances on and off the field. I hope that I get the chance to keep doing that in the next few years.

Finally I’d like to thank all my family for supporting especially my wife putting up with my hectic schedule. I’m surprised Aimee is still with me, I spend so much time at Glentoran!”

Everyone at the club congratulates Marcus on his latest milestone and we all look forward to many more years, to his next 300 appearances and to him lifting a lot more trophies and winning a lot more medals with Glentoran.