An unfit, sulky teenager with a questionable attitude, Liam Marshall was ready to pack in rugby league to become an accountant.
His evolution into one of the most potent wingers in British rugby league is a story of seized opportunities, a reset mindset and a club which nourishes its young talent as well as any.
The 26-year old scored the dramatic late match-winning try to earn Wigan a thrilling Challenge Cup Final win over Huddersfield. He is also flying in the Betfred Super League, in fact only Warriors team-mate Bevan French and Salford’s Ken Sio have scored more.
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The year could still end with a place in England’s World Cup squad too, yet his entire rugby career almost ended before it had even started, in that accountants’ office in Preston.
“I just didn’t know if I wanted to commit to do rugby and I could have just trained up to be an accountant,” Marshall tells me.
“I just said I don’t know whether this is right or me and if I can commit to doing all this on top of a job. I was a little, sulky 19-year old.
“I had a young naïve mentality where a couple of setbacks made me react in an immature way. I had gone off rugby a bit and trying to fit in training around my work. If you don’t have that desire or hunger then it is hard to do.”
Marshall played his amateur rugby at Wigan St Patricks but as he hit 16 found himself one of only two players without an offer of a scholarship or academy place with a professional club. He stayed amateur, and although Wigan spotted enough of his talents to warrant a one-year academy contract, they would then release him 12 months later.
“I was told I wasn’t wanted for the year after. Then a few weeks later I was told that I was wanted, so signed on again”.
The same thing happened a year later so Marshall begun to plan for a life without rugby. He signed a part-time reserves contract but trained very rarely and started the accountancy job in Preston.
Crucially Wigan’s academy coach at the time was Matt Peet, who has himself worked up through the ranks to become head coach. He sent Marshall to play for Swinton and rediscover his hunger, and after an impressive season finally came the offer of a full-time Wigan contract.
The club are now reaping the rewards of those bumpy early years.
“I just said to myself that if I was going to make it in rugby then it was time to have one last crack at it. It was a distorted path but in the long run it has helped, especially doing 12 months work in an office has given me a greater appreciation of opportunities and the privilege that we have for doing a hobby. It keeps that hunger burning”.
As well as head coach Peet, Marshall has benefited from the laid-back wisdom of dad David, himself a former professional, playing 39 times for Wigan in the late 80s and early 90s before injury cut short his career. Marshall senior was in the crowd for his son’s Cup Final winner at Tottenham in May.
“He was very emotional and said it was one of his favourite days ever.
“Dad is quite chilled and relaxed, even when I was part-time and my attitude wasn’t right he never stepped in. He let me make my own mistakes and my own choices and I have a lot of respect for him for that.”
Marshall is currently having the season of his life, sitting third in the top try scorers list at the start of August after back-to-back hat-tricks. He has never craved the limelight, which is just as well given Wigan’s headlines are routinely dominated by star strike pair Bevan French and Jai Field.
“I’m sick of hearing about those two!” he laughs.
“They do things that not many people can do on a field but we don’t want to be that team that has to rely on those two.
“They can have all the pressure and the limelight and us other lads will do our work in the dark.”
Marshall’s own ambitions now could not be simpler. Despite his sensational form earning rave reviews he has no eyes for Australia.
“The NRL is not something I’ve ever looked at or wanted to do” he shrugs. “I’m very happy at Wigan so I wouldn’t want to move.”
This year’s goals are a Grand Final win with Wigan and a place in England’s World Cup squad. And Marshall has a perfect line of communication with head coach Shaun Wane. The England boss grew up with dad David, and sees Marshall through the week at Wigan in his role as Leadership and Management Director.
“He has spoken to me and told me what he wants from his wingers, he is very open and very direct.
“If I keep doing what I’m doing for Wigan then hopefully that will be enough.”
*18+ | Be Gamble Aware
