Michael Morrison

A fixture in the first team for almost two seasons, many readers may be surprised to learn that Michael Morrison has only just celebrated his 19th birthday.

The Bury St. Edmunds-born defender first became involved with Cambridge United at the age of 14, when he was one of the boys who followed Dan Ashworth, Kit Carson and Luke Hobbs from Peterborough United when they closed their youth system.

He broke into the first team at the age of just 17, in October 2005, and has hardly missed a game since, attracting attention from the likes of Everton and Preston last season, and a clutch of other big clubs this pre-season when optimism was rife at the Abbey Stadium.

"We finished well last season and we all came in for the new season with high hopes under Rob Newman, but it didn't really turn out as everyone planned," Michael admits. "But the new gaffer has come in and there's confidence again, especially after our seven games unbeaten."

'Morro' spent much of pre-season on an extended trial with Newcastle United, followed by shorter spells with Chelsea and Watford, and he found it a great experience.

"I was on holiday in June and came back to about eight missed calls from the manager, telling me to go up to Newcastle within ten days of getting back," he recalls. "I was a bit worried about my fitness but I'd done stuff over the summer and stayed fit so I was OK and ready to go.

"It was a bit nerve-wracking beforehand but I really, really enjoyed it. It was a great experience to go to the different clubs, especially Newcastle, so it was brilliant.

"There were obviously big differences that I noticed, especially that there were so many people for so many different things. For instance, if there was a problem with a defender there would be a defensive coach there, and there were just so many coaches analysing everything and there to help.

"That was the main difference with the coaching, and then some of the things the lads could do with a ball were just amazing."

Michael spent two weeks with the Magpies and some of the players made a lasting impression: "James Milner was probably one of the best trainers at the club, then there was Nicky Butt and Emre, but there were so many other players that were so good it's hard to pick any of them out.

"Training at the different clubs this pre-season was definitely a good experience and it can't hamper your performance to train at a higher level, and I've tried to take that into this season."

Of course this season got off to an unexpectedly poor start and just one point from the first six games cost manager Rob Newman his job.

"He was the manager who gave me my chance so it was disappointing to see him leave," admits Michael, "but results weren't going the right way and when the new manager came in I was in the same position as everyone else, wondering if he'd like me and if I would still be in the team."

In the interim period between Newman's departure and the appointment of Jimmy Quinn, Chairman Lee Power took change for three games and 'Morro' found it interesting to work so closely with the new chairman.

"It was different and it went really well - I don't think anyone could complain. He did a really good job and the results started picking up, but I don't think you'll ever hear of the chairman being manager again. I think Grays had their chairman as manager for a while and it didn't go so well.

"We don't see so much of him now but at the time it was nice to see so much of the person who is running the club, and being involved with the players every day. You can tell he loves football and he's passionate about it."

Jimmy Quinn has been at the helm since September and Michael's early concerns about his future have been dispelled as he has retained his place and was even made captain for a few games when Andy Duncan and Mark Peters were both out of the side.

"It was always going to be difficult for the Gaffer and Steve (Castle) when they came in. It was a difficult time to come in and they had to wait until after Christmas to get the right players in, but since they have got the right players in we seem to be picking up the right results.

"Last Tuesday was a blip but we've been picking up the results lately and they both work their hardest, and there are a lot of good things going on at the football club.

"There's a good mixture of older and younger players and they all complement each other," he adds.

Michael has been almost ever-present under Quinn and has played in a back three and a back four alongside several defensive partners and in front of two different goalkeepers, all of which he admits has taken some adjusting to.

"It's been a difficult season with injuries and suspensions and other changes at the club, like Blooms (Matt Bloomer) leaving because it was so far for him to travel, so there have been a lot of changes.

"Just the other day I was looking back at the game against Dagenham and Matt Bloomer and Adam Davies were both in the defence with me that day, and those two definitely won't be playing next to me next time we play Dagenham.

"The injuries and suspensions have made it difficult for the whole team, not just the defence, and maybe that's why we haven't got any consistency going."

Despite United's difficult season, Michael received individual recognition when he was called up for the England National Game squad last November, and he earned his first cap when he came on as a substitute against the equivalent side from Holland in a 4-1 win.

"I got the last 10-15 minutes against Holland and that was another really good experience. It was good to see other Conference players train and compare yourself to them and be in a different environment.

"It was nice to pull on an England shirt too," he adds. "It's something you think about when you're younger and although it wasn't for the Under-21s it's still an achievement to be picked to represent your country at any level and I was really proud to put on the shirt."

Away from football, the towering centre-half likes to watch films at the cinema and socialise with his friends, but unlike many footballers he has avoided the temptation of golf: "I tried it but it didn't take off - I never fulfilled my potential!"

Looking ahead to tonight's game, the seven game unbeaten run that came to an end last Tuesday gave the whole club a boost and Morro believes the players can respond and bounce back, starting tonight.

"It was about time we started picking ourselves up after we lost seven in a row and that unbeaten run was really good. You start enjoying it again when the results are going the right way and it's been a good lift for everyone, so hopefully we can just carry that on to the end of the season.

"It's important not to dwell on last Tuesday," he warns. "We lost the three points but we have to move on to the next game and try to get the three points today, then keep moving ahead and get another run going."

Asked how he deals with the disappointment of a defeat, especially a heavy 5-0 reverse like last Tuesday's at Altrincham, Michael admits, "It hurts for the next day or two. It's embarrassing more than anything, to play football and lose 5-0.

"You've let yourself down and your team down and you get phone calls off your friends asking what's going on. But you've got to lift yourself up and go out there, and we need to get some wins out of the nine games we have left.

"After last Tuesday, we watched the video and we saw a few things we could improve and we went onto the training ground and worked on them.

"There's a fine line between winning and losing games and you have to work on the things you do wrong and hopefully get those things right tonight and win the game.

"We went up to York earlier in the season and beat them 2-1 up there so I don't see why we shouldn't do it again at our place. We're unbeaten in our last four home games so hopefully that will stay the same after tonight."

Michael is one of just three players under contract for next season (the others are Danny Brown and Adam Davies) and, like the manager, he thinks it is important that the U's finish this season strongly in preparation for the next campaign.

"Especially where we are in the league, a few good results can push us right up the table so it's not a nervous last few games," he concludes.

"We're all focused on staying up and winning games until the end of the season."

My Favourite Game:
"It would probably be my full debut in the LDV game at home to Chester when we won 3-0 and I was buzzing. I'd played the last 15 minutes in the previous game against Halifax and I thought the LDV game was a chance to impress, and I stayed in the team from then on."

Andrea Thrussell

*This interview was first published in the programme for the match against York City on 13th March, 2007

Previous Featured Players:
14Mar07: Shane Herbert
07Mar07: Dan Chillingworth
28Feb07: Robbie Willmott (scholar)
17Feb07: Dean Holdsworth
11Feb07: Michael Gash
31Jan07: Stephen Smith
11Jan07: Piers Wixon (scholar)
13Dec06: Phil Smith (scholar)
07Dec06: Danny Brown
23Nov06: Sam Cutler (scholar)
16Nov06: Robbie Simpson
02Nov06: Craig Bussens (scholar)
12Oct06: Michael Hyem (scholar)
06Oct06: Rob Wolleaston
25Sep06: Matt Kendrick (scholar)
20Sep06: Jon Brady
14Sep06: Mark Peters
11Sep06: Jordan Collins (scholar)

Last season's Featured Players:
16May06: Jon Brady
04May06: Tommy Jaszczun
26Apr06: David Bridges
20Apr06: Scott Howie
13Apr06: Craig Westcarr
22Mar06: Andy Duncan
15Mar06: David Bridges
01Feb06: David Chick
08Dec05: Michael Morrison
29Nov05: Ritchie Hanlon
25Oct05: Stephen Smith
05Oct05: Fola Onibuje
29Sep05: Mark Peters

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