Molesley ready to embark on his Exeter career
New signing Mark Molesley has wasted no time in settling into life at Exeter City Football Club.
The midfielder, who joined immediately following his release from AFC Bournemouth last week, has been getting to know his new teammates at the Cat & Fiddle training ground, as well as working hard to make his case for selection ahead of Monday night’s fixture against Torquay United.
“It’s been quite tricky with the weather and whatnot!” said Mark. “It’s been quite challenging weather for everyone. But I’ve managed to get in to see the boys and meet everyone at training this week, and I got out to train on the field today which was nice.”
He went on to explain the circumstances behind his move to St James Park – with the Cherries looking rejuvenated after the return of Eddie Howe to the hotseat, opportunities were limited at the Goldsands Stadium when he returned from injury.
“The move came about quite quickly,” Molesley continued. “I’d been at Bournemouth quite a long time, but unfortunately I missed a large chunk through injury and I’ve worked so hard to come back from that.
“Bournemouth have gone from strength to strength with quite a large, extensive squad now – so it got to the point where I didn’t want to be sitting around. I want to be earning my keep and being proactive, and the opportunity came to join Exeter, I think it was best for both me and Bournemouth that I got to move on to a new challenge.”
Molesley has already featured once at St James Park this season – he was a Plymouth Argyle player on that occasion, and impressed during his six games with the Pilgrims. Despite his connections to City’s rivals, he’s raring to get started in the red and white of Exeter.
“I’m not really from round here, so I didn’t realise quite how big a derby it was until I played in it! But I was delighted that Exeter City came in for me and that I was able to secure something here, so I’m fully committed to the cause.”
And it’s another Devon Derby which will offer Mark the chance of getting his debut for the Grecians, with the Gulls in town for a Monday night clash in front of the cameras and under the floodlights. And he’s hoping that he’ll have merited a place in the squad by that time, and that he’ll be back playing League 1 football again next season with City.
“It’ll be a baptism of fire if I’m selected! I just need to keep my head down and train hard, and hopefully I’ll be involved or play some part. It’s a good squad with some quality players, so I’ll have to prove myself to get in there.
“In the short term, I’ve got to look at training hard and getting into that team. Long term – looking at where we are sitting in the table, with a good set of lads and good players, promotion is the real big one. That was what was attractive to me as well, to try and get back into League 1 – and I think we can achieve that here.”