Morrison on his time with the Grecians
Following the end of the 2014/15 season, Exeter City forward Clinton Morrison felt that his decision to come back into the professional game with the Grecians had been vindicated.The front-man, who was unattached after leaving Colchester United last year, joined initially on non-contract terms before signing for the remainder of the season in the winter transfer window.
And he admitted that his time with Exeter had surpassed his expectations when he first made his way down to Devon.
“It’s been much better than I expected,” said Morrison. “It has been brilliant – there is a great bunch of lads here and there are management at the club. And the fans have been brilliant to me.
“Training is good too. It’s a long drive down, but every time I get in the car I look forward to it. In the past that hasn’t always been the case but I always thoroughly look forward to training and playing here.
“That’s the most important thing – to have a smile on your face and enjoy the game, no matter what age you are.
“I’ve been contributing and working hard and showing that passion that I want to play for Exeter. When I go over that white line I give 120 per cent – that’s all I’ve ever done throughout my career.
“I think the fans have seen the passion and drive that I have for the club in my short time here.”
After the former Crystal Palace, Birmingham and Ireland forward joined mid-season, he made 13 starts and 12 substitute appearance for Exeter.
Despite getting assists and linking well in the attacking third, Morrison didn’t manage to break his goalscoring duck before the season’s end.
That almost came to an end on the final day of the campaign as he applied a deft flick to a low cross, only for a Dagenham & Redbridge defender to divert the effort wide and prevent him getting a goal in front of the Big Bank.
And to rub salt in the wound, he watched on as strike-partner Tom Nichols was given a gimme of a goal for his 15th of the campaign, as Daggers defender Ian Gayle blundered the ball to him six yards from goal.
“That flick of mine was going in but it just hit the defender – that’s probably the story of my season!” laughed Morrison.
“In front of goal things haven’t quite been dropping to me. But eventually things change and if you keep getting in there and keep going, eventually something comes.
“I could have been sat there a thousand times and the defender would never have kicked the ball back to me, like he did for Tom’s goal!
“But that’s football – you have to keep going and keep getting in there and your luck will change.”
Many of the squad will be discussing their future with the management team in the coming days, ahead of the retain list being submitted later this month.
And while Clinton doesn’t yet know whether he will be lining up in Exeter City colours next year, he expressed his gratitude at being able to come and be a part of the team at St James Park.
“I’ve got to thank Tis immensely,” Morrison continued. “He gave me another opportunity to play football in the Football League. It just worked – it seemed a good fit to go and play with Exeter, rather than being at home and not playing.
“It worked out really well. I’m really glad that I made that decision to come to Exeter.
“Hopefully something can be sorted out for next season. I know that Tis doesn’t have a big budget and that he’ll need to strengthen the squad and get younger players in before he can sort out the older ones, and I accept that.
“I would love to do another season here and next season I think the club has a great chance of doing something. But either way my time here has been brilliant – when I came here in November didn’t expect to enjoy it nearly as much as I have.
“Everyone has made me feel welcome and it’s a good club with a good bunch of lads, good management and good fans. When you’ve got those things together, you’ve got a nucleus that will go very far in the game.”