After rising through the ranks at Millwall, John Marquis currently plays for Portsmouth and has cemented his place as one of the most lethal strikers in the lower leagues of English soccer.

John Marquis is an English soccer player who plays as a striker for League One club Portsmouth.

He began his career at Millwall and had loan stints at Staines Town, Portsmouth, Torquay United, Northampton Town, Cheltenham Town, Gillingham and Leyton Orient.

Marquis left Millwall for Doncaster Rovers in 2016 and spent three years at the club. He then moved to Portsmouth on a permanent basis and continues to play his soccer for Pompey.

Millwall roots

Marquis rose through the ranks at Millwall, making his debut as a substitute for Gary Alexander in a 2-0 defeat to Bristol Rovers on September 5, 2009.

After a loan spell at Staines Town, Marquis scored his first goal for Millwall on November 9, 2010 in his first league start against Norwich City.

Marquis continued to score intermittently, but struggled for regular game-time in the first team. Nevertheless, he signed a new three-year contract with Millwall at the end of the 2010/11 season.

Although he scored in a 2-2 draw with Reading in the opening game of the season, Marquis saw his 2011/12 campaign plagued by persistent injuries.

These injury woes continued in the next two seasons and culminated in a loan move to Portsmouth in 2013 as he sought more consistent first team soccer.

Two loan spells at Northampton Town followed in 2014, before one at Cheltenham Town.

After stints on loan at Gillingham and Leyton Orient and yet another at Northampton Town, Marquis was released by Millwall at the end of the 2015/16 season.

Becoming a Rover

Marquis signed for Doncaster Rovers on a two-year contract on June 13, 2016 and was handed the No. 9 shirt by the club, who languished in League Two at the time.

First team manager Darren Ferguson said, as quoted by his club's official website: "John has been on our radar for quite a while now and we're glad to get this signing over the line - the squad is now really starting to take shape.

"He's a tireless worker who leads the line well and doesn't give defenders a moment's rest. He's a good age and we're hoping that his move here can provide him with a new challenge.

"John's experience of success at this level with Northampton could prove vital and we're delighted to have him on board."

Marquis revived his career with 26 goals in 40 League Two appearances in 2016/17, helping Doncaster gain promotion to League One. Not only did he win the Golden Boot, but he also claimed the Sky Bet League Two Player of the Season prize.

"It has been a fantastic season and I cannot express how much I have enjoyed it. I have been playing in a team that is doing really well, winning often and providing me with lots of chances to score," said Marquis.

Midway through the 2016/17 season, Ferguson was quoted as saying by the Doncaster Free Press: "John's been outstanding. He's been a real catalyst for what we've wanted to do.

"He takes a lot of responsibility on himself.

"I think that's because he's grown up in the environment where he's had to do that - being a Millwall player.

"You need to do a real shift at that club or you're going to get real grief. That's the mentality there.

"That was one thing that stuck in my head. We knew we'd get a hard-working lad.

"And ten goals in 17 games is excellent. We've got to make sure he maintains it if he can."

As it turned out, Doncaster were only able to manage 15th place in League One in 2017/18, with Marquis scoring 14 goals in the league and 15 in all competitions.

In the 2018/19 season, they were beaten by Charlton Athletic in the play-off semi-finals as Marquis struck an impressive 21 league goals, and 26 in all competitions.

Joining Portsmouth

Portsmouth signed Marquis on July 31, 2019 after reportedly making a bid of just under £2million.

Marquis' move to Portsmouth saw him reunited with former manager Kenny Jackett, who said:

"I'm really pleased to work with John again after giving him his debut at Millwall.

"He's a proven striker, who I believe is entering his prime, so it's an excellent signing for us and we're delighted.

"John's got a great goal record, but is also an all-round striker, who will work hard for the team and can bring other people into the game."

Marquis scored 14 goals in all competitions in 48 appearances in 2019/20. In the 2020/21 campaign, he hit 16 in 41 games as Pompey just missed out on the League One play-offs.

Personal life

During the COVID-19 pandemic, Marquis helped a lifelong Portsmouth fan who attempted suicide.

"I couldn't see a way out, so put a note on Twitter and then just started taking as many anti-depressants as I could," said 20-year-old George Carnell, as quoted by The News.

"My phone was buzzing non-stop, but I was so zoned out that it may as well have been turned off.

"Getting a call from Marquis like that was so heartwarming; he made me feel so much more relaxed about the situation I was in.

"We talked about pretty much everything - how I felt, and what alternatives I had to the decisions I've made in the past.

"He told me about writing down my feelings at the start and end of each day; we were on the phone for about 45 minutes, and it put me from rock bottom to on top of the world.

"Marquis pretty much saved my life."

Marquis' decision to leave Doncaster Rovers for Portsmouth was reportedly motivated by a desire to move closer to his and his wife's families.

He previously worked part-time as a model for #5 Magazine, which was founded by Rio Ferdinand.

Marquis has developed a reputation as a joker within the dressing room.

His former manager Ferguson said while he was at Doncaster: "He's lively alright. He's a bit of a joker.

"Forget about the goals, which are important, and the way he plays - he's exactly what we needed as a team in terms of what he's like around the dressing room."

Net worth

Salary Sport report that Marquis earns £5,100 per week at Portsmouth.

John Marquis

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