Millwall Striker Rejects Southend

Millwall striker Marvin Williams has turned down Southend United in favour of signing on loan for Torquay United.

The 19-year-old, who joined the Gulls on loan on Monday, was desperate for first-team football and thought he would be sitting on the bench rather that starting if he opted to join Southend.

The lure of first-team football at Plainmoor was too good to turn down despite Torquay United being rock bottom of the Football League.

Torquay’s Director of Football Colin Lee gave Williams his first ever professional contract tow years ago and was delighted ot link up with the striker once again.

Lee told the Herald Express, ‘I didn’t expect to get him, to be honest’.

‘I didn’t advertise the fact that I wanted him. In fact, if too many people had known, we would have lost him.

‘I know Southend, for one, wanted to take him in the Championship.

‘But he’d probably have been on the bench for them, and he wants to start games.

‘Marvin has pace, he works hard and he’s a very positive lad.’

Millwall manager Willie Donachie had some kind words for Williams after reluctantly letting the striker join Torquay on loan until the end of the season.

He said: ‘I told Marvin that I didn’t want him to go at this stage.

‘But after not being included on the bench last Saturday, he felt he needed to start playing regular first team football.

‘I believe that Marvin has a real future at Millwall.

‘I love home-grown players and I see him as a great asset.

‘Hopefully, when he returns to us, he will be a better player for the experience.’

Millwall do, however, have the option to recall their player after a month.

Let’s hope Marvin Williams will open his account against Wycombe Wanderers during his Gulls debut on Saturday.