Marc making his way in the Premiership

Twenty-two-year-old Marc Wilson has been making more regular appearances this season for Portsmouth who are struggling at the bottom of the table.

And although he still has one and a half years left on his current contract he has been offered a new three year deal at Pompey.

It’s a far cry from the early days when Marc started his football career with the under nines at Lurgan Town and went on to play for the under 10s and under 11s.

His displays in the Lisburn League caught the eye of a Manchester United scout and he travelled over with other youngsters for coaching.

Up until 15 he was with United but then was told he did not make the height needed although since then he has grown to six feet two inches.

Then a West Ham scout, who was a good friend of Harry Redknapp, recommended Marc to Harry who had taken over as manager of Portsmouth.

Despite attracting interest from other clubs such as Blackburn, Sunderland, Tottenham and Middlesboro Marc was impressed with the set-up at Portsmouth.

In July 2004 he signed for the club and it was on September 24, 2008 he made his Premiership debut against Chelsea.

An all round player who can play anywhere he was marked down as a central defender by the former Arsenal and England captain Tony Adams during his time at Portsmouth.

Last season was plagued by injuries but now back to full fitness Marc has established a place for himself in the first team squad, making 24 appearances this season.

From Parknasilla Way in Aghagallon Marc attended St Patrick’s Primary School followed by St Paul’s and St Michael’s.

During his early years he was also an accomplished gaelic player with the St Mary’s club in Aghagallon and the school teams.

And he was honoured to come back to St Paul’s to present awards which he had previously won.