Marcus Palmer

{{Infobox football biography

| name = Marcus Palmer

| image =

| caption =

| fullname = Marcus James Palmer

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|1988|1|6|df=y}}

| birth_place = Gloucester, England

| currentclub =

| clubnumber =

| height =

| position = Centre forward

| youthyears1 = 2000–2004 | youthclubs1 = Bristol Rovers

| youthyears2 = 2004–2006 | youthclubs2 = Cheltenham Town

| years1 = 2006–2008 | clubs1 = Hereford United | caps1 = 19 | goals1 = 5

| years2 = 2008 | clubs2 = → Gloucester City (loan) | caps2 = 6 | goals2 = 5

| years3 = 2008 | clubs3 = Gloucester City | caps3 = 3 | goals3 = 0

| years4 = 2008 | clubs4 = Solihull Moors | caps4 = | goals4 =

| years5 = 2009 | clubs5 = Forest Green Rovers | caps5 = 5 | goals5 = 2

| years6 = 2009 | clubs6 = → Chippenham Town (loan) | caps6 = | goals6 =

| years7 = 2009 | clubs7 = → Evesham United (loan) | caps7 = | goals7 =

| years8 = 2010 | clubs8 = Cirencester Town | caps8 = | goals8 =

| years9 = 2010–2012 | clubs9 = Evesham United | caps9 = 54 | goals9 = 23

| years10 = 2012 | clubs10 = Stourbridge | caps10 = | goals10 =

| years11 = 2012–2014 | clubs11 = Evesham United | caps11 = 0 | goals11 = 0

| years12 = 2014 | clubs12 = → Westfields (loan) | caps12 = 5 | goals12 = 3

| years13 = 2014–2016 | clubs13 = Westfields | caps13 = 17 | goals13 = 7

| club-update = 09:42, 24 August 2015 (UTC)

}}

Marcus James Palmer (born 6 January 1988) is an English footballer who made four appearances in the Football League and 15 appearances in total for Hereford United helping the team gain promotion to League 1 .{{cite web |url=http://www.neilbrown.newcastlefans.com/hereford/hereford.html |title=Hereford United : 1972/73–1996/97 & 2006/07–2008/09 |work=UK A–Z Transfers |publisher=Neil Brown |accessdate=2 December 2009}}{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46419 |title=Marcus Palmer |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=2 December 2009}} He had to stop playing in 2016 due to a back injury .

Career

Palmer was born and educated in Gloucester. As a youngster he played in the Gloucester Primary Schools' representative side,{{cite web |url=http://gpsfa.brinkster.net/pastplay.html |title=Past Players |publisher=Gloucester Primary Schools' Football Association |accessdate=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090122061146/http://gpsfa.brinkster.net/pastplay.html |archivedate=22 January 2009 }} and when older he trained with Bristol Rovers. He joined Cheltenham Town's youth programme, combining studies at Hartpury College with football training; he played for Cheltenham's youth team, but failed to earn a professional contract.{{cite web|url=http://www.ctfcyd.com/site/page.asp?15 |title=Hartpury College |publisher=Cheltenham Town Youth Development |accessdate=19 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20100222071124/http://www.ctfcyd.com/site/page.asp?15 |archivedate=22 February 2010 }} He was signed by Hereford in September 2006 after impressing in pre-season,{{cite news |url=http://www.walesonline.co.uk/footballnation/football-news/tm_objectid=17542053&method=full&siteid=50082&headline=bluebirds--reserves-pull-the-plug-on-team-bath-name_page.html |title=Bulls add a pair |first=Simon |last=Fudge |publisher=Sky Sports |date=4 September 2006 |accessdate=2 December 2009}} after a trial at Cardiff City.{{cite news |url=http://www.skysports.com/story/0,19528,11699_2388776,00.html |title=Bluebirds' reserves pull the plug on Team Bath |work=WalesOnline |date=10 August 2006 |accessdate=19 December 2009}} He scored eight goals in reserve and Herefordshire Cup matches,{{citation needed|date=December 2009}} including a hat-trick in the HFA Senior Floodlit Cup semi-final against Westfields.{{cite news |url=http://archive.herefordtimes.com/2007/3/29/84102.html |title=Palmer Treble Does Trick |newspaper=Hereford Times |date=29 March 2007 |accessdate=2 December 2009 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}

He made his Football League debut against Swindon Town, coming on as a substitute, and made a further two appearances in the 2006–07 season, at the end of which his contract was extended for six months,{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1123274/Player-Contract-Details |title=Player Contract Details |publisher=Hereford United F.C |date=7 July 2007 |accessdate=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20070713174442/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1123274/Player-Contract-Details |archivedate=13 July 2007 }} and again for a further six months in January 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1469332/Contract-Extensions-For-Young-Trio |title=Contract Extensions For Young Trio |publisher=Hereford United F.C |date=1 January 2008 |accessdate=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080120214059/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1469332/Contract-Extensions-For-Young-Trio |archivedate=20 January 2008 }} After one more first-team appearance,{{cite web |url=https://www.soccerbase.com/players/player.sd?player_id=46419&season_id=137 |title=Games played by Marcus Palmer in 2007/2008 |work=Soccerbase |publisher=Centurycomm |access-date=2 December 2009}} he joined Southern League Premier Division side Gloucester City on a month's loan in February 2008.{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1599331/Palmer-Out-On-Loan |title=Palmer Out on Loan |publisher=Hereford United F.C |date=26 February 2008 |accessdate=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://archive.today/20120803075902/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1599331/Palmer-Out-On-Loan |archivedate=3 August 2012 }} He marked his debut the following day with a hat-trick in the 5–0 win against Rugby Town.{{cite news |url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=48491 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120926213612/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=48491 |url-status=usurped |archive-date=26 September 2012 |title=Leaders Hammered on Their Own Doorstep |work=NonLeague Daily |date=27 February 2008 |accessdate=2 December 2009}} He returned to Hereford having scored five goals from his six league appearances,{{cite web |url=http://www.tigerroar.co.uk/fix20072008.php |title=Gloucester City Results & Statistics: 2007/08 Season |publisher=Tiger Roar |accessdate=1 December 2009}} but was released by Hereford at the end of the season.{{cite web |url=http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1801756/Players-leaving-the-Street |title=Players leaving the Street |publisher=Hereford United F.C |date=19 May 2008 |accessdate=2 December 2009 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20090205183143/http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/article/1801756/Players-leaving-the-Street |archivedate=5 February 2009 }}

Palmer agreed to spend the first month of the 2008–09 season with Gloucester City while looking at options for a return to full-time football.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/football/Palmer-Gloucester-Cityarticle-269261-details/article.html |title=Palmer back for Gloucester City |work=This is Gloucestershire |date=15 August 2008 |accessdate=2 December 2009 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He played three Southern League games without scoring,{{cite web |url=http://www.tigerroar.co.uk/fix20082009.php |title=Gloucester City Results & Statistics: 2008/09 Season |publisher=Tiger Roar |accessdate=1 December 2009}} then moved on to Conference North side Solihull Moors on 30 August.{{cite web|url=http://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news.html |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090820214733/http://www.solihullmoorsfc.co.uk/news.html |url-status=dead |archivedate=20 August 2009 |title=Current News |publisher=Solihull Moors F.C |date=30 August 2008 |accessdate=19 December 2009 }} Palmer then left Solihull, resumed his studies at Hartpury College, and signed for Forest Green Rovers, playing in the reserve squad at The New Lawn. He was given his first team chance in March 2009 where he came off the bench against Altrincham and netted on his debut in second-half injury time.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Palmer-wants-dream-Rovers-debut/article-840225-detail/article.html |title=Palmer wants more after dream Rovers debut |work=This is Gloucestershire |date=25 March 2009 |accessdate=2 December 2009 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20130505123727/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/sport/Palmer-wants-dream-Rovers-debut/article-840225-detail/article.html |archive-date=5 May 2013 |url-status=dead }} He then joined Chippenham Town on loan for the rest of the season, and just as he did for Forest Green, he scored in his opening game for the Wiltshire club.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisiswiltshire.co.uk/sport/sportheadlines/4255789.Mings_tells_Bluebirds_to_keep_believing/ |title=Mings tells Bluebirds to keep believing |work=This is Wiltshire |date=2 April 2009 |accessdate=2 December 2009}}

Palmer was offered a new contract in July 2009 to stay at The New Lawn.{{cite news |url=http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Forest-Green-sign-trio/article-1137798-detail/article.html |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912033021/http://www.thisisgloucestershire.co.uk/news/Forest-Green-sign-trio/article-1137798-detail/article.html |url-status=dead |archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Forest Green sign up trio |work=This is Gloucestershire |date=6 July 2009 |accessdate=2 December 2009 }} In November, Forest Green allowed him to join Southern League Premier club Evesham United on a non-contract basis, though they retained his registration for the Conference.{{cite web |url=http://www.forestgreenroversfc.com/news/showItem.asp?id=655 |title=Striker Signs for Rovers with Sean Rigg Departing |publisher=Forest Green Rovers F.C |date=20 November 2009 |accessdate=2 December 2009}}{{cite news |url=http://www.worcesternews.co.uk/sport/local/4749256.Palmer_primed_to_boost_fortunes/ |title=Palmer primed to boost fortunes |newspaper=Worcester News |date=19 November 2009 |accessdate=2 December 2009}}

In June 2010 Palmer signed for Cirencester Town. He left Cirencester however in December 2010 when he re-signed for fellow Southern Premier Division side, Evesham United.{{cite news|url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=72202|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121001130539/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=72202|url-status=usurped|archive-date=1 October 2012|title=Palmer makes Evesham return |publisher=Non League Daily |date=19 December 2010 | accessdate=19 December 2010}} In October 2011, Palmer was the subject of a 7-day approach from Westfields.{{Cite web| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=79622 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20120912210218/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=79622 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=12 September 2012 |title=Evesham bring in new keeper |publisher=Non League Daily |date=27 October 2011}}

In March 2012 he joined Stourbridge.{{Cite web |url=http://www.stourbridgefc.com/site/sfc-latest-news-mainmenu-44/890-palmer-joins-the-glassboys |title=Palmer arrives as Griffin goes in the opposite direction |publisher=Stourbridge FC |date=23 March 2012 }}{{dead link|date=January 2018 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }} He left the club at the end of the 2011–12 season however and re-signed for Evesham United.{{Cite web| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=86082 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130130012020/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=86082 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=30 January 2013 |title=Palmer returns to Evesham |publisher=Non League Daily |date=9 July 2012}} In June 2013, he agreed a new deal to remain with Evesham for the 2013–14 season.{{Cite web| url=http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=94557 | archive-url=https://archive.today/20130620014527/http://www.nonleaguedaily.com/news/index.php?&newsmode=FULL&nid=94557 | url-status=usurped | archive-date=20 June 2013 |title=Strike duo commit to Evesham |publisher=Non League Daily |date=18 June 2013}}