SCOTT MORGAN, who celebrates his 29th birthday in March 2004, has seen plenty of the world in his 28 years, both through football and an interest in travel. He was born in Colchester when his father, Stuart was a defender for the local league club and he moved south when Stuart joined AFC Bournemouth.
It was in his Dorset schooldays that his own football potential emerged.
Scott gained schoolboy county honours for Dorset and mixed with some exalted company as he explains.
"We reached the FA Counties Cup Final and our opponents were Essex for whom David Beckham was playing. I was centre half and though 1 know we lost that game I can't recall how David played."
That final was played at Bournemouth's Dean Court, which was to become home to Scott for the next couple of years as he served a YTS period for the Cherries. At the time his father was assistant to manager Harry Redknapp. However Scott was not offered a contract and instead went on trial at Brentford who were then managed by David Webb. He impressed enough to win a two-year contract, making his debut in a 1-0 win at Hartlepool in the autumn of 1993.
Despite loving his time at the west London club, Scott suffered a knee injury that stopped his progress and he was released. Stuart was by then manager of Dorchester Town so Scott returned home to play for the Southern League side. Having his father as manager had its disadvantages.
"I spent three years at Dorchester but I
hated every minute of it. The lads were as good as gold, but we had a couple of close calls with relegation and, as the manager's son, I found it difficult."
Scott even gave up football for a while as he again put his family connections to good use by going to South Africa. He had an uncle there and initially went for a holiday but stayed for 10 months. The break refreshed his appetite for the game and he returned keen to start again, though he obviously retained the travel bug, because he again used his contacts to link up with Galway United in the Irish Republic. Galway were managed by former Torquay boss Don 0' Riordan who had himself had a short spell as a player at Dorchester when Stuart was manager.
When Don moved on to Sligo Rovers, Scott returned to the UK, but not to play for another English team. Barry was his next destination and they were then managed by Peter Nicholas, who remembered Scott from several years earlier when he was youth team manager at Brentford.
Scott said: "I had no hesitation in joining because the prospect of playing in Europe appealed to me. I'll never forget the experience of playing against Shamkir of Azerbaijan who we eliminated, and against Porto. Though we lost 8-0 in Portugal we won the home leg 3-1 though I think they fielded their under 17 side!"
Terry Evans and Gary Lloyd were also at Barry and in the following season, with the League of Wales trophy safely retained at Jenner Park, Scott travelled to Latvia for more Champions League action against Skonto Riga who heavily defeated the Welsh outfit.
When Peter left for Swansea City, Scott stayed on with his successor Kenny Brown who he describes as a brilliant coach. However he felt the glory days were numbered when John Fashanu launched his ill-fated takeover and, sure enough, Scott was one of many full- time professionals at Jenner Park who found themselves out of work.
Offers for his services came from Forest Green Rovers and ourselves, but though Rovers' Conference status was decisive and he chose to play at the higher level, his reunion with Peter was not long delayed.
"I played regularly for Forest Green but I didn't really get on there. Colin Addison was brilliant to me and still keeps in touch although I left under a cloud.
I am now loving my football again and with the way we have been playing, I don't think there is much difference between the teams." Scott now lives in Hereford with his girl friend Laura while his dad is back with his old mate Harry Redknapp as chief scout of Portsmouth. It would be diplomatic of us not to remind Stuart of a spectacular own goal scored at Somerton Park by a 1970s Bournemouth defender that has been recalled when our paths have subsequently crossed, so this time, to spare Stuart's embarrassment, we will not identify the scorer!