ACE GUS GRATEFUL TO CASTLE & CO

IT WAS only four years ago Gus Scott-Morriss was asking himself if he'd be good enough for Step 2 - now the Southend United full-back is dreaming of the EFL.

- Matt Badcock

The 28-year-old has taken the scenic route to Wembley this afternoon.

Nurtured at Royston Town by then-boss Steve Castle, he came through into senior football at Garden Walk, winning promotion from Southern League Central in 2017 with the Crows.

Post-covid saw the chance to move up to National League South with Hemel Hempstead.

Fast-forward four years and he’s a mainstay of the Southend side and one of Non-League’s top performers.

Throw in a remarkable 17 goals from his marauding right-back position and it’s been quite a season for the England C international.

“Stevie Castle saved my football career,” Scott-Morriss told The NLP. “I wanted to quit when I was 16. If it wasn’t for the college programme he had to guide me through to men’s football then I wouldn't be here today. I know that for a fact.

“I got a text off him before and after the game (against Forest Green), it was outstanding. He’s obviously going to be there Sunday.