From non-league to goalscoring international with a seven-figure fee via several hard times: Marlon King has fought for what he's got
Marlon King worked his way up the hard way. Starting out in non-league for local side Dulwich Hamlet, he became a Barnet apprentice before moving to Gillingham in 2000.
After scoring 47 in 93 starts at Priestfield, including a memorable goal in a cup game at Chelsea, he moved to Forest; struggling to win over the fans, he endured a goal-free loan to Leeds.
His luck changed in summer 2005 with a six-month loan to Watford: 12 goals in 21 games convinced Aidy Boothroyd to shell out £500,000. Two years, several goals, regular football for Jamaica, a promotion and a relegation later, his value had increased to £3m (rising to £4m) when Wigan took him to the JJB.