Brentford goalkeeper Marley Tavaziva is excited ahead of his new challenge having recently linked up with Neil MacFarlane’s side on a two-year scholarship.

The 17-year-old began training with the B Team after impressing within the post-16 Education programme at the Brentford FC Community Sports Trust which also earned him the chance to gain minutes with the club’s new Under-18 side for this season. Having signed for two years with the side, Marley is pleased to build on lots that he’s already learned over the course of pre-season with the young Bees.

“I’m delighted to be here and get it over the line,” said Marley. “I’m very pleased to be working with the coaches like Neil (MacFarlane), Saunds (Sam Saunders) and Jani (Viander) who will push me on to be the player that I want to be in the future.

“I joined the Community Sports Trust last year and continued to train with them. My performances there got me selected to go and train with the B Team. It was an eye opener to see that there is a pathway from the Trust, I just had to knuckle down and I’m here now.”

Having spent the early parts of the 2022/23 campaign with the young Bees, which included a trip to South Wales in pre-season, Marley picked up a great deal from being in and around the environment.

He continued: “It was good, a new experience, but I settled in well and loved every minute of it and it was very enjoyable. I’ve learned a lot, not just on the pitch but off it, to be a better person off it too. I’ve learned lots from the coaches and I know that they will continue to help me a lot. It’s little things like being polite and ensuring that you say hello to everyone at the training ground and introduce yourself to everyone. Even if you’re an introvert, it’s good to introduce yourself to lots of people.”

Looking at matters on the pitch, Marley has gained minutes for the Under-18s but has been training regularly with Neil MacFarlane’s squad in recent weeks. The youngster is looking to work on his raw talent as a goalkeeper and is benefiting from working closely with Goalkeeper Coach Jani Viander as well as other B Team keepers in Ben Winterbottom and Roco Rees.

“I’m a very athletic goalkeeper, I’m good at reacting and I like to think my kicking is good as well. It’s a good opportunity for me and it’s good to know that I have two years to grow and develop. Ben and Roco help me a lot, they’re good at pushing you on and they’re very good competition. They’re very positive and give you tips which helps my game. Jani is amazing, he’s definitely one of the best coaches that I’ve worked with. Training with the B Team is good because the majority of them are older than me so hopefully that can help push me on and get used to the pace, as well as the standards.”