Playing Career
He began his career with Fulham, for whom he made his debut in 1963, but his career there was hampered by injuries – a collision with a goal post and an opposing defender cost him the hearing in his left ear – and a dispute with manager Vic Buckingham, which ultimately saw him move across West London to join Queens Park Rangers, then in the Third Division, for £15,000 in March 1966. His first full season with Rangers was his most successful. He scored 44 goals in 53 games as the club became Third Division champions and also won the League Cup, coming back from 2-0 down to win 3-2 in the final, with Marsh scoring the equaliser. The following year, QPR were promoted again to reach the First Division.
In 1972, he was signed for Manchester City by Malcolm Allison for a then club record £200,000. Upon signing Marsh (in March of that year), City were four points clear at the top of the table but by the end of the season had slipped to 4th. Marsh himself has since claimed that it was he who cost the club the league title that year, with his style simply not suiting that of the team. He nevertheless became one of City's star players, scoring 19 goals in 1972-73 and often dazzling the crowd with his skills. Marsh led the club to a League Cup final in 1974, though this time he was on the losing side as City were beaten by Wolverhampton Wanderers. He left the club shortly into the 1975-76 season after disagreements with new manager Tony Book.
Marsh revived his career with the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the NASL, where he made over 100 appearances. He signed for Cork Hibernians, before briefly returning to Fulham during the 1976-77 season, where he linked up with old friends George Best and Bobby Moore before returning to Tampa Bay in 1977. He played from 1976 to 1979 in the States, and was a first-team all star selection in 1978.
He stated that George Best and Pele are the best players he ever played with during his career.
Read more about this topic: Rodney Marsh (footballer)
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