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There's life after Ipswich for Ross Marshall who says he's joined a great club in Maidstone.
Marshall was released last summer after six years with the Tractor Boys but stayed on to complete his rehab after suffering a broken foot.
The 20-year-old defender, who can also play in midfield, set about finding a new club and contacted Maidstone having worked with head coach Hakan Hayrettin during a loan spell at Braintree last season.
Managerial changes at Portman Road went against Marshall but he's ready to kickstart his career in non-league.
He said: "It was brilliant at Ipswich under Mick McCarthy.
"The first team, the under-23s and the youth team all mixed together - you felt part of one team.
"I'd like to say I'd have been involved in the first team if Mick had stayed because we had a good relationship and I was sad to see him leave.
"Paul Hurst didn't last long and then Paul Lambert came in.
"I wasn't for him but football's a matter of opinion and I don't take it personally.
"I'm at a great club in Maidstone now and I can't wait to hit the ground running."
Marshall earned a deal after impressing on trial, signing for the Stones last Friday.
He went straight into the side the next day, playing 90 minutes as United drew 1-1 at Bath.
"I'd played a few behind-closed-doors games, so I already knew the boys," said Marshall.
"They've all been brilliant and John (Still, head of football) and Hakan have really helped me settle in.
"We've got players who've been there and done it and that makes it much easier.
"It was good to play a league game - I enjoyed it out there.
"I put myself about and I think you have to otherwise you get eaten up.
"It's a physical league and you've got to be able to handle yourself.
"I just want to get games after being out for five-and-a-half months and when I came here I said I would do everything I could to get in the side.
"It'll take me a few games to get back to my best and then I can push on."
Marshall played through the pain barrier last season, not wanting to miss out with Ipswich's under-23s going for the Professional Development League play-offs.
He finally had to admit defeat and have surgery.
Marshall said: "I got injured towards the end of last season and was playing with a broken foot.
"The surgeon said it could have been broken all season but it was towards the end when I had an issue and got an op.
"I was of contract at Ipswich and it was a case of getting back fit and then finding another club."
