[Bispham Seasider]

Marlon Broomes



Signed on a free transfer aving been released by newly promoted to te Premiersip, Stoke City.

Born on 28 November 1977 in Birmingham, England. Current age 30. His natural position is centre back, he can though also play at left back.

Broomes started his career as a trainee at Blackburn Rovers. He signed is first professional contract on 1 August 1994. He didn't manage to break into the first team, and was sent out on loan to Swindon Town (1997), QPR (2000) and Grimsby Town (2001) before being released by Blackburn in December 2001 and immediately signed for Sheffield Wednesday, but was released at the end of the season.

In August 2002 he signed for Preston North End, where he spent the next three years. In August 2005 he signed for Stoke City where he was used as a left back, not his natural position. Before the 2006-07 season he ruptured his achilles tendon and spent the entire season on the sidelines. is first game for over 12 months was a friendly in August 2007 but could not break into the first team and was released at the end of the season.

Broomes is a former England U-21 player, and played with 'Pool manager Simon Grayson at Blackburn Rovers. He and John-Baptiste are expected to compete in the centre of defence, with Broomes, with much more experience, perhaps starting certainly at first.