Celebrating his 55th birthday last week, the former striker mustered prolific goals coring fortunes at the likes of Coventry City, Watford, Chelsea, Birmingham City and Queens Park Rangers. Yet he is eternally grateful to Enfield FC for launching his career as a teenager.
I chatted to Furlong this week and captured an array of vivid recollections on starting a life pathway in football.
“I was 18 when I got released from the QPR youth squad,” he explained. “Nevertheless, I had a few mates playing for Enfield. So I tagged along with those lads for a trial where I participated in some training sessions. I ended up turning out for Enfield’s youth team and occasionally for the reserves.
“A coach named Nigel did a fantastic job. Often for away games, he would make two or three trips in his Ford Escort van to ferry all of our players there ready for kick-off. People like him went out of their way to help develop the aspiring youngsters at Enfield. Incredible commitment overall from club volunteers.
“At the same time, I was working for a company called Standard Telephones and Cables based in New Southgate. They made telephone components. All of a sudden, I received a call during the close season from Enfield’s first team manager Eddie McCluskey. He said he wanted to sign me.
Denne historien er fra October 08, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
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Denne historien er fra October 08, 2023-utgaven av The Non-League Football Paper.
Start din 7-dagers gratis prøveperiode på Magzter GOLD for å få tilgang til tusenvis av utvalgte premiumhistorier og 9000+ magasiner og aviser.
Allerede abonnent? Logg på
CURRAN HAUNTS NASH 3 AGAIN! FER FOOTBAL GROUP
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WILL'S BRACE SPOT ON FOR LIONS'TITLE BID
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THE terrible Coronavirus outbreak decimated Non-League football in many ways.
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Munyard joins Jammers after Regent
BEES HIT BACK IN CAPITAL THRILLER
NICKE Kabamba scored two penalties inside three second-half minutes as high-flying Barnet fought back to edge out London rivals Dagenham & Redbridge in a seven-goal thriller at Victoria Park.
NOR'S THE MERRIER FOR LATICS
SLICK Oldham Athletic cantered to a resounding victory over Tamworth - but boss Micky Mellon and his management are still demanding more!
JOE'S GOT ROBINS IN THE ZONE!
FREE-SCORING Altrincham made it five matches unbeaten as they comfortably beat struggling Southend United to close in on the playoff spots.
SHAYMEN ARE HOTI TO TROT
TEN-MAN Yeovil Town found FC Halifax unbreachable Town despite concerted efforts as the Shaymen edged this battle of National League play-off contenders at Huish Park.
