When a young Dale Marvell perched on his pushbike saddle and watched his beloved Epsom & Ewell over the fence, little could he know he would become one of a club legend.

Now, some 20 years later, the 34-year-old Marvell has racked up 304 appearances for the Salts scoring 85 goals.

He joins an exclusive list of just 12 players to break 300 appearances, the last being goalkeeper Dave Hyatt in 2001.

Marvell has not spent his entire career with the Salts, as the former Chelsea trainee has had spells at Sutton United, Merstham, Banstead Athletic and Corinthian Casuals.

But it was with Carshalton Athletic that Marvell hit his highest footballing note as winners of the Ryman Premier, followed by a season in the Conference South as the Robins’ leading goalscorer.

However, the draw of his home-town club always proved too strong and, as long as he remains fit and playing, Marvell can see his career ending as a Salt.

“I have always been happy at Epsom, and to reach 300 appearances is a really proud thing for me and my family,” he said.

“When I was much younger, my mates and I would watch Epsom games over the fence standing on our pushbikes so we didn’t have to pay, and to think I’ve reached this milestone makes me so proud.

“My 300th was against Spelthorne Sports [September 27] and I was aware of it before the game, it worked out well because I scored.”

Marvell’s debut came as a substitute in a 2-1 win over Merland Rise in January 2000, and would score his first goal two months later in a 2-1 win over Camberley Town.

“Making my debut was special, but there are other memories that stick in the mind,” he said.

“Winning the League Cup last season was excellent, we had a great run in the FA Vase in 2009 and I remember scoring a first-half hat-trick against North Greenford United, I was buzzing for that.

“The times I have left have been to play at a higher level, and playing in the Conference South with Carshalton under Graham Roberts was a great time.”

Marvell admits he has been lucky with injuries, but as age creeps up on the striker the aches and pains are beginning to hang around.

He said: “Touch wood, I’ll be playing for a long time yet. I still feel 18 years old, it just takes a little longer to recover from games than before.

“But I look after myself better than I used to. I used to drink too much and eat too much rubbish, now I am down the gym more and I eat and drink better, so hopefully that will help.

“As long as I am playing and not been left on the bench, I’ll stay. Footballers all want to play football, if we don’t then we get out of shape.”

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Living the dream: Dale Marvell used to watch Epsom & Ewell as a kid, now he is leading the attack

Life has changed in more ways than one for Marvell since those heady days as an 18-year-old, starting with the arrival of his daughter Charlie four years ago.

He said: “She helps me with my boot bag and kit now, and she comes to almost every game.

“I have responsibilities now and it can make committing to football tricky, but I just want to play and so I will for as long as I can.”

The Salts are seventh in the Premier Division of the Combined Counties League, and Marvell admits they will struggle to win promotion as just the top team of 22 claim that prize.

He said: “It bugs me that there are not play-offs. So many teams get to the half-way point of the season and realise there is nothing they can do.

“But if there were play-offs, all of a sudden there are four more places up for grabs and teams know that if they go on a little run, they could sneak in.

“Then you’ve got big games that will attract more fans, more money for the club and more excitement for the town.

“It just makes sense.”