Neil Marshall column: It's been an amazing week but now it's time for family

Football fans from across the area gathered at Giant Axe on Tuesday night for Neil Marshall's tesimonial.

You’re thinking about what’s going to happen at the end and all things like that.

First half I thought New Mills were alright and probably should have been ahead and then in the second half we played well and we won 2-0.

To me it was a bit daze and that showed in the way I missed a couple of chances late on!

It felt like I was playing in the FA Cup final when I went through at one point.

And there was one near the end where you’d usually take a touch and slot it in but I fluffed it.

If that chance had have come to me next week or a week earlier I would have scored, I just could feel the pressure and people wanting me to score, it just wasn’t happening.

With my testimonial, and lining up against some of my Liverpool heroes, it’s been an amazing week though.

It has all come at the end of what has been a tough season.

I found out seven months ago (that his cancer was incurable) but me being me I just got on with it.

Sometimes it does play in the back of your mind but to me the football was kind of a release.

Now I’m going to have some time off, spend some time with friends and family, have a few holidays and do things that you would as a family.

Next season I’m going to play locally (in the North Lancashire League) but it’s nothing major.

You don’t have to spend time away from your family Tuesday, Thursday, Saturday.

It’s a bit of a kickabout on a Saturday afternoon to just tick over that way and try and stay a bit fit.

I’ve had messages coming from all over in the last few days and I can’t thank them all personally but just all round I’ve been quite amazed and overwhelmed.

Thank you.