GUS Scott-Morriss will make his 100th appearance for
Southend United tomorrow widely regarded as one of the hottest properties outside of the Football League.
But had it not been for meeting Steve Castle at the age of 16, Scott-Morriss believes he would have walked away from football.
Castle eventually brought Scott-Morriss to Oaklands College as a student before also signing him for Royston Town.
And the man who Scott-Morriss regards as the biggest influence on his career still vividly recalls first meeting the Shrimpers star.
“My earliest memories of Gus are that his mum was worried he would just quit everything,” recalled Castle.
“He wasn’t sure about coming onto the college course, he wasn’t sure about coming to the college but we persuaded him and encouraged him in the nicest possible way to come in.
“Everyone has got these college schemes now but they’re about getting the lad as a student as well as playing football.
“We used that tool of playing football to its absolute maximum with Gus.
“He never missed a single day of lessons as well as training and progressed throughout being here.”
And Scott-Morriss’ progress also led to him lining up for Royston Town’s first team, where Castle was manager, in step three of the non-league game.
“In the second year of his college programme Gus was also playing up at Royston.
“He was a really hot-headed youngster who was having to be brought off by yours truly because he was losing his head!
“But throughout the months and years he learnt to control that to a really positive level.
“He became a regular at step three level playing midfield, full-back or wing-back.”
Scott-Morriss spent seven years playing for Royston before attracting interest from a higher level.
“We had to shut down because of Covid but National League South carried on for longer and he got an invitation to go over to Hemel,” said Castle.
“He absolutely blasted that and everyone was so impressed with him, other than me because I’d lost one of my best players!
“By that point he was working with us at the college as a coach.
“He was excellent and it brought his character out even more “We would chat on a daily basis about things and I’m not saying I’m a saint or anything like that but I do firmly believe furthering lads’ careers is far more important than the ego of a manager in non-league football.
“The best thing for him was to be in National League South which he did and then Southend came calling about a year after.”
Since stepping up to the Shrimpers, Scott-Morriss has gone from strength to strength.
The wing-back has earned international recognition with England C and was also voted Blues’ player of the year by the club’s supporters last season.
Scott-Morriss has already scored nine times this term and Castle – who acted as the 27-year-old’s representative in his transfer talks with the Shrimpers - is incredibly proud to see him doing so well.
“I went along with him to see the manager and John Still in the negotiations,” said Castle.
“I remember saying to them that Gus would be club captain one day because he has that character. “But how well he’s done is all down to him and his attitude, it’s nothing to do with me.
“He has utilised everything that he’s got and the amount of goals he’s got from that area, the recognition with England C and everything else means he’s one of our success stories as a college scheme but he’s a success from my career too.
“He did it all the hard way but I’m sure he’s grateful for that.”
Castle, who now manages Bishops Stortford alongside his role with the college, still keeps in touch with Scott-Morriss.
And the Blues star still often comes back to his former stomping ground.
“I keep in touch but I’d never want to be too hands on,” said Castle.
“He’s back living in St Albans now so he pops in every so often.
“Josh Castiglione, who is one of his best mates, takes our elite team now, so Gus will watch them too.
“Any time we need a past star to come and open something he’s our first phone call and he’s very hands on.
“He knows a lot of the college lads as well and he’s not afraid to offer advice.
“His story isn’t unique but his success is if that makes sense.”
But Castle hopes the best is yet to come.
“He’s got himself into a great club like Southend and the obstacles he’s got over for that to happen have been an absolute joy to see.
“Hopefully now with Southend’s results he can get into league football sooner rather than later.
“That would be brilliant.”
