Former Shrewsbury Town captain John Marquis has completed a move to National League club Woking on a one-year contract. The 34-year-old striker, who has over 500 EFL appearances, joined the Cards on transfer deadline day for EFL clubs.
Shrewsbury's current season has seen a difficult start, with the team sitting 22nd in League Two with just three points from four games. Their recent form reads LWLL, having scored only two goals while conceding eight. They are already six points behind the early leaders, Bristol Rovers, a gap they will be keen to close.
Marquis secured his contract with Woking after a productive spell at the Professional Footballers’ Association’s free-agent training camp. The camp, now in its tenth week, is designed for out-of-contract players to maintain fitness and shows their abilities. The veteran forward scored four times during his participation, finding the net against Hednesford Town and Queens Park Rangers Under-21s. He also scored twice for the PFA's out-of-contract XI in a match against Barnet. His activity was not limited to the training pitch; he was seen supporting Bristol Rovers at Crawley Town just days before the deadline.
Woking, currently 21st in the National League with one win from five games, gains a player with vast experience. Marquis has 171 career goals and made 86 appearances for Shrewsbury Town, scoring 18 times during his spell at the club. His move represents a return to non-league football, where he had a work-experience loan with Staines Town in the Conference South back in 2010. His leadership qualities, honed during his time as Shrewsbury captain, will be a valuable asset for a team looking to climb the table.
Marquis is not the only ex-Shrewsbury man handling the free-agent market. Several former Town players are still participating in the PFA's training camp as they search for new teams. This group includes goalkeeper Jamal Blackman, defender James Bolton, and forwards Fejiri Okenabirhie and Anthony Scully. Their situations highlight the challenging period many professionals face at the end of the summer window. Fans can view the current Shrewsbury squad, which has seen its own changes, on our squad page.
While Marquis moves on, Shrewsbury's focus remains on improving their own league position. The team's struggle for goals is evident, with just two scored in four matches. Addressing this offensive output will be important as they look to move away from the lower reaches of the table. John Marquis begins his new chapter with Woking on a one-year deal.
