In this edition of In The Spotlight, former goalkeeper Calvin Marlin reveals he would have loved to experience what it was like playing for a big club such as Kaizer Chiefs.
Marlin had a lengthy career that saw him represent the likes of Ajax Cape Town, SuperSport United, and Mpumalanga Black Aces, while he also managed to amass 16 Bafana Bafana caps.
Growing up, who was your idol?
"The former Everton goalkeeper, Neville Southall. I liked the fact that he was a big, strong, demanding goalkeeper. I enjoyed watching him."
Is he the goalkeeper you modeled your game on?
"When we grew up, we kinda copied anybody that we liked. I mean, after Neville, it was Peter Schmeichel. As kids, we always tried to replicate it."
What is your favourite PSL team?
"All along, it was Ajax Cape Town, but now I've got a soft spot for Mamelodi Sundowns because I have won a league title with them. Ajax was my first love."
Who is your best friend in football?
"Ricardo Katza. We met at SuperSport United and we always shared a room. We played together at SuperSport and in the national team."
What do you dislike about football?
"It has become a business now. The flair, the excitement, the love of the game… I think a lot of us have lost it. It's more of a job now, everything looks the same."
What is your favourite player in SA?
"I always watch Ronwen Williams play. He is very good. He has reached his peak now. He has done exceptionally well."
If you could join any club right now as a player…
"I could have loved to play for Kaizer Chiefs. I have never played for Chiefs, I only played for Sundowns and SuperSport and others.
"So I'd join Chiefs just to experience it, the level of the fans."
Have you ever cheated in football?
"Not a major cheat, but something like claiming I never had a last touch before a ball went for a corner. But that's about it."
If you could live anywhere in the world…
"I'd stay right here. We've got everything here in South Africa. I've been to a lot of countries, and they all have their issues and problems. What we have here is unbelievable."