From 5-a-sides to St Colman's Park, Markus Gustavsson speaks to extratime.ie

Swedish striker Markus Gustavsson went from five-a-side kickabout to signing for Cobh Ramblers in only two years after first moving to Cork. Markus’ five goals in 15 league appearances augured well for the Rams’ 2016 First Division promotion push, but as he explains to extratime.ie, an opportunity to travel to the other side of the world took precedence over his “hobby”.

Previous to his arrival in Ireland, Gustavsson performed at a decent level, but his studies and a career outside football were always a priority: “I started at IFK Varnamo – a Swedish club in my hometown, who I was with until I was 19. I had a break from football for a couple of years before appearing for Rydaholms (GoIF), which is in the Swedish Third Division. I played there for about three years before moving to Ireland for work.”   

Markus initially joined local Cork Business & Shipping League First Division outfit Aesseal FC, unsurprisingly shining, as they clinched promotion in 2015. He then moved on to Castleview’s junior side, where he was recommended to Cobh Ramblers manager Stephen Henderson.

“It was very hard to adapt, initially. I had trouble keeping up with the pace and pre-season training sessions. However, I always felt appreciated in Cobh and got on well with the lads. It was a relief that I started scoring goals early on, when I got the chance during friendlies and cup ties. I had lots of support from friends and work colleagues as well, which made it easier to manage both a full-time job and football.”

Despite his impressive goals per game ratio for Ramblers, Gustavsson began his maiden League of Ireland season with much loftier personal ambitions: “Scoring early at Cobh really helped my confidence and I got a couple of good goals against Waterford and Limerick. I think that I made a pretty good impression and fitted in well, on and off the pitch, but I had very high targets for myself and was a bit dissatisfied I didn’t get more goals.”

Markus left Cobh by mutual consent in August this year, to pursue a new life in New Zealand, but was he tempted to at least see out the 2016 league campaign, as the Cork club always had a realistic chance of achieving a play-off position at worst? “Yes, of course. I followed the last couple of rounds and qualification games from over here on Twitter and was sad that Drogheda got the spot in the end … I would have loved jogging out on St. Colman’s Park for that game. I had personal motives for leaving and during my last six months living in Ireland, I think playing football was the only reason to not depart even earlier. I hope Stephen (Henderson) and everyone else in Cobh do realise how much playing for Ramblers meant to me and that I appreciated everything that went with it. I’m going to continue to follow them from this side of the world and as they say: ‘once a Ram, always a Ram’.”  

Now that the 27-year old is based in Auckland, has he signed for a local football club? “I’m not playing any football at the moment, as I decided to take a break from it and go travelling for the year. I still miss playing from time to time, but for now, I’m not considering joining any team in the near future. Having said that, you never know what could happen, as I wasn’t thinking of playing League of Ireland football until Cobh contacted me.”

In closing, Gustavsson is adamant that despite having completed his studies and now with workplace experience to fall back upon, football will forever remain just a pastime for him and not a viable full-time pursuit: “It’s always been a hobby and I have several other goals that I wish to focus on for now. Football’s definitely helped me a lot in life, as it’s a great way of getting to know people … Wherever you go.”