In our new exciting feature, former shot-stopper Calvin Marlin reveals the fascinating story of how he became a goalkeeper in a decorated career for the likes of Ajax Cape Town.
Marlin enjoyed a successful career that spanned nearly 20 years while representing teams such as the Urban Warriors, SuperSport and Mamelodi Sundowns.
The 2006/07 PSL Goalkeeper of the Season was also capped 16 times by Bafana Bafana while participating in the 2002 FIFA World Cup.
Marlin is renowned as one the household names in South African football having lifted the 06/07 PSL title with the Brazilians.
The current Cape Town Spurs goalkeeper coach reveals all on how he started out quite late as a goalkeeper before a meteoric rise to the top of South African football.
"Well, if you want to hear it all, I mean, as a youngster you pretty much played all the sports, such as cricket, tennis and all that," Marlin tells KickOff.
"I was always a winger when I grew up. You know, back then, when you were a left-footer in a team, all you did was play on the wing or at left-back.
"Then double-up by playing in goal for the school team I was at. But normally, I was always an in-field player.
"When I was 17, I was about to finish matric, and I didn't want to play football anymore.
"You know, being in Port Elizabeth, there was never a thought of becoming a professional footballer. It was never a thought in my head.
"One day at my amateur club, our goalkeeper something happened to him, and I ended going in goal.
"Within a year or so, I came from amateur football straight to the PSL [NSL] playing for Michau Warriors. Straight from amateur football.
"I was good at catching the ball from playing other sports like cricket and stuff.
"So, catching a ball was easy for me, and things like that. I enjoyed diving around a lot, but I never thought of myself as a goalkeeper.
"But I was far better there than as a winger. I just don't remember what happened to our goalkeeper at the time that I ended up going in goals.
"There wasn't really many goalkeepers back in those days. You had one per team."
Marlin revealed that he based his game as a developing goalkeeper on some legendary shot-stoppers in the English Premier League.
"Neville Southall from Everton, that was in the eighties, after that it was Peter Schmeichel at Manchester United.
"They were goalkeepers for the clubs I was supporting. I supported Everton that the time, and when Alex Ferguson brought all the youngsters through, I started enjoying how Manchester United play."
Marlin outlined who he admired in today's game both locally and internationally with the wealth of talent between the sticks in modern football.
"I enjoy watching Ricardo Goss at SuperSport United," Marlin added.
"I have seen him at training getting better and better, maturing as a goalkeeper. I've obviously worked with a lot of young goalkeepers like Moeneeb Josephs at Ajax Cape Town.
"I remember how he was like as a youngster, all over the place, but he was a good goalkeeper at the end of the day. I see Goss as being very similar. He can make a mistake or two. I mean, he was similar to Ronwen Williams when he started there at SuperSport.
"Internationally, I enjoy Ter Stergen, he's been doing it for so many years where he is so consistent. I think he's only conceded 11 goals this season. Playing with a good team around you does help."