Former Doncaster Rovers striker goes viral on social media as cheeky goal celebration divides opinion
John Marquis bagged a hat-trick against Carlisle at the weekend but it's his goal celebration that’s really got people talking
Former Doncaster Rovers star John Marquis has been the subject of plenty of attention on social media over the last few days.
The 34-year-old striker bagged a hat-trick during Woking’s stunning 5-2 victory away at Carlisle United - marking his first treble since his Rovers day when he helped the team to a 5-1 victory over Grimsby Town.
It takes Marquis’ goal tally to five goals in as many matches in the National League as he aims to establish himself as one of the leading strikers in the division.
But it’s not his goalscoring exploits that have got people talking - with the focus instead being centered around his goal celebration.
The incident took place after Marquis successfully converted one of his two penalties at Brunton Park. Prior to the spotkick being taken Carlisle shotstopper Adam Desbois had attempted to put the striker off by dancing across his line.
However, Marquis was unphased by the distraction and successfully made the keeper go the wrong way with an ice-cool spot-kick. After scoring, Marquis, keen to make the keeper regret his actions, proceeded to sarcastically mimic Desbrois’ while also attempting to stare him out. And the antics continued as he walked up to the keeper making out as if he was going to shake his hand before leaving the 24-year-old hanging at the last minute.
The actions of the former Rovers frontman, who scored a combined total of 66 across 153 matches in DN4, has divided opinion. Some saw it as hilarious.
One commented on X: “The handshake pull-away is colder than the National League weather.”
Another added: “Beautiful touch at the end their with the handshake.”
Another said: “Marquis will never change, always the wind up artist, good to see him still hitting the goal trail.”
However, others were critical of the celebration.
One said: “Unsporting conduct should have been booked.”
Another said: “So embarrassing.”
Marquis joined Doncaster Rovers in 2016 and fired the team to automatic promotion from League Two while also finishing as the joint top scorer after finding the net 26 times.
In his second season he registered 14 goals as Rovers finished comfortably in midtable under Darren Ferguson but his best campaign in League One was still to come as he finished the 2018/19 campaign with a stellar 21 goals in his only year under Grant McCann as the club finished in sixth position.
Marquis joined Portsmouth that summer and remained at Fratton Park for three seasons before completing a move to Lincoln City. Spells at Bristol Rovers and Shrewsbury Town followed before the experienced striker opted to move to Woking over the summer - marking the first time he’s played outside of the Football League since his loan spell at Staines Town in the 2009/10 campaign.