Woking striker John Marquis is relishing his role as a senior professional at the Laithwaite Community Stadium.

Marquis has had an excellent start to life with the Cards, scoring seven goals in his first seven games and winning the club’s September Player of the Month award.

The 34-year-old made more than 500 Football League appearances before joining Woking last month, enjoying spells with the likes of Millwall, Portsmouth and Doncaster Rovers.

As well as delivering the goods on the pitch at the Laithwaite Community Stadium, Marquis sees passing on his wisdom to his younger team-mates as a big part of his role at Woking.

“A lot of the lads here are young and they want to know what it takes and what it needs to get to those levels,” said Marquis.

“As much as the lads are doing great at the moment, some of them haven't experienced what I've experienced in football.

“They're good lads and they want to pick my brains to find out all the ins and outs of what it's like and how to improve.

“All I can do is set a good example, not only for them but for myself as well.

“I think by driving standards every day and having that want and will to improve, it's only going to help us individually and as a team.

“It's a squad game and you need everyone. Whether you're the first name on the team sheet or just coming back from an injury, you want everyone to be in and around that same level.

“You've got to train correctly, be professional and recover right in between games.

“What's helped me have such a long career, play the amount of games I have and have the success I've had is being professional.

“There are a lot of sacrifices you have to make if you want to play at good levels.

“You've got to keep driving standards every single day and that's going to help us all in trying to get what we want.”

Marquis came through the ranks at Millwall as a youngster surrounded by a number of experienced team-mates at The Den, and those early days made a lasting impression on him.

“My time at Millwall was brilliant and I wouldn't change it for the world,” said Marquis.

“I had Alan Dunne, Neil Harris, Paul Robinson, David Forde and Tony Craig there. They were really good professionals that had already had fantastic careers and were willing to share their wealth of knowledge and experiences with me.

“I feel like it's only right that now I’m in that position, I’m able to do it for other people.

“I only want the best for myself and my team-mates. If I can help them gain one per cent to make them a better player, that would be my job done.

“Millwall is not an easy football club to play for. It's got certain standards and expectations that come with it – you either learn quickly or you can fall by the wayside.

“When you play for clubs like Millwall and Portsmouth that have high expectations, you've got to have thick skin.

“I think that goes throughout the levels. The boys here have been so receptive, willing to learn and willing to get better. It shows it’s a good working environment.”