One of the Iron's most consistent performers of the 2006/07 League One title-winning season was left-back Marcus Williams.

A prodigious left-sided talent, young Marcus has established himself as a key part of one of the greatest Scunthorpe side's in history.

Williams is the first-choice left-back so far and has won rave reviews for his performances, with several scouts watching him in action and numerous higher-division clubs being linked with him.

The Doncaster-born player is also capable of playing in a left-wing position and has added to his growing reputation of being one of the division's most highly-rated young players.

His United debut came in the Third Division home game against Yeovil Town in March 2004, and he showed some neat touches in his brief substitute appearance that marked him down as one to watch for the future.

The young pacy left-sided player had impressed in Paul Wilson's youth team and always looked likely to earn a professional contract.

A few more substitute appearances followed before Williams really impressed in the 2004/05 pre-season. However, an injury put paid to his hopes of gaining and keeping the left-back slot, and the youngster had to watch as Lee Ridley took the position and held on to it for the majority of the subsequent promotion season.

As luck would have it, Ridley sustained a serious injury in the following pre-season when Williams was handed his first professional contract.

Then-boss Brian Laws, speaking in the run-up to the season, said prophetically: "He has a lot to learn, but what better way is there for him to do that by playing first team football in League One?

"We know he has weaknesses and we know what they are, it is up to the opposition to work that out for themselves.

"He is going to be a very good player one day and I have every faith that he will not let us down."

Marcus got stuck in and soon became a regular fixture in the team for the following season - United's first in the third tier of English football for six years and was a key part of a Scunthorpe side who finished in a highest club league position in 42 years.

Williams set his marker down and with a number of impressive performances, including a superb display in the thumping 4-1 win at Huddersfield that took United to the top of the league, he was the first choice left-back for the majority of the season.

Speaking after that particular game, former United boss Mark Lillis said about the prospect: "He's got a cultured left foot, if he can get overlapping then he can go into the Premiership.

"He has that compusure to handle balls. In tight situations you look for players who can cope with it."

The Championship will bring an exciting new challenge for Marcus.