CONFIDENCE is the key to any striker's effectiveness.

When he has it, goals follow (see under Shearer A, Blackburn Rovers).

When it deserts him, he heads the way of the dodo (see under Fleck R, £2.15m move from Norwich to Chelsea - three seasons, four goals, now back with Norwich).

Perhaps the expectation that went along with his record-breaking UniBond League transfer (£16,000 from Marine to Chorley) contributed to Brian Ross briefly losing his confidence.

Suddenly, the goals that helped Marine to two UniBond League titles and brought Ross seven non-league international caps dried up.

"I was surprised really that they had paid so much money for me because I didn't think I was worth it," said Ross.

"Flamin' hell, I didn't think I was worth six thousand never mind 16!

"It took me a while to settle in - for the first month I couldn't find the back of the net.

"But the Droylsden game which we won 6-0, I scored five and that set me on my way.

"It lifted the pressure and gave me back my confidence."

Ross has hardly looked back, taking his tally this season to 22 which makes him the highest scorer in the UniBond Premier Division.

Enthusiasm for the game, pace and a strong, athletic frame are his most valuable assets.

And Ross is an asset Chorley manager Dave Sutton is delighted he can call on, delight that is reinforced by his failure to sign the 29-year-old while he managed then Third Division Rochdale. "I made a mistake not to sign him there and then for Rochdale," said Sutton.

"In my opinion he is better than any striker in the Second Division and I have no doubt that we would have gained promotion that year with "Rossie" in our side.

"He is a proven striker with an eye for goal and one of the first names to be pencilled in on my team lists."

Despite his proven ability, seven appearances for England in the last two years and the emphatic recommendation of his manager, Ross has been omitted from this year's UniBond Select XI.

Politics would seem to be the basis.

The side, the first step towards international selection, is picked by Marine manager Roly Howard.

Marine were reluctant to sell Ross to Chorley at the beginning of the season, preferring instead the overtures being made by Southport.

A combination of Sutton's persistence and Ross's desire to rejoin his former club finally broke Marine's resolve.

Clearly, this has not been forgotten.

"It's a desperate situation," insisted Sutton.

"There was a bit of trouble after signing him from Marine and now Roly Howard appears to be trying to get his own back."

The UniBond League's top scorer may play a forceful game on the field but off it is decidedly diplomatic.

Though not entirely chuffed by the snub, Ross is reluctant to condemn his former manager.

He is more eager to talk about the happy family life he enjoys with his wife and two daughters.

Indeed, it was the welfare of his family that he put above an offer from Preston North End two years ago of a two-year contract with a one-year option. "We discussed everything at the club and I even took my wife down and little girl," recalled Ross.

"But on the financial side of it I would have been no better off and it would have meant packing in my job as an engineer at BT.

"There was no security with their offer but they thought they were giving me the earth.

"But I had my little daughter to think about and, anyway, a few months later Beck was gone so maybe it was the right choice."

Chorley supporters were convinced he had made the right choice when he headed home the winner last Monday night in the ATS Trophy quarter-final clash with Clitheroe.

Such predatory instincts may well give Chorley the edge when they encounter Boreham Wood in the FA Trophy third round tomorrow.

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