Comeback king: The never-say-die ex-Portsmouth and Everton man finally taking Football League by storm aged 29

Ben Tollitt’s often injury-ravaged career has been spent switching between the non-league game and League Two in pursuit of establishing a foothold in the professional game.

He was initially a builder from Liverpool plucked from Evo-Stik Northern Premier League outfit Skelmersdale United and taken to Fratton Park by Paul Cook in the summer of 2015.

Signed on a two-year deal having impressed on trial, the talented winger registered his maiden Football League goal in the 6-0 hammering of York in November 2015.

However, following his Blues departure for National League Tranmere in December 2016, he has made a living from dropping into non-league before belligerently battling back.

Still, after being handed his latest League Two lifeline by Morecambe in July, Tollitt is now flourishing, with seven goals in his last five matches.

Clearly in the form of his life, that impressive haul includes netting the winner against Barrow on Saturday, representing Derek Adams’ side’s first victory of the season.

Unfortunately the Shrimps remain in the relegation zone, second from bottom with just Carlisle below, yet Tollitt continues to be a star performer.

It signifies the beginning of what could be a remarkable success story, with Tollitt turning out for Chester in National North during the second half of last term, helping them finish 10th.

As a free agent last summer, he was among 15 signings announced by Morecambe in a single day after having a registration embargo lifted - marking his return to the Football League following a four-and-a-half year absence.

The former Everton Academy youngster has subsequently netted five times in 14 appearances as he revels in being back in League Two, despite the team’s obvious struggles.

Certainly it has been a long way back for the likeable Scouser in the aftermath of his Pompey exit during the 2016-17 campaign, following 18 appearances and one goal.

At that time he dropped out of the Football League to join Tranmere, where he managed to win promotion in 2017-18 and went on to make four League Two outings.

Then it was back to the National League with Wrexham for 18 months, before finding himself returning to League Two with Macclesfield in February 2020. 

He made five appearances as they suffered relegation and next linked up with National League North Fylde, before spells at Oldham and Kidderminster in the National League.

Now, in his first Football League season since 2019-20, Tollitt is catching the eye for Morecambe as he makes up for lost time.