Marriott thrilled to be staying at Luton for the long run

The 21-year-old forward who joined in the summer from Ipswich Town had initially penned a one-year deal after leaving the Tractor Boys.

However, an impressive start to the season, including scoring twice against Bristol City in the Capital One Cup, saw Marriott agree a two-year deal, with the option of a further two years as well.

He said: “Having signed my new contract I’m really looking to settle and get us promoted.

“That was something I initially set myself a target of another year by October and to get it as early as think it was August, I was just so happy.

“It was such a relief to have that little bit more security, to know what I’m going to be doing and to have that trust from the manager and from the board, it really was a good time for me.

“I think players respond well when managers have belief and faith in you as a player, there’s nothing better than that.”

Marriott has spent his last few seasons on loan, with spells at Woking, Gillingham, Carlisle and Colchester, so he’s delighted to call Kenilworth Road home for the foreseeable future.

He continued: “It’s very difficult when you go on loan.

“When I was at Carlisle I was starting and then the manager got sacked, he was the reason I was there, and there’s been a lot of politics taking over in a few places.

“It’s a difficult one. I don’t see the benefit of me going on loan to places if you’re not going to play and that’s why I’ve been to Woking a few time as I knew I was going to play there.

“Over the few years I’ve been on loan, I’ve learnt a lot and that only puts me in good stead for the future.”

Another aspect that Marriott hopes he has learned from was the red card he received against Leyton Orient in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy recently for a gesture made towards the away fans late on.

He added: “I didn’t help myself having been suspended, that was very out of character for me.

“Hopefully I’m on my way to repaying the club and repaying the fans after that.

“I faced the consequences of what I did and it was a learning curve.

“I’m young, if I was to do a similar thing again that’s when I’d question it myself, but I’ve learned from it, and it’s not something I’d ever do again.”