MARVIN Bartley has a smile that can light up a room, and a personality to match. He’s a quick witted as he is with his feet, although rumours that he once won gold at the Indoor Athletics Championships are wide of the mark.

You sense instantly that Burnley have a new dressing room joker on their hands.

But the midfielder, who could make his debut against Norwich this afternoon, is serious when it comes to football.

After all, the Clarets’ newest signing has worked hard to get here.

Released from Reading aged just 14, he was picked up by non-league side Burnham in 2004, moving on to Hayes the following year, then Hampton and Richmond Borough via a brief spell at Didcot Town.

He describes his non-league experience as: “Rough. Very physical. But it was good,” he said.

“I learnt at an early age the ins and outs.

“It's very physical down there. Up the leagues it’s been a bit less physical and there are better technical players.

“To start in non-league has helped me definitely.”

But like most amateur, part-time or semi-professional players, Bartley had a day job too.

In a season at Hampton he was always on the go, dashing to training and games after a full day at work as a window fitter for a Reading-based company, specialising in conservatories.

“I had to be at work for 7am then head off from the warehouse at 8am and probably finish at half four. I’d get something to eat then I was on the road again by about half five,” said the 24-year-old.

“I’d get off to training straight after work to Hampton, which was about an hour away.

“They were long days, working and playing part-time, but I love playing football so it’s not a problem for me. It has helped me, definitely.”

Bournemouth gave him his window of opportunity after a week’s trial on the south coast in 2007, and aged 21 he became a professional footballer for the first time, putting down the upvc with immediate effect.

“I was worried about that. Apparently you have to give a month’s notice, but they listened to my situation and they let me off,” he smiled.

But it didn’t bring an immediate end to his early starts.

“I’ve got a dog now so my missus makes me get up anyway! I don’t know what’s worse really, I’m up in the cold and the rain and everything while she stays in bed. When I get back she’s like, ‘How’s your walk?’ I’m like, ‘Yeah fine’ when I’m dripping wet. I’ll be making her walk the dog this week.

“It’s an American Bulldog that’s not very friendly. She’s called Keira and she’s absolutely mental. She’s from a rescue home, so she’s gone a bit in the head.

“It’s just me up at the moment though, so I’ve got some piece and quiet! But my missus will come up a week on Monday, so I can’t relax too much.

“She’ll be looking for houses while I’m at training and stuff.”

But even now he’s on his best behaviour while he’s sharing a hotel with manager Eddie Howe and assistant boss Jason Tindall.

“They’re there along with Jon Dalzell, the fitness coach, and Charlie (Austin). I go to bed about 9 and that’s it,” said Bartley, and that grin spreads across the midfield man’s face again as he contemplates his future at Turf Moor and a reunion with his old Bournemouth boss.

“I’m just grateful for the opportunity and I was going to take it whenever it came,” he said.

“I was waiting for him to ring me when he left. I was looking at my phone thinking, ‘He hasn’t called me, we’re no longer friends.’ Luckily I got the call on deadline day!

“Last year they were brilliant at Bournemouth so I was delighted to get the call to say they wanted to bring me here.”