|
The
History of Marske United Football Club
(Founded 1956)
Marske United
played in the local leagues until they joined
the Teesside League in 1976 where they won
several titles and cup competitions. In 1985
their title win gained them promotion to the
Wearside League via the non league pyramid
system.
Throughout this
time Marske also enjoyed a fair amount of
success in the North Riding County and Senior
Cup competitions. They were soon in the hunt for
honours in the Wearside League and in the
following years won the league title twice and
were runners up on numerous occasions. They also
won many cup competitions and it was decided
that the club was ready to make further progress
in the pyramid.
The 1995/96 season
saw Marske prove that they were indeed ready
when a remarkable clean sweep of Wearside League
silverware was achieved. The League Title, The
League Cup, The Sunderland Shipowners Cup and
The Monkwearmouth Cup all took up residence in
the Marske United Clubhouse. They also added
their name to the winners of the North Riding
Senior Cup for the first time to join a list
that includes Middlesbrough F.C, Scarborough,
York City and Whitby Town.
They were accepted
by the Northern League for the 1997/98
season joining the second division and after
another great year gained promotion at the first
attempt. A season of consolidation saw Marske
finish 12th and in the following year
4th place was achieved along with a
North Riding Senior cup semi final appearance.
The third season proved to be a memorable one
with a 3rd place finish as well as a
League Cup final defeat by the mighty Bedlington
Terriers. A great run in the F.A. Vase also
ensued during which a record crowd of 1359
attended a quarter final tie when a very late
equaliser by Bedlington, and defeat in the
replay deprived us of a semi final place.
Season 2001/2
started badly when long term sponsor Arnott
Insurance pulled out followed shortly by our
inspirational manager Charlie Bell and his team.
Mick Hodgson and Peter Bell stepped in and
guided us to a very respectable finish but the
following year with many players being lured
away on better deals the club were relegated. In
2003 a new sponsor, Car Care of Marske came on
board and Darren Trotter was appointed as
manager from H’pool F.C. Academy where he gained
his EUFA coaching badges. His aim was to produce
a young team but after 18 months following a run
of poor results and performances it was decided
that an experienced leader was required and
former management duo Charlie Bell and Steve
Dowling were asked to return in the hope that
they could repeat the success achieved first
time round.
However, January
2008, after a further 113 games in charge it was
decided that another change was necessary so
former Northallerton pair Paul Burton and Mark
Riley were appointed. They came in and steadied
the ship with the team finishing in a creditable
8th place. The acquisition of some more
experienced Northern League players resulted in
the 2008/9 season being our most successful for
many years. After a disappointing start a long
unbeaten run left us in contention for promotion
and a brilliant run in the F.A. Vase took the
club on a journey all over the country as we
were drawn away in all but one of the eight
games played before eventually losing to Glossop
F.C. in the quarter final. However our success
in the cup resulted in a massive backlog of
league games to be fitted in at the end of the
season and with the games coming thick and fast
during March and April we lost some crucial mid
week away games to finish the season in 5th
place, ironically having beaten all four of the
teams above us.
The 2009/10 season
had a similar feel with a long FA Vase run
ending in defeat to Whitehawk of Brighton, and
the build up of games towards the end of the
season taking it's toll. With just 7 games
remaining Marske were 1st in the Division and
their fate was in their own hands entirely. They
had to face rivals Stokesley twice and Jarrow
Roofing, both competing for promotion. Having
lost only 2 league games all season, Marske lost
5 of the last 7 games and ended up in 4th
position, narrowly missing out on promotion once
more.
Whilst cup runs can
be very exciting it is promotion to Division 1
that is the clubs main aim for the 2010/11
season.
|