MARLOW

MARLOW

It was on November 22nd 1870 at the Compleat Angler Hotel on the banks of the Thames that Great Marlow Football Club was formed and so began the history of one of the oldest clubs in the country.In the last century the Club was a major force in the game and as one of the original entrants in the first F.A Cup competition in 1871/72 contributed a share of the £25 that bought the first trophy. Marlow have the unique distinction of being the only club to have entered every competition since its inception although they were unable to compete once earlier this century. In 1882 they reached the semi-finals where they lost out to eventual winners Old Etonians 0-5 at the Oval. Two Amateur Cup semi-finals and a host of Berks & Bucks Senior Cup wins were among many honours won in this golden age. In 1894 Marlow rejected the opportunity to join the newly-formed Southern League in order to retain their amateur status and allowed Tottenham Hotspur to begin their climb to the top flight

The Club's ground until 1919 was Crown Meadow, now the Riley Recreational Ground. An enforced move to the Star Meadow meant demotion from the Great Western Suburban League to the Reading League as this ground was unfenced and without the necessary facilities. The Club's long-serving Honorary Secretary Alfred Davis appealed for funds and subscriptions to purchase a new headquarters and contributed much himself. Sadly he died before the opening of the new ground in 1924, which to this day remains home to Marlow F.C and dedicated to his memory. The picturesque grandstand dates from 1930’s and was built to celebrate the Club's revival and the Spartan League Division Two championship.

Apart from a war-time break Marlow continued in the Spartan League upto 1965 when entry was gained to the Athenian League Division Two. Promotion to Division One was secured in season 1970/71. Here Marlow remained until 1984 when they joined the Isthmian League. Having finished bottom of Division Two in 1985 the appointment of Mike Keen as Manager heralded a rapid rise in status. Promotion to Division One came the very next season and then after just one season in Division One the championship was won after a two horse race with Grays Athletic and along with it promotion to the Premier Division.

Here Marlow found things much tougher and Christmas arrived without a win and from a position at the foot of the table relegation looking very likely. However a late season Houdini act saw them escape and secure their new-found status.When Keen left his assistant Dave Russell took over and brought in Laurie Craker as Coach. Under them good times returned and the Berks & Bucks Senior Cup was won for the first time this century with a victory over local rivals Wycombe Wanderers and the F.A Cup First Round was reached, also for the first time this century, with an away tie at West Bromwich Albion the reward.

Season 1992/93 saw even more F.A Cup success with progression this time to the Third Round and a tie with Tottenham Hotspur that was switched to White Hart Lane where almost 27000 saw the Blues give a very creditable performance. The Diadora (Isthmian) League Cup was won to finish the season on a high note by beating Molesey 2-1.

1993/94 must rate as the most successful ever with Marlow again reaching the First Round of the F.A Cup where a 0-2 home defeat against Plymouth Argyle was featured on T.V, while in the league a highest-ever position of third was achieved. The Berks & Bucks Senior Cup was won again with a 1-0 win over local rivals Chesham Utd. to round off a highly memorable season.

At the end of that season Russell and Craker left for Slough Town and took several players with them. A new squad and slow start left a lot to do in the league and a brave late fight failed to see the Blues avoid relegation. In the F.A Cup things were very different. The First Round saw Division Two table-toppers Oxford Utd. defeated 2-0 at Oak Tree Road and the Blues became the first winners of the Littlewoods Pools' Giant Killers award. Another home victory followed over Trophy holder's Woking to secure a place in the Third Round Proper once again and a trip to Swindon, who had been in the Premier League the season before, where the home side were grateful to progress by a 2-0 scoreline.

Season 1995/96 saw a good start and great finish in the league with a finish in eighth spot but the following one got off to a terrible start from which the Club was never able to recover – and despite victories over virtually all the top sides, relegation was confirmed on the last day of the season. Russell returned for the following season and with him high hopes but the season proved to be one of under-achievement and a new team of Graham Pritchard and Derek Sweetman took over for 1998/1999 and provided a period of stability which saw finishes in mid-table. Following the departure of Pritchard just before season 2001-02 Sweetman took over the reins and his first game in charge saw the capture of the Associate Members Trophy. The side finished the season in 9^th position in the league – the highest for some time – before restructuring saw them move from Division Two to the newly-formed Division One North for season 2002-2003 where the progression continued and an 11^th place finish achieved.

Marlow again found themselves in new surroundings last season having transferred to Division One South and although inconsistent form saw the finish 16^th in the league they again had an excellent run in the F.A Trophy which took them to the Fourth Round for the first time in their history. The recent major upheaval in the non-league game sees them in different surroundings for the fourth time in four seasons following the reallocation of clubs that has resulted from the new organisation and a belated entry in to The Southern League where they will compete in the Western Division.

web: www.marlowfc.co.uk