Sport - Marsden Football Club
Earliest records | 50's heydays | 60's & 70's decline | Introduction of the Juniors
Marsden Old Boys| The 80's resurgence | 1984-85 a momentous year
1985-86 Consolidation
Marsden Old Boys
This team was formed originally as Marsden Open Youth Club, joining the District League in 1964-65 and operated by Steve Simmonite (Bobs' father). This was at a time Marsden AFC were still in the SELAL and although in decline had also introduced a Reserve team in the District League. Steve's team had to be content with playing all their games out of the village in the early years as no suitable playing field was available in the village. Their "Home" games were played on pitches at Golcar and Milnsbridge. Subsequently Steve was able to cajole the appropriate people in developing a pitch on spare land behind the cricket club at Hemplow.
Success came in their second season when they became champions of Division 6 in 1965-66. 1967-68 saw a name change to Marsden Old Boys & the introduction of a Reserve team.
Progress was such that in 1973-74 they became Division 3 champions, their highest position ever coming the following season when finishing fourth in Division 2. Quite an embarrassment for Marsden AFC who found themselves relegated from Division 4!!
Unfortunately it was to be downhill all the way from then on. In1976-77 they were relegated to Division 3 and by the end of 1982-83 were in a relegation place in Division 4, ironically with Marsden AFC having won promotion from Division 5 as runners-up, due to take their place.
The 80's resurgence
Although the club had gone through a rapid decline of fortunes on the playing side during the 60‘s and 70's, it had a strong committee who ensured its' financial viability and had the foresite to develop proper long term plans. Their objective was to develop a club for all ages that could compete with the best local and regional teams both on and off the field.
By the late 70's a broad brush plan was in place which initially looked to bring all football activities in the village into the one club, thus maximising all available manpower and financial resources. This clearly involved bringing the Juniors and Marsden Old Boys "into the fold".
1979 had seen the Juniors join the club but attempts to bring in the Old Boys failed to materialise. It was felt best to concentrate on digesting the Juniors and getting them settled in and to fine tune what was to become a 5 Year Business Plan commencing in 1983.
The Juniors proved a great success and so attention was again centred on the Old Boys in early 1983, who by now had suffered a severe decline in fortunes. The time was ripe to merge the resources.
1983-84 the "new" Marsden Football Club
Following a series of meetings between working parties from both clubs, agreement was reached for them to join forces on 21st June 1983 at a specially convened meeting at Marsden Royal British Legion (at that time being used as the Headquarters of Marsden AFC). Marsden Football Club became the new name of the club whose officials were:-| President | Brian Irving | |
| Chairman | Mick Herbert | |
| Vice Chairman | Steve Butters | |
| Secretary | John Sykes | |
| Assistant Secretary | John Moxon | |
| Treasurer | Jack Midwood | |
| Assistant Treasurer | Rodney McLaughlin |
Plans included major improvements to the Fall Lane and Hemplow playing areas and changing rooms and to provide a clubhouse at Fall Lane.
Sponsorship of teams was also introduced and proved a success (£200 per Open age/£100 per Junior team)with Gelpack/Snappies sponsoring the first team.
On the playing side Open age District League teams remained in Division 4 winning the title and Reserve Division 3 wining the title after remaining unbeaten. A new "A" team introduced in to Reserve Division 4 just missed out on promotion, whilst in order to accommodate all the players, a team was entered in the Works League Division 2 as Marsden British Legion.
Four Junior teams were run – Under 12, 14, 16 and 18 providing continuity through to Open age. To accommodate these teams, on Saturdays the Under 18's continued to use Hollins Glen at Slaithwaite whilst the "First" and "Second" teams used Fall Lane. The "Third" and "Works" the Hemplow.
Although the Juniors failed to win anything, three "old boys" Andrew Watson, Ian Wadsworth and Robert Ragiste became apprentices at Huddersfield Town in July 1983. Under 16 goalkeeper Lee Martin (15 years old) was also on Associate Schoolboy terms with "Town" having been outstanding for Huddersfield Schools the previous two seasons, playing for his County and then for England at Wembley in March 1984 against Scotland. And so the first season following the merger proved a resounding success both on and off the field.
1984-85 a momentous year
Autumn 1984 saw the completion of a major part of the Plan with the old bakehouse in the Car Park converted into changing rooms in August then on 11th October the clubhouse opened. 30th October was the official opening by Frank Beaumont, President of the Huddersfield District FA. Bitter was priced at 66p per pint and Whisky 48p a measure!!
On the field things only got better with the appointment of Barry Gibson as "supremo" to oversee the operation of all four senior teams, training and to manage the "First" team. He introduced much needed discipline, fitness and determination. Not everyone liked his approach or could cope with his training, but he could not be faulted for his commitment or the results gained. In five seasons at the club through to the end of 1988-89 he guided the First team out of the District League into the WRCAL Division l.
This first year saw the First team Champions of Division 3, the Reserves Champions of Division II and Richardson Cup runners-up, "A" team miss promotion by one place & the Works League team Division II Champions. A hat-trick of Championships!
The Works League team lead by Manager/Captain Russell Peters did remarkably well considering they had really struggled the previous season and had to cope with the unsettled player position they were in being the "fourth" team.
Not to be outdone the Under 16's finished as Champions, H & D FA Minor Trophy Winners and League Cup runners-up. The Under 14's were runners-up whilst the 12's finished mid-table. There was no Under 18's due to the Red Triangle League folding through lack of support.
Seven teams winning five trophies – not bad.
There is no doubt the opening of the clubhouse combined with the drive of Barry Gibson helped to generate tremendous spirit within the club which was reflected in the playing performances.
1985-86 Consolidation
The season opened in August with a President's XI v Huddersfield Town XI organised by Brian Shears to raise funds for the club. Town won 8-1, The likes of the retired Roy Ellam, Jimmy McGill, Steve Smith, Bob Wallis and Steve Kindon aided by some apprentices proved far to good for Brian Shears, Geoff Lodge, Duncan Matley, Jonathon Pigford and Bob Simmonite. It was young Nick Howe who scored for Marsden.
On Sunday 2nd March 1986 Steven David Simmonite's Testimonial match took place at Fall Lane between a team from the club and a Representative District League XI. Marsden won 2-1in front of a large crowd who had turned up to pay their tribute to Steve who had been at the forefront of local amateur football for over 30 years, in particular in Marsden where he lived. Failing health over the past six months had meant him having to take things easier. Steve was small in stature but a giant for the club.
Continuing success came again on the field, the First team just failed to make it a hat trick of promotions missing out by one place. The Reserves did well in their first season in the top division to finish fourth but went one better in the Richardson Cup beating Golcar 1-0 in the final at Brook Motors with a Tony Cross goal. Outstanding amongst others was Johnny Joyce, still playing in the Under 16 team.
Not to be outdone the "A" team gained promotion as joint runners-up of Division IV whilst the Works Team did well to finish mid table in their first year in the top flight. The Juniors enjoyed mixed fortune with the 12's and 14's both finishing third bottom but the 16's, third in the league, went on to lift the League Cup beating Wyke 6-1 at ICI. Captain Matthew Dalton received the trophy from Trevor Cherry.