Marine FC: A Journey Like No Other
A look into the recent success of the Crosby club
Monday, November 30th, 2020 – one day that changed a football club forever.
This was the day Robbie Savage pulled Marine out of the hat in the FA Cup third-round draw to face Premier League leaders, Tottenham Hotspur. Mourinho at Marine? Surely not. That phrase echoed through the streets of Crosby in the weeks that followed, as the town couldn’t believe the draw that had just made history.
Under the cloak of COVID, intense preparation followed as board members, volunteers and fans began their journey on transforming their football club forever.
What followed was two promotions, two Liverpool Senior Cups, a stadium transformed, and a fanbase that have shared some special memories over the last five years.
The man that brought them this success? Neil Young.
One of the best managers to grace non-league football, the man that has brought this club to the highest of highs as they successfully achieved promotion to the Vanarama National League North- the highest the club has ever competed.
It is a journey that has led to the complete transformation inside and out. Something that has only brought positives to the players, staff, fans and the wider community.
After a long, hard season, The Mariners recently confirmed their safety in the sixth tier of English football whilst a new ground awaits on the horizon- yet another thing that can excite fans.
Neil Young: The man who made it all possible
When Neil Young first came into his role as Marine manager back in 2018, the club was unrecognisable to what it is today.
They had been battling relegation for the last few years, and after the departure of Tommy Lawson, Young was picked to lead the club forward into the next era.
After now being in charge of the club for the best part of seven years, the job he has done, the stuff he has achieved and the progression he has brought to the whole club is truly extraordinary.
Neil Young has taken Marine on some journey since joining back in 2018.
Neil Young has taken Marine on some journey since joining back in 2018.
Despite a relegation in his first season, there has rarely been a dark moment during the reign of Neil Young.
He has brought hope, joy and togetherness at a non-league club that was in a very difficult place when he first took charge.
Neil Young applauds the Marine faithful. Credit: Tom Murphy
Neil Young applauds the Marine faithful. Credit: Tom Murphy
Looking back at his time at the club, Young revealed his pride he has after giving the fans eternal happiness and memories that will last a lifetime.
He said:
“I’m really made up with how far we’ve come. We’ve now got one base which is good, before that we were all over Liverpool training. We didn’t really have a base to sit down and have meetings, discuss tactics.
“I think off the back of the FA Cup run and the subsequent success, we’ve been able to improve the infrastructure, and we will continue to do that.
"The key thing is that when I leave this football club, I leave it in a much better position than when I got here.”
Young, 50, is very grateful for the amount of support he has had around him over the last seven years and believes none of this would have been possible with the people who work tirelessly behind the scenes.
Neil Young stands in front of the Marine faithful. Credit: Tom Murphy
Neil Young stands in front of the Marine faithful. Credit: Tom Murphy
“I think everyone has had their part to play, the staff who have been here before and now, the players that have been here before and now, they’re the ones that have managed to do it on the football pitch.
“We mustn’t forget we’ve got a board of directors, an unbelievable fan base and that’s grown exponentially for a number of years and it’s continued to and the volunteers at the football club, we have a lot of people who do stuff just for the fun of the football club.
With the club recently confirming their stay in the National League North, Young is determined to end the season on a high in a division no one thought they would be competing in just seven years ago.
Neil Young embraces the crowd after beating Kidderminster Harriers 3-1 at home. Credit: Jack Berry
Neil Young embraces the crowd after beating Kidderminster Harriers 3-1 at home. Credit: Jack Berry
Memories that will last a lifetime: Niall Cummins relives the 2020/21 FA Cup run
“It is impossible to describe!”
Niall Cummins, former Marine captain takes a step back in time as he relives the cup run of 2020 and the game against Tottenham Hotspur in January 2021.
Cummins scored the goal against Havant and Waterlooville to send Marine into the third round tie against the Premier League leaders at the time.
Playing in the midst of COVID must have been strange, what was that like?
It was a weird feeling and looking back it is impossible to describe, we were all unsure what games would be played because of the coronavirus, we weren’t sure if fans would be coming in. That was the unfortunate thing actually, when I scored against Havant and Waterlooville there were no fans there to see my goal!
When the goal did go in, it was probably the biggest goal in this current Marine era, the fans that were in the ground still made a hell of a lot of noise, the board and a couple of fans in the stands.
And after that, what was it like? It must have been chaos.
It was a whirlwind 48 hours in fact the whole season and the cup run was really just mad.
Sometimes I was ignoring calls. Neil and the gang brought in a media officer and that kind of gave us an idea of what not to say and how to go about things, that was a bit of an eye opener.
But our lads, they’re not daft. If you get a call you say the right things, if you’re doing an interview don’t try and be silly and give too much away.
It was an eye opener and a snapshot of what it’s like to be in the limelight of the professionals really.
What was it like back home?
Obviously, I’m a PE teacher, there was a lot of stick given as they all knew I was an Arsenal fan who was about to play Spurs in the FA Cup third round!
They all started getting intrigued and watching the club. They would give me stick saying all sorts about the way I was playing and what I should’ve done.
But no on a serious note, it actually made us form a lot close relationships with my students. They were in the office once or twice a week trying to talk to us and egging us on. It was really good fun. It was a really good time actually.
A crazy buildup and then you’re playing Spurs, what was that day like?
The news came in that Gareth Bale was on the bench and Neil Young jokingly said we might have a chance. They didn’t underestimate us, the lineup they put out was full of incredible plays, they were next level. But you know they were gracious they weren’t too selfish as a team I suppose.
Genuinely I thought our chance would be ten times more if the fans were there, I just think the thought of a fan touching you on the shoulder as you’re taking a throw in would have scared the life out of them. Some of our fans at the time, I thought yes, we could scare the life out of them.
Who did you swap shirts with?
At the time everyone probably thought it was Gareth Bale or Harry Kane. But I really admired and liked the attitude of Son.
I liked everything about him he didn’t moan he just gets on with it, tries no matter what and it’s hung up next to mine in my closet at home actually.
I’ve got a few good Spurs mates who I should probably give it to, but I’m still tempted to frame it.
How nice is it seeing how far the club has come since?
It’s good to see that you’ve made a hell of an impact and it helped this club move forward. It is a pity success sometimes is the only way you can bring fans back.
But to see it grow and once you get the young lads through the doors and it just evolves and evolves. I’ve seen the attendances from the last two seasons not just this season.
It’s really good to see and I know the players will be very thankful for that because they are a twelfth man when they’re on your side and its brilliant to see, hopefully it continues.
The Mariners watch on. Credit Jack Berry.
The Mariners watch on. Credit Jack Berry.
New incomers and familiar faces
As the manager of the club has stated himself, the hard work that has been done behind the scenes to get them were they are today has also been amazing.
At its core a lot of the faces at the club have been around in some cases for decades, and they have worked tirelessly to give the fans the success they have had over the last handful of years.
This success has brought new opportunities and roles that have improved the team not only on the pitch but off it too.
CEO James Leary has been at Marine for several years now; his role is an example of an important position that has increased in responsibility at the club in recent years.
New jobs have also been created after the success of the FA Cup run which generated over £650k.
This included the 32,202 virtual tickets sold for the game against Tottenham Hotspur.
Leary admits his role has been made easier by the introduction of the roles and believes working for the club is now a team effort.
He said:
“We’ve got a lot of staff that help and a committee of nine people, everyone’s got their own specific roles as well. Everyone is working together to try and get to where we need to get to."
The average attendance of home matches has increased by over one thousand jumping up to an average of 1,400 Mariners at the MTA. Before 2021, just 350.
Marine's attendances are averaging over a thousand more than five years ago.
Marine's attendances are averaging over a thousand more than five years ago.
Revenues at the club continue to rise and have taken a massive upturn reaching figures exceeding £1 million.
There has also been a huge expansion of ‘Marine in the Community’. A new 3G pitch has been placed at the MTA which has helped the community by providing a facility that is available on a daily basis.
Leary is incredibly proud he has been able to help the community after the success the club have experienced.
“It’s great, hopefully we can just carry on and the success doesn’t end here.” He said.
“The fans have been absolutely unbelievable, the way they have got behind not just the team but the whole club over the last five years has been absolutely brilliant.
“Ultimately without the fans we would not have achieved what we’ve done over the last three, four years. It’s everyone getting behind us that has made it all happen.”
Community opportunities occur throughout the week at the MTA with plenty of people getting involved.
Community opportunities occur throughout the week at the MTA with plenty of people getting involved.
Not everything has stayed as it was...
Whilst the majority of roles at the club have stayed the same, there have been a few new additions since the success of the famous FA Cup run.
One of these is Seán Ó Dochartaigh, the current analyst at the club.
Ó Dochartaigh has been in this job for three seasons and plays a vital role when preparing for games.
His position was only added after the tie against Tottenham Hotspur and has since proven a massive boost for manager Neil Young and his squad.
“With the manager we have in Neil [Young], I think it is massive for him, said Ó Dochartaigh.
“If you look at the FA Cup runs, I think after last season, in six years he played 36 FA Cup games which surely has to be the most in the country. Knocking out 16 teams higher up than us is massive.”
Ó Dochartaigh’s position consists of a handful of responsibilities.
A week for him varies, depending on what the upcoming fixtures look like in the week, but the main concern always stays the same-prepare the players the best he can.
Researching, filming aspects of games, allocating stats, conducting pre match warm ups are all things the club analyst holds responsibility for. They are always done in the appropriate way to benefit the players on a matchday.
Ó Dochartaigh believes his work is appreciated by both players and staff.
He said:
“He [Neil Young] trusts it and he is big into analysis so it’s a big help for me in the role to have a manager like that.
“The lads are good, it definitely helps them its shown that with results, especially when you look at FA Cup runs and stuff and winning playoffs and big games and I think that helps them.”
With the club still experiencing a positive projection, Ó Dochartaigh is set on helping the club in its current position and believes now isn’t the time for further roles to be added to the club.
He said:
“At the moment we are semi-professional so you can not bombard the lads with things which is why I do the warmups as well.
“We used to have Danny, he used to do the strength conditioning, something I did as an intern at Everton so its kind of two roles into one at the minute.
"Because it is semi professional there is only so much you can do to help the team.”
Chris Doyle- a player’s eye on things
Marine FC holds a special place in lots of people’s hearts, it is no different for defender and local player, Chris Doyle
Having attended Sacred Heart Catholic College and grown up in the Crosby area his whole life, Marine was always on the doorstep for Marine's number five.
His dad would take him to Marine games when he was a child. 20 years later and the 30 year old has made over 100 appearances during his two spells at the club
Doyle's first run at Marine was during the 2018/19 season, when things were a lot different compared to now. He returned to the club in 2023 after spending two years at both FC United of Manchester and Southport.
Doyle explained how he was always keen on coming back to Marine, especially with Neil Young at the helm.
He said:
“Getting a chance to come back to Marine was a no brainer for me really.
“The ground and the atmosphere, I know everyone in the area so it’s sort of like a family, a togetherness. That’s what the club means to me.”
The defender has scored six goals for his side this season as they continue to fight to stay at the highest level they have competed at.
Doyle is extremely proud of how far the club has come.
He said:
“It’s amazing to see and when I came back to play for Youngy [Neil Young], last season it was something I wanted to be apart of.
"I knew Marine were on the up and I’ve always wanted to know how they got on and I followed their results.
“What we achieved last season was amazing not just for myself and the players but for the club and the area it just made a massive lift and people on my street still talk about it.”
When returning to Marine, things had changed massively and for Doyle, there is one change that really stands out.
“Since my first time around at Marine, we were getting 300 fans, I think one time we got 1000 in an FA Cup game against Salford and that was unheard of. He said.
"We are now playing much better football in front of consistent 1500 crowds, the attendances are absolutely amazing, the whole buzz around Crosby is amazing.
“The atmosphere around the club is amazing. Even off the pitch what it has done for the bar for example is just a massive lift."
Like all clubs, the players all do it for the fans.
Marine fans have experienced a journey of a lifetime: Doyle is one of the best examples you will find.
The importance of coverage
In Marine’s case, success has brought the club an increase of 40,000 followers on Twitter (X) as well as the rise in attendances.
Coverage on games has become much more important with the higher demand to provide fans with coverage on Marine games whether they are at the game physically or keeping up to date virtually.
Marine’s media team is another example of something that has expanded since 2021 with more volunteers getting involved and helping with various roles such as commentary, managing socials, interviewing and match reports.
The Marine media team now consists of six members.
The Marine media team now consists of six members.
Member of the media team and public announcer (PA) at home games, Stuart Wilks-Heeg has highlighted the importance of the coverage the media team gives to the increased fan base.
He said:
“For away games, obviously there are fans who can’t make it and they often describe it as a lifeline, they often feel like it is a really important thing for them.
“People can keep up with the game via Twitter (X) and that’s a really vital function as well.
"But I think people when they're really keen and they're in the situation they will listen to the commentary that's what they prefer to do. So whenever I do it, I get really positive feedback from people.'
Listeners on Marine’s official radio, that streams on Mixlr, averages listeners of 80 at home and can exceed 100 when the team play away.
Marine's media team are often found behind the goal at the MTA.
Marine's media team are often found behind the goal at the MTA.
These numbers passed 2000 when Marine faced Macclesfield FC in the play-off final in 2024, something Professor Wilks-Heeg will never forget.
“The one that will always stand in my memory is that game (Macclesfield vs Marine). There were all these people piling onto the commentary and sending all these positive messages about how we need to beat Macclesfield.
"The intensity of the game, the adrenaline that’s flowing through you was absolutely amazing.
“People really value it, it’s a great thing to do. People can listen for free. It’s all done by volunteers and virtually every non-league club does it so it’s an amazing thing that exists.”
Despite the increase of fans, followers, listeners, Marine to a lot of fans, remains the same. A home where the majority are connected as one.
Marine FC: A family
There haven’t been many clubs in the last few years that have enjoyed better times than Marine FC.
There have been plenty of happy faces at the MTA during Neil Young's reign. Credit Jack Berry
There have been plenty of happy faces at the MTA during Neil Young's reign. Credit Jack Berry
Fans across Crosby have relished in the success they have experienced following their local club over the last few years.
Success has brought lots of attention to the club over the last five years and Marine fans have experienced memories that will last a lifetime.
Bobby Rooney, Marine fan and member of The Crosender Way supporters’ group is astonished with how far the club has come and has full praise for the manager.
He said:
“Everything about the club has changed because of Neil [Young]. The whole culture with everything we have done has been brilliant.
"Without that game against Spurs, we would never have seen the things we have seen.
“It has been amazing, from seeing 300 fans at the games to getting 1900 against Hereford.
“We are starting to look like a side that is now competing in the National League North. The rise has been amazing, and it is great to see so many new faces come to every game.”
The Marine fans always show great support home and away. Credit Jack Berry
The Marine fans always show great support home and away. Credit Jack Berry
Rooney has been following the club for many years and is pleased with how the fans have united since he started following the club.
He said:
“I really enjoy the togetherness of it. When we first started coming to the game there was lots of people who are in different groups, but now, especially on an away perspective we are getting 70 a game.
“Seeing so many people come together, having that passion and love for Marine it’s nothing short of amazing.
It’s great, that is what I love.”
Fans and the wider community have also seen improvements off the pitch.
Renovations to the club bar and function suite have vastly improved the experience for supporters on a match day whilst also offering social gatherings away from the games themselves.
Improvements to the bar area at the MTA have helped develop the club even further.
Improvements to the bar area at the MTA have helped develop the club even further.
"The priority is absolutely safety"- keeping the fans in tact
The Mariners are currently averaging the eighth best average attendance in the National League North- a phenomenal achievement for a club that was once getting crowds of 350.
All smiles from Bobby after Marine defeat Needham Market away from home. Credit: Tom Murphy
All smiles from Bobby after Marine defeat Needham Market away from home. Credit: Tom Murphy
This rise in numbers has made the role of match day stewards a lot more important.
Jude Moizer, Chief Steward at the MTA reveals her job has increased in intensity after the rise of supporters coming to match days.
She said:
“There is a lot more pressure, we just like to make sure it is a safe environment for everyone.
“Unfortunately, with this day and age we are living in, with this many people, we do not know every individual who is coming in or what their history is, so the priority is absolutely safety for everyone.”
The role of a steward has certainly increased in recent years at Marine. Credit: Tom Murphy
The role of a steward has certainly increased in recent years at Marine. Credit: Tom Murphy
The role Mozier undertakes continues away from pitch side.
Calls are made and research is undertaken throughout the week with the welfare officer and support agencies so that the stewards on a matchday can be fully prepared and prevent incidents from happening.
Protocols to keep everyone safe have also increased in importance with attendances growing and stewards have completed the level two spectator safety certificate which includes emergency first aid and anti-terrorism aspects.
It is rare to find an empty seat at the Marine Travel Arena nowadays. Credit: Jack Berry
It is rare to find an empty seat at the Marine Travel Arena nowadays. Credit: Jack Berry
“Before people come in, we will do a tour of the ground and make sure there is no bags or anything left around. It is just the sign of the times that we are living in, said Mozier
“The higher up in the leagues you go, the more paperwork there is to fill in around that side of it."
It might be a very stressful role, and one that has certainly increased in importance since Marine’s promotions, but Mozier still enjoys being a part of such a close community.
She said:
“The area I am in is great I get to know loads of people and the players and coaching teams and build up relationships with them.
Marine's stewards are all volunteers and are responsible for the safety of over 1000 Marine fans every match day. Credit: Tom Murphy
Marine's stewards are all volunteers and are responsible for the safety of over 1000 Marine fans every match day. Credit: Tom Murphy
“Players from both the women’s and the men’s team know that if there is anything they need, any support, that there is someone there that they can talk to. That is my favourite part of it.”
Whilst there have been many changes in and around the Crosby club, the togetherness and family-like atmosphere at Marine has remained the same, and it certainly won't be going anywhere anytime soon.
The future is bright
Like many football clubs across the country, success is shown not only from winning silverware but also from how well a club develops and moves on.
At a non-league level Marine FC have been the pinnacle of this.
Fans from across L23 and the wider area can look forward to something they wouldn't have dreamt of five years ago.
In 2027, a proposed scheme will begin for the construction of a new home for Marine FC.
If successful, it will be an illustration of how far the club has come by showing ambition to develop further in the years to come.
Credit: Marine FC
Credit: Marine FC
This wouldn’t have been possible without the success and the transformation of the club.
Higher attendances, an increase in revenue and a huge expansion of the community aspect at Marine has all led to the plans to change home.
After the declaration that the team from Crosby are to move home in the coming years, there were many different view points on the announcement from fans and the local community.
The majority of these were extremely positive, with most fans backing the opportunity to move into a new ground in the Thornton area.
Credit: Marine FC.
Credit: Marine FC.
Fans in the surrounding area are set to face some serious changes when the club opens its doors to a new stadium, but it is clear why the change has to happen now.
Various limitations surround the club with the current set-up at the Marine Travel Area including segregation issues and primarily, having just three sides.
Whilst the move will take the National League North team outside of the ‘Crosby area” it seems that the positives are outweighing the handful of negatives at present.
One issue that fans have voiced was the travel situation. Vice Chairman, Dave MacMillan believes this won’t be a problem.
He said:
“In terms of Edge Lane I don’t think it’s as bad now [traffic wise] since Brooms Cross was built.
“Inevitably there will be some improvements that we and Bellway are going to have to pay for.
“But actually I don’t see if you have traffic light control on and off, it’s not that busy except from rush hour.
Credit: Marine FC
Credit: Marine FC
There is no doubt that fans close to the MTA will be disappointed that they can’t make the five minute walk to watch their team anymore, but 90% of members voted in favour of the move when the plan was proposed to them in January.
Club member, Stuart Wilks-Heeg says he will miss the MTA but believes now is the right time to move.
He said:
“One of the reasons I got involved with Marine was because it was so close, I can literally see the ground from my upstairs window.
“I will definitely miss it; it’s just being able to walk around the corner to a football match. That’s special.
“I think it’s the right thing for the club, the limitations of the current ground, I love it, I love the games, I love the atmosphere, but seriously looking five to ten years ahead it’s just not really viable.”
Helping the community has always been and will continue to be a priority for the Merseyside club.
The new ground is set to increase opportunities for the surrounding area with apartments, a hotel and dentist set to be constructed within the new area.
CEO, James Leary has vowed to fans that this aspect of the club will not only remain but improve in the future.
He said:
“It’s massively important [the community], we hope we can do the local bit for the local area just as we would like to think we do here around College Road.
“A lot of thought has gone into it in terms of being a really long term project that will hopefully benefit the local community.”
Credit: Marine FC
Credit: Marine FC
It will be a big change for the club, fans and community and one where many people are bound to be affected.
However, for the long term, a new home could be a huge leap in the right direction not just for Marine but for the L23 postcode too.
Credit: Adam Yates
Credit: Adam Yates
One manager, one unbelievable fan base and a journey that has transformed a whole community on its head.
The club have come a long way since Robbie Savage pulled their name out the hat to play Tottenham Hotspur in the FA Cup in November 2020.
Their latest triumph? Beating Savage's Macclesfield FC to claim promotion to the sixth tier of English football- a full circle moment for The Mariners.
Marine can now look forward to a new beginning, a showcase of their success, a home where old memories can be preserved, and new ones can be made.
The journey continues...
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