Head and shoulders above the rest, meet UK’s tallest family
THE long and short of it is they are Britain’s tallest family with a combined height of nearly 35ft – almost 10ft taller than the average two-storey home.
All five of the Marsh clan are six-footers – with the youngest, 16-year-old Matthew the tallest of all.
Parents Angela, 47, and husband Tim, 53, are 6ft and 6ft 7in respectively. But they still look up to their three sons.
The oldest Oscar, 21, is 6ft 10in, while Samuel, 19, is 6ft 9in – but Matthew already measures a staggering 6ft 11in.
And and that has put him on the road to basketball stardom. For he has become the first British youngster to sign for Barcelona and play in Spain’s top professional division.
Matthew, of Truro, Cornwall, started his career in Penryn but for the past year has played for two top teams in Reading and represented England.
He said: “I am delighted to be going to Barcelona to continue to develop my basketball career following an enjoyable and successful year. The support from coaches and staff has enabled me to pursue my dream career for which I am really grateful.”
His proud dad Tim said the tall genes that has seen Matthew come to the attention of leading basketball clubs around the world had come from both sides of his family.
He said: “Our oldest Oscar is 6ft 10in and our other son Samuel is 6ft 9in. They are also keen basketball players. Even though I am 6ft 7in, I look small compared to them.”
He added: “Matt didn’t start playing basketball until about three years ago. A lot have been playing since they were five or six so he has been playing catch-up. His rise has all been very rapid. One minute he started playing and then he was in the England team in 18 months. When he started at 13, he was probably already about 6ft 4in.
“We are extremely proud of him. To get a scholarship to Barcelona is a hell of an achievement. They are one of the best teams in the world.”