IT’S THE END OF AN ERA FOR SAD UNITED
Seasiders resign from NPL
MARSKE United are no longer a Northern Premier League club after their financial battle to keep their season going fell short of its target – but departing boss Graeme Lee says their long-term survival is paramount.
The Seasiders have enjoyed a remarkable period of success after progressing into Step 3 for the first time in their history in 2022 after claiming the Northern League title for the second time in four seasons in 2018.
However, Marske revealed they needed to raise £120,000 to keep the club in business for the remainder of the season in a statement released last month following the departure of former chairman Mark Harkin and a delay in the completion of a takeover at Mount Pleasant.
Fundraising efforts were supported by former players, managers, supporters and a number of other Non-League clubs – but their efforts fell short as the official confirmation of Marske’s resignation from the league was released on Thursday morning.
A statement released by the Northern Premier League read: “On January 3, 2024, the Northern Premier League received a letter of resignation from Marske United FC along
with a signed motion voted upon by the club’s committee present at a meeting held on January 2 confirming the decision to resign from membership of the NPL.
Updates
“The league has been in regular dialogue with Mark Hastings-Long, chairman of Marske United, providing help and guidance. Mr Hastings-Long has been working hard to find a way to address the issues facing the club and has provided regular updates to the league.
“However, the latest financial information shows the accumulated monthly losses mean that the club cannot realistically complete the 2023/24 playing season.
“The league is disappointed and sad to lose a member
in such circumstances and thanks the club for their attention and efforts over the past few weeks.
“The NPL board will convene in the coming days and no further statement will be issued until after that meeting.”
Funding
Although Marske are no longer a Northern Premier League club, senior football in the town will still take place after the Seasiders revealed their reserve team fixtures will be hosted at their Mount Pleasant home, with supporters allowed entry free of charge.
Talks with the Football Association regarding which league the Seasiders will compete in next season are already underway – although any formal decision will not be ratified until the end of the current campaign. For former manager Lee, who this week took over the helm at National League North side Spennymoor Town, the main positive to come out of such a challenging period in their history is that Marske United FC return in some form next season.
He told The NLP: “The last couple of months were all about trying to keep the club going, to keep the squad together and to keep the club alive until the end of the season.
“It just got too much for us all and I had conversations with the chairman. There was no other option but what happened with the resignation from the league.
“The main thing is that there will be a club and the funding will help with that. We needed a backer to keep it where it is and they will be able to start in a new league, debt-free, and build again.
“It might take two, three or four years to build properly but the club being alive is the most important thing.”