MARLOW FC NEWS

Marlow To Vote On Possible Ground Move - 24 May

Members of Marlow FC have been asked to vote on a scenario which could see the club eventually leave its Oak Tree Road ground and move to Wilks Park, home of Flackwell Heath FC.

The Maidenhead Advertiser reports currently Marlow and Flackwell Heath are signed up to a ‘tripartite agreement’ with NWE.UK.Ltd, a company which is looking at ways to build a new stadium for both clubs to share at Little Marlow gravel pits.

A planning application was refused for a new ground at the gravel pits nearly three years ago and, while that is still the preferred site, there is another option included in the agreement. That is that should NWE obtain planning permission to develop on the site of Flackwell Heath’s Wilks Park ground, the Heathens would move to Marlow and share Oak Tree Road having acquired 50 per cent of the equity. Both clubs would also receive a capital sum.

What has never been an option, however, is that Marlow could leave Oak Tree Road and make the move to share with Flackwell Heath. But that has now changed as NWE have written to members of Marlow FC, proposing to reconsider the terms of the original tripartite agreement.

NWE want a new option inserted which would allow Marlow to move to Wilks Park, should planning permission be obtained to develop on the Oak Tree Road site.

A voting slip has now been sent out to the members asking them to give permission to the club’s officers to enter into negotiations with NWE regarding the possible amendment. Should the club’s officers then reach an agreement with NWE, another vote will be held to decide whether the new option is inserted into the agreement.

If the majority of members vote to accept the proposal, they will each receive a payment of £2,500 in compensation from NWE which will be paid immediately on the execution of the amended tripartite agreement. Should Marlow then eventually be required to relocate to Wilks Park, a further payment of £5,000 will be made to each of the voting members.

The possibility of leaving Oak Tree Road has raised some concerns around Marlow and chairman Terry Staines admits he doesn’t want to leave the town. But he says the future sustainability of the club means all options need to be explored. “I don’t want to leave,” he said. “I don’t think anyone wants to. But the question is, as a last resort, what can we do? This isn’t a vote to decide on moving. It’s a vote to give us permission to go into negotiations with NWE to explore the option. If the gravel pits get permission then that’s absolutely superb. If it doesn’t, then what are the alternatives? Flackwell Heath have signed up to come to Marlow as a fallback but Marlow has not signed up to move to Flackwell Heath. This vote is to enter negotiations to possibly bring that option about.”

Unhappy With Officials - 25 April

Marlow manager Mark Bartley, felt the match official’s marred the Bluefin Insurers Challenge Cup Semi Final, and came away aggrieved on Tuesday night.

Oxford City Nomads won 3-1 at Marlow and now go on to meet Cheltenham Saracens in the final at Ardley United on May 6. Commenting in the Bucks Free Press Bartley blasted: “We have had some bad officials, but that was the worst. I don’t want to use it as an excuse. We’re a high tempo team, but when the game is stop start it doesn’t really work in our favour. It’s tough to take. I am hard on the players when they don’t perform, but I can’t say too much to them. We just didn’t get much luck today. Well done to Oxford, they have played well and got the result; I think they will go on to win it.”

The loss will be a dampener on this week’s events at the club, but Bartley believes that the loss will spur his side to finish the season strongly, they meet the other Challenge Cup Finalists Cheltenham Saracens at The Alfred Davis ground on Saturday. He explained: “We’ve got two games left; we want to win those two games. The target when we came here was to get promoted and win the league. We did that. We are reeling from the loss, but I know my team and someone will be on the receiving end - you don’t want to be the next team that will play us. You’ll see that on Saturday.”

Blues Set For Title Party - 19 April

Marlow need just one more point from their final three Hellenic League Premier Division matches to be certain of scooping the title and promotion.

They lead second-placed Wantage Town by 14 points after beating them 3-0 on Saturday, and it would now take a miracle to prevent the Blues from bouncing back to the Southern League just one season after being relegated. In fact not only do Marlow need to lose all their matches, but Wantage will need to win all their remaining five games – they won 4-0 against Shrivenham last night – to stop the Blues from lifting the title which has seemed destined to be theirs for many months.

Any real doubt as to the direction of the Premier Division crown was allayed last weekend when an own goal and two late strikes from Ben Gladwin ensured Marlow beat Wantage 3-0, realistically ending the Oxfordshire side’s faint hopes of finishing top.

Marlow manager Mark Bartley was full of praise for his side who have lost just once in 33 league starts. “I was really pleased with the performance and, of course, the result,” he said. “I thought we were always the better side and apart from one cross, I can’t remember our keeper having anything to do. It was handy that we went ahead thanks to an own goal when one of their defenders netted under pressure, meaning that Wantage had to come out and score which made it easier for us. Yet for all our pressure, including hitting the post and going close, the result was not decided until late. Ben Gladwin scored two brilliant goals on 86 and 93 minutes which was great for him as it highlighted just how superb he has been since he returned.”

He added: “It was all about getting the job done, which we did. Look, we scored three past Wantage, who are second, a week after putting four past third-placed Ardley United. It’s fair to say the boys are very happy at the moment.”

The Blues will be crowned champions by avoiding defeat at Abingdon tomorrow, but Bartley wants more than to just scrape home, he still has targets for his team to hit. He said: “Now we head to Abingdon Town needing one point which should be enough given our superior goal difference to Wantage. However, we want to win all our remaining games. It would be nice to win the league by double figures."

In Their Own Hands - 5 April

A three-match burst against the second and third placed teams in the division should be an ominous stretch for a side hoping to nail down the title.

However Marlow have been so supreme this season that it will be a shock if they finish with Saturday's match against Ardley and the double-header with Wantage having not wrapped up the league. Manager Mark Bartley said: “We will pay attention to the big games against Wantage after we have got the result against Ardley. There are still a few games left and Wantage have a few games in hand on us so there is still a bit of work to do. If we don’t get results in the next three games, I can see the league going down to the wire. It will be a tough next three games but if we get results from them I think that it could seal the title for us. We will look to beat Ardley and Wantage to take us over the line.“

The Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders will go into the game on Saturday having secured a hard fought 2-1 victory over Thame in their last game on Easter Monday. Goals from Ian Davies and Michael Bartley secured the win and manager Bartley was delighted with the win. He said: "It wasn’t the greatest of games as it was quite windy which spoilt the game a bit. The pitch wasn’t too bad but it was a bit soft which made it a scrappy game but it was a well deserved win."

Title Is Not Enough For Bartley - 29 March

Marlow FC boss Mark Bartley says he honestly does not know how many more wins his team need to scoop the Hellenic Premier Division title because he is focused on winning all the remaining six games.

For Bartley it is not enough to finish top, but he also wants to be well clear of any nearest rivals so there is no doubt as to which is the best team in the league. “We have six games left and our aim is to win all six,” he said. “I have honestly not looked at how many points we need to secure the title. Our only aim is to add 18 points to the ones we already have in the bag. I really want to lay down a marker and not just win the title, but by a margin, so that there is no doubt as to which is the best team in the division.”

Though he does say: “If we win our remaining matches then we could take the title by at least nine points and that would be quite something.”

The Blues did not have the opportunity to add to their points tally in the past week as their top of the table clash with Wantage Town last Saturday was postponed because of the wintry weather, though on Tuesday they were in Bluefin Sports Hellenic League Challenge Cup quarter-final action at Kidlington, a match they easily won 6-2.

Bartley was delighted with the performance, saying: “We scored six but created another four or five chances. We really could have scored 10. I was pleased with the way we went forward, it was one of the best attacking performances  of the season.”

The Blues are next in action on Easter Monday when they travel for a match at Thame United.

Toughest Place In The League - 21 March

Uhlsport Hellenic League Premier Division leaders Marlow FC traveled home last night with one point, from what manager Mark Bartley described as the 'toughest place to visit in the league'.

Cheltenham Saracen's held promotion hopefuls Marlow to a 1-1 draw, prior to the game Bartley was expecting his side to have a battle on their hands.

He said: "The pitch there can be difficult. It's not the flattest of surfaces and is never that well rolled. They are competitive, hard working, fit and strong, and well organised. They have been together for a while so it will be a test, but we are prepared for it. We are under no illusions as to what we will face, but I have confidence in my players and I know we can go there and get the job done."

Ray Spence, who has scored 27 goals in 31 games in all Hellenic League competitions this season, added to his tally as Marlow's goal scorer at Cheltenham

On Saturday Marlow host second placed Wantage Town, who Bartley watched beat Ascot United 3-1 on Tuesday night. This will be a key game for both sides, Marlow are 18 points to the better over the Oxfordshire side, though Wantage have 5 games in hand and will be all out for a win and three points.

Poor Loser - 7 February

Mark Bartley, who admits to being a poor loser, was left disappointed by the effort of some of his players after Marlow were unexpectedly knocked out of the AM Print & Copy Floodlit Cup in the quarter-finals by hosts Fairford Town on Tuesday.

Bartley took a chance by making nine changes to the team which beat Reading Town 5-1 on Saturday, but he expected his side to be more competitive against a team from a lower division. Commenting to the Maidenhead Advertiser he said. “I made nine changes, which I know was a big ask, but it was still a game we could have won, I hate losing. I detest it, whatever the match. I can be like a bear with a sore head afterwards. I was disappointed that some of the guys who were given the chance to perform did not step up to the plate. There was an opportunity to make a mark, but some did not take it.”

However, it was not all negative news for the Blues boss who was delighted with the effort of his younger players. “The positive was that we had three under-18 players and I thought they were all excellent.They showed enough to make me think maybe they should be permanent members of the 22/23-man squad, maybe more so than some of the other more established guys.”

Depth Of Squad - 31 January

Marlow boss Mark Bartley believes he has the squad to cope with a now inevitable spring fixture pile-up.

The Uhlsport Hellenic League leaders have seen four games called off in recent weeks as their march to promotion has ground to a halt. Bartley insists they won’t be derailed by a Saturday, Tuesday regime. He said: “At the start of the season I wanted to run with a high number. I wanted a squad of 22, 23 players and I think now is the time that strength will start to show itself. We’ve got three good goalkeepers, we’ll be fine in terms of numbers in the forward line, and we’ve got four or five in the middle of the park with a few returning to swell the numbers. In an ideal world I’d like another defender and I will look to do something about that in the next couple of weeks. But if you said I couldn’t sign anyone I’d be comfortable with what I’ve got.”

If they do need a boost, Phil John (pictured) has just returned to training after breaking his leg in September. He scored ten goals before then, while central midfielder Chris Hatton is also on the mend. They won’t be fit for Saturday’s visit from Reading Town though, which should be Marlow’s first game since January 12. Bartley said: “I came from there and so did one or two players, so I expect them to have extra fire in their bellies for this one. There is a lot of feeling, good or bad, between Reading Town and myself and a few of my players. But we’ll be professional and prepare as we always do.”

Bartley is eager that his team regain their form and focus. In addition, it is reported in one media portal, that he can’t deny that it means more to defeat a previous employer especially one where the parting had an acrimonious element. It comments Bartley, who left as boss at Scours Lane to take the reins at Oak Tree Road during the summer, acknowledged there is a slight edge to the contest for him. “When I go back, I get one or two funny comments from people around the club,” he said. “But I have no bad feelings towards the club in general. When you look at the two clubs now, I do feel vindicated in my decision to leave Reading and come to Marlow.I can’t lie it’s always nice to get one over a previous club and it makes a win that little bit more special. On the other hand, a defeat hurts just that litte bit more.”

Bartley stressed that the match was not about him though, but about his side taking three points and reasserting their  position as title favourites in the Hellenic League Premier Division. He said: “We want to do the double over Reading Town, and also it’s a derby of sorts. Just like playing against Flackwell Heath or Binfield or Holyport, you want to do well. And we have done well in these games this season.”

Gladwin To Join Hayes & Yeading - 26 January

Marlow FC's attacking midfielder Ben Gladwin will join Blue Square Conference South side Hayes & Yeading.

The young player (pictured) who was with Hayes & Yeading before joining Hellenic League Reading Town, signed for Marlow in the close season following Manager Mark Bartley's move to the Buckinghamshire club from Reading Town. He has been one of the players to catch the  eye in Marlow’s title chasing campaign.

Blues boss Mark Bartley wished him well, saying: “I’m pleased for the lad. He’s impressed a lot of people this season and it’s a great opportunity for him to play in the Conference. I won’t be looking to replace him from outside the squad. I believe Marcus Mealing can play that sort of role, that’s where I think he’s at his best.”

Marlow, who had both of their games matches this week postponed, were due to travel and play Abingdon Town today but this fixture has also fallen foul of the weather conditions.

Their next fixture is scheduled for next Saturday, when Bartley's previous club Reading Town will be the opposition at the Oak Tree Road ground.

Not Shocked - 18 January

Marlow are streaking away at the top of the Uhlsport Hellenic League freezing temperatures denied Mark Bartley’s men the opportunity to land another blow midweek and the same may apply tomorrow, with 16 league games left, the Blues are looking more and more like champions-elect.

Bartley said: “We’re not shocked at being here. It’s not giving us any butterflies. Everything we have done since the last week of June has been geared to being in this position at this time.”

They are 11 points clear at the top after inflicting a 4-1 victory on third-placed Binfield last weekend that Bartley believes has all-but ended their chances. He said: “They were ten points behind with a game in hand. If they’d beaten us and won that game they’ve been four points behind us. Now they need to win their game in hand to get to ten points. It’s a very different mentality.”

Ian Davies, Simieon Howell and two goals from Ray Spence underpinned the victory, but Marlow were frustrated four days later then their game at Wantage was frozen off. It was the third time in the last two months that the game between the two title favourites has been postponed. Bartley said: “We just want to get the game played. They wanted to play it as well because they’re getting a lot of fixtures piling up, but the referee was concerned about player safety and we accepted it reluctantly. It was probably the right thing to do.”

Though it might actually play into Marlow’s hands. Wantage are 14 points behind Marlow with five games in hand, but fixture congestion could catch up with them in the spring. Bartley said: “We’ve got ourselves in a position where we can heap pressure on the teams behind us. The bookmakers would probably have us and Wantage as joint favourites, but I think we can have a real good go at winning the league now.”

Weather-permitting, Marlow take on Cheltenham Saracens tomorrow. Ray Spence starts a two match ban from 19 January.

Happy Boss - 4 January

Marlow enter 2013 eight points clear at the top of the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division, Mark Bartley couldn’t be happier with how the first part of the season has panned out.

Bartley took over at Oak Tree Road in the summer following the Blues’ relegation from the Southern League and built almost an entirely new squad. Normally such dramatic changes bring a period of adaptation when results can suffer but that has not been the case with Marlow who have won 15 of their 20 league games, drawn three and lost just two. Bartley said: “I would have bitten your arm off to be in this position at the turn of the year. The boys have done great, I think we’ve had a great first half of the season. We’ve got a lot to be positive about, players like Ian Davies, Marcus Mealing, Michael Bartley are firing on all cylinders going forward. We’ve got players like Philip John and Chris Hatton to come back as well who were both outstanding at the start of the season.”

Although his side sit eight points clear at the top, Bartley knows there is still a long way to go as he looks to secure promotion back into the Evo-Stik Southern League. Third placed Wantage Town sit nine points adrift but have four games in hand so things are far from done and dusted. “They have four games in hand but everyone knows you would rather have points on the board,” said the Blues boss. “They have to win all of those games and we still have to play them twice. We go there in a couple of weeks and if we can get a result, that puts pressure on them.”

Marlow are due to travel to Holyport tomorrow as they look to make it eight wins in a row in the Premier Division. Their latest victory came on Saturday when they edged a thrilling clash with Highworth Town 5-4 at Oak Tree Road with Michael Bartley hitting a hat-trick. Davies and Ben Gladwin also scored in the win which stretched Marlow’s lead at the top of the table. Bartley added: “I was happy with the result, happy with how we looked as an attacking threat. Defensively we didn’t play well, we had to make some changes and I think that affected us. But I was never really concerned about losing the game. They went 2-1 and I think that was the only time they had the lead. Every time we went forward we looked like we would score.”

On the visit to near neighbours Holyport, the Blues boss mentioned: “It’s always a tough game against them, especially at their place. They have lots of pace out wide and are always a threat so it’s up to us to go there and get the job done.”

The game is in doubt though, as a quarter of the pitch at Summerleaze Village is still under water.

Bartley & Richardson Marlow Move - 6 June

Marlow F.C. announce that they have appointed a new management team to take them into the 2012/2013 season, their first in the Uhlsport Hellenic Premier Division.

Mark Bartley (pictured left) is taking over the management position and is well-known locally having played at Hayes, Slough Town, Burnham and Thame United before taking over as caretaker manager at Reading Town in the latter part of season 2011/2012 and guiding them to safety before leading them to a successful season last term with a young squad.

His assistant Marcus Richardson (right) gained both football league and non-league experience at clubs such as Cambridge United, Hartlepool, Torquay United, Rochdale, Bury Town, Yeovil Town, Farnborough Town and Windsor & Eton,  and is still available to turn out as a player.

Completing the line-up are coach Roy Hanley who holds a UEFA-B licence and Lawrence Kingsbury who was at AFC Bournemouth as a youngster and is a former national athlete who specialises on the conditioning and tactical aspects.