MARLOW UNITED NEWS
Pleasing First Hellenic Season for Marlow - 14th May

Marlow United are extremely pleased with their first ever season in the Sport Italia Hellenic League. While United spent most of the season in the nether regions of the division this was due in the main to some successful cup runs but finished strongly to claim 7th position in the table.

Team manager Kevin Carvell said, “At the beginning of the season we set out our stall to finish around mid table and perhaps embark on a good cup run. In the end we reached the semi final of the Berks & Bucks FA Cup as well as the final of the Reading Senior Cup. He went on to say, “Appearing in the FA Vase was a major boost to the club topped by receiving the team of the round award” This was a sharp learning curve for Marlow, but all in all they handled it very well and finished reasonably strongly. Carvell said, “Next season we shall be stronger, already I have had players approach me for next season and undoubtedly they will add strength to our squad. Next season we will be looking for a top 6 position and I am confident we can deliver”

United’s strong relationship with both Flackwell Heath FC and Marlow FC undoubtedly will help this ambition as already the Marlow FC management team of Stone and Bressington have indicated that that they are willing to provide coaching to the team and Flackwell Heath are happy with the ground share agreement and will be looking to continue this when the deal expires in 2 seasons time.

Marlow United now eagerly await the decision that may allow them entry into the FA Cup next season.
Madejski Bound -1st May
Marlow United’s gruelling but generally successful end of season culminates on Thursday 10th May with a fourth appearance at the Madejski Stadium when they face Highmoor-Ibis in the Reading Senior Cup Final, kick off is 6.30pm. United will be seeking a little bit of history where if they win will be the only team ever to achieve the local treble of Wycombe (twice), Maidenhead and Reading Senior Cup winners. However for United to achieve this they have to rid themselves of the Madejski jinx as they have lost 3 times previously at the Madejski most recently last season in the final of the same competition to newly promoted Ascot United.

United who have risen from third bottom to 8th position have three league games left and have 7th place as their target as they intend to gate crash the party as ‘top dogs’ of the Reading catchment area which will be a tremendous achievement in their first ever season in the Sport Italia Hellenic League. If they achieve this it may well be enough to enable qualification to next seasons FA Cup, which again will be a marvellous achievement.
MUFC Back At The Madejski - 28th March

Marlow United Football Club will be making their fourth cup final appearance in May at the Madejski Stadium home of Premiership club Reading FC. Having reached the Reading Senior Cup Final for the second consecutive season they await the winners of Henley Town and Highmoor-Ibis.

While United have played at the stadium on three occasions it is not by any means a lucky stadium as they have lost on all three occasions most recently last season in the final of the same competition. Still it’s a proud record and only Reading FC have played there more times!
Marlow Appoint Fully Qualified Physiotherapist - 20th January 2007

Marlow United have appointed Zoë Gasper (Bsc Hons) Physiotherapy MCSP MRC as club physiotherapist. Zoë who joined the squad a month ago has settled in well and has quickly become a popular member of the club. Her experience is invaluable as the club prepare for the upcoming rule, which will empower clubs to appoint a qualified therapist in time for next season. Zoë ticks all the boxes and is not a stranger to Hellenic League involvement as she spent a short spell at Penn & Tyler’s Green F.C. where she ran a clinic at their training sessions. Graduating from the University of Hertfordshire in November 2006 Zoë has experience in dealing with acute musculoskeletal injuries, electrotherapy, hydrotherapy and dealing with trauma cases as well as having a battery of first aid certificates. Zoë also gained much experience at RAF Halton where she worked with elite athletes.
 General Manager Alan Turner said
 “ We came into the Hellenic League as an end result of a five year plan, we have now introduced a further five year plan which we hope will culminate in Premier Division football. We do recognise however that we have to put in place firm foundations before we can achieve this and this season is all about stabilising the club and commencement of building these foundations over the next couple of seasons before we can make a realistic effort on achieving promotion. We also recognise that our players are a valuable asset and that our club have a duty of care in ensuring they receive the best attention within our means. Zoë fits the bill perfectly and is highly regarded; we hope that she will feel an important member of our first team squad, which of course she is. The players are delighted with her and there is no doubt that she brightens up a dreary January afternoon! Zoë provides her skills at all first team matches and provides support at training sessions dealing with all sorts of injuries and offering expert advice.”
James Flint Returns to Marlow United - 12th October

The popular and prolific James Flint has returned to Sport Italian One East side Marlow United following a short spell at Marlow FC. The 'runaholic' Flint made an initial impact at Marlow and was a valued member of their squad but has recently found himself down the pecking order and made his decision after approaching United Manager Kevin Carvell. Carvell said: "I am delighted to welcome 'Jimbo' back to the club where he began his senior football career he will score goals and will in typical fashion cover the field for 90 minutes. James scored goals for Marlow but I feel he has made the right decision as the natural progression from step 7 to 6 will enable him to progress at an even rate especially now he has some step 4 league experience, there is no doubting his ability and his return sends a signal that we are becoming stronger by the week"

Flint will be included in the squad for this weeks match against Binfield FC. Another major signing is imminent over the next week or so.
Presentation Date Change - 4th October
The FA Vase ‘Team of the Round’ presentation to Marlow United, due this Saturday 7th October, has now been re-arranged for 14th October ahead of Marlow’s One East League match with Binfield. The pre-match presentation will be made at 2.45pm by Jim Pike Chairman of the Berks & Bucks FA.

Marlow United to Receive Award - 3Oth September

The FA will be presenting a commemorative plaque, 20 tickets for the FA Vase Final and crucially four crates of Carlsberg for United's achievement of being selected as 'team of the round' recently in the FA Carlsberg Vase. The presentation is due to take place at Wilks Park next Saturday 7 October. Steve Clark Head of FA Competitions said on the award being announced "Marlow United played exceptionally well in the opening qualifier and are on form for a good season. We will be watching to see if they can keep this high standard up and go all the way to the final"

Sadly, for Marlow they were knocked out by Premier Division Wantage Town in the next Round but can be proud of the recognition gained from this competition.
FA SELECT MARLOW UNITED AS TEAM OF THE ROUND! - 21st September

Out of all the FA Vase matches played in the country Marlow United FC has been selected by the FA as the 'Team of the Round', for their giant killing exploits over Bournemouth FC in the 1st Qualifying Round. This is a massive compliment to the Sport Italia Hellenic One East club and they will receive a plaque ahead of their next home game to commemorate this feat. Already recognised as the smallest club in the competition, the FA is preparing a profile on the club, which of course will be publicised nationwide.

Some will say it’s just the 2nd Qualifying Round of the FA Vase on Saturday 23rd September but to a club borne of 'parks' football that just a few months ago were competing in the Reading League at step 7 of the FA National League System this Saturday really does provide the biggest competitive test in the club’s history. Add to this the fact that the FA Vase was as far away as the Champions League less than a year ago then the match takes on mighty proportions.

Marlow United again go into the game against Premier Division Wantage Town as clear underdogs, once more, against their more illustrious opposition and should expect nothing more than a battling display, but as someone said ‘football is a funny old game’!
MATTIE GLYNN SIGNS FOR UNITED - 18th September

Mattie Glynn of Slough Town, Maidenhead United and Flackwell Heath fame has signed for United.

Manager Kevin Carvell says: "Mattie is a class player renowned for his ability. He will add a vital cog to our squad and at just 27 provides tangible evidence of our marked progress. For such a player as Mattie to sign for us sends a clear message that Marlow United FC is moving forward at a rapid rate.
Tristan Heyward returns from holiday soon and the squad will then be at full strength and although the results are not there yet, they will come soon of that I'm convinced"
LESSONS TO BE LEARNED PART II - 18th September

It was a disgruntled Marlow United that left the field following Saturday’s defeat at Badshot Lea. While accepting the opposition were of a good standard not for the first time this season Marlow were rueing missed opportunities, particularly in the first half. What is becoming apparent is that although in the opening games fitness levels appeared comparable it is becoming increasingly obvious that other teams are fitter and United are standing still in this department. Therefore good performances for an hour are being spoiled by two factors, United not taking the many chances they are creating and secondly the clear lack of fitness compared to most opposition teams in the final third or so of the match. Fortunately Wye Valley Astro turf has been secured for training purposes and along with our venue at Handy X Messrs Carvell & Flint can work on this crucial aspect of United's game that is increasingly becoming important.

THE BIGGEST CROWD IN THE FA VASE! - 18th September

161 supporters turned up for Marlow United’s FA VASE debut match with Bournemouth on Sunday 10th September and it proved to be the biggest FA Vase crowd in the nation exceeding Gosport Borough by 28 (133)! That's according to the stats produced by the FA.........Another first for the flying blues!!

THE ROAD TO WEMBLEY has STARTED for EXCITED MARLOW - 12th September
For Marlow United FC to be able to utter those magic words signifies the club's rapid progress over the last few years, for United to appear in the final at Wembley Stadium on 12th May 2007 would of course take a major miracle but one can dream. Marlow went into Sunday’s tie almost certainly  the smallest club in the competition and with a short competition life expectancy  to say the least but it was a major achievement for the club and it's players to be step out against Bournemouth and also to win the tie last Sunday afternoon. The Sunday afternoon kick-off stems from the ground share arrangement with Flackwell Heath Football Club who was playing at home the previous day. Even this however romanticises the competition for Marlow as many eyes were firmly fixed on this match with no other distractions apart from a mere match in the Premiership at 4pm. In fact the draw couldn't have been better for United as the name Bournemouth creates a distinct interest and while the visitor’s were offered a warm and friendly welcome to the ground Marlow endeavoured to make it hot on the pitch.
United stood tall in the blazing heat at Wilks Park and provided demonstrable evidence that the team has strengthened considerably over a short time. The fact that Bournemouth play at a higher level is neither here nor there, Marlow did not raise their performance yesterday, in fact it is probably fair to say the team can play much better and with better finishing could have ended this game by half time, but that would imply disrespect to the opposition which would neither be fair or correct. Bournemouth played like a team that does indeed play at a higher level its just that United matched them in every department. One only had to look at the team sheet to see how clever and astute Messrs’ Carvell & Flint have been over the summer months, half of Marlow's team had played at a higher level than their opponents and this blend of experience and home grown youth looks likely to pay dividends this season. As the adventure unfolds the excitement within the Marlow camp is almost tangible. One crucial factor not to be overlooked is that as United have necessarily added to their squad they have retained a local feel to the squad and anyone who witnessed the camaraderie before and after the game on Sunday will see the bond is firm and healthy. Wantage Town come to Wilks Park on Saturday 23 September for the 2nd Qualifying Round and by then Marlow will have a complete squad to choose from, interesting days lay ahead.
MARLOW SQUAD ASSEMBLES FOR THE NEW SEASON - 9th August
The long awaited debut match in the Sport Italia Hellenic League is almost upon us and Manager Kevin Carvell has assembled what he believes to be a powerful squad.

Out go James Flint and Callum Coull who have both joined Marlow FC Both James and Callum have served the club well in recent years and we wish them both success with their new club. Kevin has retained the rest of last years squad which comprises a useful blend of home grown talent and ex-Ryman League players, it was this mix that gained so much success in recent years and eventually brought us promotion to the Hellenic.

The club has charged Kevin with establishing the team in the HL as it’s important to adapt both on and off the field as we set off on what inevitably is a learning curve and so for the first time in FIVE seasons Kevin will feel the pressure of expectation ease. However that is from the club perspective Kevin and his Assistant Matt Flint would never tolerate second best and their venture into the availability market has reaped rich rewards. Neil Catlin, formerly with Stevenage Borough, Marlow and Flackwell Heath, returns to the club after a three year absence. Neil was the catalyst back in 2000 when United launched their so called 'young guns' at the Reading Football League and has returned to do a similar job in this our newest venture. Tristian Hayward signs, from ground share partner club Flackwell Heath, and offers much experience and guile. Lee Elliott also formerly Flackwell Heath has returned this season. James Ramsey another experienced Ryman Leaguer, Jon Mason formerly of Slough Town and Jon Paul Laciopano all bring something new to the table and with three further new signings imminent Marlow United can embark on their Hellenic journey with some confidence.