History

Overlooking a baron patch of field just yards from the birth place of Captain Cook, a consortium headed by Mr. Keith Sykes discussed the possibility of forming a junior football team. Having been rejected by the headmaster of the local comprehensive school to run a football team in “a rugby only” school, the group decided to form a side of their own.

Founded in 1982, that side played at the Marton Cricket Club Ground on Stokesley Road, with the volunteer support of magnificent coaches, six sides played in Marton shirts just 2 years later. After years of success, initiative and inspiration, Marton F.C has firmly embedded its roots in the local community and beyond. From day 1, the unrivalled support from Marton Cricket Club has enabled Keith Sykes, along with close top officials, to take the club on a journey like no other. National and International Tournaments Conquered, Domestic Leagues and Cups Dominated and an Image and Stature envied by all others.

Marton Football club employ 24 sides who wear the Marton badge across their hearts, ranging from years 6 up to and including 16′s, with girls teams playing also. Such is the size of the club, Marton ventured into acquiring a second ground to play the games, moving away from the village of Marton to a site 5 minutes away in Acklam.

The Acquisition of Cochrane’s Pitches on Hall Drive in Acklam a number of years ago opened another chapter in the rise to glory of this great club. Around 100 young enthusiastic children currently attend the Marton Soccer Academy on a Saturday morning for expert coaching from one of a number of experienced and FA qualified staff at the club. Marton Football Club are a highly reputable junior club in Britain, and currently stand proud as the largest junior football club in what is the largest junior Sunday league. That places this club on a pedestal higher than the rest. Both venues attract talent scouts from miles around in a quest to find a prospect able to follow former Marton players in professionalism, players such as Jonathan Woodgate, Michael Brown, Graham Murty and Stewart Downing, to name a few.

Marton Football Club are proud to have helped over 60 players realise their dreams in professional football. Marton Cricket Club today hosts the F.A regulated small sided football, which the coaching staff here at Marton are in complete agreement with. This enables the youngest players to have as many touches of the ball in a competitive environment as possible. Cochrane’s pitches, with its immaculate playing surface and modern changing facilities, hosts the 11-a-side game, from under 11’s to 16’s. Middlesbrough Borough Councils support has been nothing short of heroic, often un-praised, the councils support for thousands of Middlesbrough children and Marton F.C is outstanding.

Where does a club like Marton go from here? Bigger, Stronger, Hungrier and Commanding, the future holds exciting new ventures in its mist. An all purpose, state of the art, 21st century Sports Complex? An all weather playing surface? These were once dreams, with the drive, determination and ambition of the giants of junior football, those dreams may soon become reality.

Marton Football Club Secretary Mike Fairbairn was interviewed on the local BBC Radio show, click here to listen in.