History - History 1
The Original Club
Maldon St Mary's FC were formed by Reverend Thomas Wilfred Ward (MA) in 1894 with firm links with St Mary's School. Wilfred was vicar of St Mary's Church in Maldon and formed the team to get youngsters off the streets at a time when many ships were entering the Hythe regularly looking for cheap labourers.
After a number of years without comitting themselves to playing any serious football, the team eventually joined The Mid-Essex Football League in 1911 in its Second Division and attained a respectable third place in their first season. The Club had started playing its football at Brick House Meadow, but moved onto the Promenade Park while making its base at the Ship & Anchor Public House. The Club also latterly played at King George VI Playing Fields in Heybridge.
Division Two of the Mid-Essex League was won in 1913-14 having finished as runners-up to Billericay the previous season, earning St Mary's a first honour and with it promotion to Division One.
The First World War provided an interlude to Mid-Essex football and St Mary's didn't return to action for a further twelve months following resumption, reappearing in Division Two North in 1920-21. It wasn't long before honours arrived once more though, with the Division Two title clinched during 1925-26 under the guidance of WG Thorogood, before going on to lift the Division One West crown twelve months later. Season 1927-28 also saw St Mary's claim runners-up spot in Division One West before the club took a break from competitive football in 1930, not returning until 1951 with Brian Law at the helm. Season 1953-54 saw a reserve side introduced for the first time, competing in Division Two A.
After several years keeping the club afloat but with little success, Brian handed the reigns to Tom Goodrick in 1958, who ran the club single handily. His roles ranged from kit-washer to Manager to Chairman and it was through his perseverance the club was about to embark on its most successful era, starting with the Mid-Essex Division Two B League and Cup double in 1962-63. Before passing away in 1972 at the age of 82 Tom had handed the job to Brian Lloyd, who was to become an important member of the club for many years. Unfortunately, Brian had little success while in charge of the team, but through a chance meeting invited former Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Torino player Tony Marchi to to help manage the side 'every now and then'. Tony had just been sacked by Heybridge Swifts and upon hearing of his new managerial role was soon to be joined by over half of Swifts first team squad. Whilst in charge it is believed Tony did not miss a single game as manager even though he was just going to 'help out'!
Playing prodominantly during this time in white tops, black shorts and red socks, the side found their way back to Division Two of a much-expanded Mid-Essex League, before soon rising to the Premier Division following another Division Two crown in 1973-74 and a Division One runners-up spot the following season. Quickly adjusting to life in the Mid-Essex's top flight, back-to-back titles were secured in 1975-76 and 1976-77, while they just missed out on glory in the Essex Junior Cup, finishing runners-up in both seasons, firstly to Beechfield Sports and then Brentwood, with both ties played at Grays Athletic. Cup success did arrive in 1974-75 in the form of the Division One Cup, while other divisional cups had been clinched between the first and reserve sides from 1973 until the late eighties. Other honours at the time included the North Essex Cup, Suffolk & Border Cup, Chelmsford Charity Cup, Burnham Charity Cup and Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup which they won beating Heybridge Swifts 2-0 in the final. Their proudest day!
Due to a sheer number of players a reserve side was reintroduced for 1973-74 and they had just as much success. Going from Division Six, where they were runners-up in 1975-76 to Division One in successive years, however further progression wasn't possible with the first team enjoying a Premier Division spot.
Tony Marchi resigned as manager in the mid-80's as the teams success diminished and the influx of talented players dried up, however a Premier Division runners-up spot was claimed in 1987-88. For season 1989-90, however, and under a new unknown management duo the club left the Mid-Essex League and made the step up to the Intermediate League as founder members of Division Three. However, despite the reserve side clinching the Reserve Division Three title in 1991-92, the club had unfortunately fallen into the wrong hands and much to the disappointment of its former members, folded after the 1992-93 campaign.
Maldon St Mary's FC were formed by Reverend Thomas Wilfred Ward (MA) in 1894 with firm links with St Mary's School. Wilfred was vicar of St Mary's Church in Maldon and formed the team to get youngsters off the streets at a time when many ships were entering the Hythe regularly looking for cheap labourers.
After a number of years without comitting themselves to playing any serious football, the team eventually joined The Mid-Essex Football League in 1911 in its Second Division and attained a respectable third place in their first season. The Club had started playing its football at Brick House Meadow, but moved onto the Promenade Park while making its base at the Ship & Anchor Public House. The Club also latterly played at King George VI Playing Fields in Heybridge.
Division Two of the Mid-Essex League was won in 1913-14 having finished as runners-up to Billericay the previous season, earning St Mary's a first honour and with it promotion to Division One.
The First World War provided an interlude to Mid-Essex football and St Mary's didn't return to action for a further twelve months following resumption, reappearing in Division Two North in 1920-21. It wasn't long before honours arrived once more though, with the Division Two title clinched during 1925-26 under the guidance of WG Thorogood, before going on to lift the Division One West crown twelve months later. Season 1927-28 also saw St Mary's claim runners-up spot in Division One West before the club took a break from competitive football in 1930, not returning until 1951 with Brian Law at the helm. Season 1953-54 saw a reserve side introduced for the first time, competing in Division Two A.
After several years keeping the club afloat but with little success, Brian handed the reigns to Tom Goodrick in 1958, who ran the club single handily. His roles ranged from kit-washer to Manager to Chairman and it was through his perseverance the club was about to embark on its most successful era, starting with the Mid-Essex Division Two B League and Cup double in 1962-63. Before passing away in 1972 at the age of 82 Tom had handed the job to Brian Lloyd, who was to become an important member of the club for many years. Unfortunately, Brian had little success while in charge of the team, but through a chance meeting invited former Tottenham Hotspur, Juventus and Torino player Tony Marchi to to help manage the side 'every now and then'. Tony had just been sacked by Heybridge Swifts and upon hearing of his new managerial role was soon to be joined by over half of Swifts first team squad. Whilst in charge it is believed Tony did not miss a single game as manager even though he was just going to 'help out'!
Playing prodominantly during this time in white tops, black shorts and red socks, the side found their way back to Division Two of a much-expanded Mid-Essex League, before soon rising to the Premier Division following another Division Two crown in 1973-74 and a Division One runners-up spot the following season. Quickly adjusting to life in the Mid-Essex's top flight, back-to-back titles were secured in 1975-76 and 1976-77, while they just missed out on glory in the Essex Junior Cup, finishing runners-up in both seasons, firstly to Beechfield Sports and then Brentwood, with both ties played at Grays Athletic. Cup success did arrive in 1974-75 in the form of the Division One Cup, while other divisional cups had been clinched between the first and reserve sides from 1973 until the late eighties. Other honours at the time included the North Essex Cup, Suffolk & Border Cup, Chelmsford Charity Cup, Burnham Charity Cup and Tolleshunt D'Arcy Memorial Cup which they won beating Heybridge Swifts 2-0 in the final. Their proudest day!
Due to a sheer number of players a reserve side was reintroduced for 1973-74 and they had just as much success. Going from Division Six, where they were runners-up in 1975-76 to Division One in successive years, however further progression wasn't possible with the first team enjoying a Premier Division spot.
Tony Marchi resigned as manager in the mid-80's as the teams success diminished and the influx of talented players dried up, however a Premier Division runners-up spot was claimed in 1987-88. For season 1989-90, however, and under a new unknown management duo the club left the Mid-Essex League and made the step up to the Intermediate League as founder members of Division Three. However, despite the reserve side clinching the Reserve Division Three title in 1991-92, the club had unfortunately fallen into the wrong hands and much to the disappointment of its former members, folded after the 1992-93 campaign.
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