Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Marine announces that they have received official confirmation from the Football Association that they have been reprieved from relegation even though they finished in a relegation place in 21st position. Following the demise of Salisbury City Marine’s final run in of only one defeat in the last 12 games left Marine with the best average points per game of clubs finishing in the highest place relegation positions across the three divisions at step 3 nationally. At the Football Association meeting today Marine Football Club, as expected, was retained as a member of the NPL Premier Division. The Mariners are the longest serving club of this division having been members continuously since 1979 a total of 36 seasons.

Marine went to play-off contenders Blyth Spartans on the last day of the season and came away with a fantastic victory whilst Witton Albion lost 3-2 moving the Mariners up a league place and reprieve hopefuls Peacehaven & Telescombe FC based in Essex of the Ryman Premier League lost 4-2. Marine finished with an average points per game of 1.06 beating Peacehaven by just 0.02 of a point.

Marine Chairman Paul Leary said:
“The sequence of events on the last day of the season will be remembered by Marine fans for many years.
The epic performances of the players in those last 12 games led by new manager Sean Hessey have been rewarded by this expected reprieve received today from the Football Association.

The Club officials and football management can now start preparations for a much better future in the short term and we can certainly build on what was achieved by the players at the end of the season. I look forward to an exciting new era for our football club with hopefully the majority of the players staying with us. The news received today is fabulous for everyone at Marine Football Club including players, staff, sponsors and our fans, many of whom travelled for that magical day at Blyth Spartans.”

Paul Leary added:
“The Club is to stage an event on Friday 22 May in the clubrooms allowing the opportunity for the players, staff and fans to get together to celebrate the heroics of the last two months culminating in the news received today. During the evening the players will sign the shirt that they wore for the Blyth game and the shirts will be auctioned individually in aid of our recently launched ground development appeal.

Our fans have not had a chance really to meet up with the players since that last game and the event next Friday gives everyone a chance to celebrate together with a well-deserved beer or two. This is an open invitation for any of our fans to come along and meet the players and officials any time from about 8pm.”