March Town United celebrated their 125th anniversary with a friendly against Cambridge United.
Story by: GAVIN CANEY and ROB SETCHELL, Reporters
Thursday, November 10, 2011
3:17 PM
NOSTALGIA filled the air as March Town United’s players marked the club’s 125th anniversary with a showcase friendly against Cambridge United.
WHILE March Town United celebrated 125 years of existence, club secretary Ray Bennett was toasting his 25th year of serving the Hares.
Bennett, who organised Monday night’s anniversary match, joined March in 1986 as manager of the ‘A’ team, before moving on to become a board member and secretary.
He said: “I can remember watching us win the league in 1987/88 and I’ve watched us get relegated. I’ve seen highs and lows in my time here and now we are going well again.
“It’s nice to come to football and think we’ve got a good chance of winning rather than thinking about how many we are going to concede.”
Legendary Hares players including Sid Garratt and Brian Baxter watched as March’s current crop provided a fitting tribute against a classy U’s select XI at the GER on Monday.
Adam Marriott’s penalties and goals from CRC players Bobby-Joe Taylor and Ryan Ingrey gave the Blue Square Premier outfit a comfortable 4-0 win, but March did themselves proud.
Phil White, in his fourth year as Hares chairman, said: “I’m really pleased Cambridge United came down here to play and brought a few first-teamers to help us celebrate our anniversary. It was a great gesture.
“They were fantastic on the night, and their players were quality, but our lads never gave up and did us proud.
“Performances and occasions like Monday and the Wisbech game in the FA Cup have hopefully woken the town up a little bit to our football club again.”
On-loan ‘keeper Lewis Moat made a string of fine saves but brave March - who play five levels below Cambridge in the non-league ladder - battled until the end.
White said: “The club have achieved a lot over the years but we need support from people in the town to help us get more success. It’s up to us to keep doing well on the pitch though.
“We’ve had our ups and downs but the club has been here for 125 years - and I hope it’s here for another 125.”
Brett Whaley’s Hares, who lost 2-1 to Brightlingsea Regent in the league at the weekend despite Chris Lenton’s goal, host Cornard United in the Ridgeons First Division on Saturday (3pm kick-off).
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