MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOWMarlow FC, FOOTBALL circa 1936 CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW FOOTBALL CLUB 1870 MARLOW F A VERY WARM WELCOME TO YOU ALL And particularly to the officials, players and supporters of Barking who are here this afternoon for this first match of the 2019-2020 season in a league now with a new sponsor and therefore a new name – the BetVictor Isthmian League. Additionally we add a special welcome to our visitors as Barking have been moved laterally during the close season, from the North Division where last season they finished in 9th position with 50 points from their 38 games, into the South Central Division and so will be visiting many new teams over the course of the following months. Last season was again one of our most successful in recent times and ended with that 1-2 defeat away Cheshunt who went on to win the play-off final at Bracknell Town and so ended in disappointing fashion (and the injury to Isaac Osei-Tutu which he is still suffering with). In the break Barts has been busy as usual and although we have lost a couple of players he has managed to recruit what look to be very capable replacements and we welcome all those new faces to Oak Tree Road and look forward to them enjoying a successful time with us. Many thanks for coming this afternoon, and hopefully throughout the season ahead which we now look forward to. On Tuesday evening we have our first away game at Staines Town and next Saturday the FA Emirates cup tie here against Cinderford Town. Please try to get along. Now for my usual closing plea to get behind the lads and support at all times – it really does make a difference and will do particularly over the coming months Terry Staines, Chairman We hope that you enjoy our digital programme. For the best experience please view the programme in your preferred eBook / eReader app. We recommend Books for Apple users and Google Play Books for Android users. THE NON-LEAGUE PAPER COLUMN While the excitement for the brand-new season was building up to unprecedented levels this summer, I was alerted to a truly remarkable story, which serves as a constant reminder of the preciousness of life. The journey that Travis Munn has been on over the last few months is one that has pushed him to the very limits of human courage, bravery and strength. Diagnosed with the degenerative disease Scleroderma in 2016, the former Mansfield Town and Boston United defender was later presented with the crushing news that his condition had become terminal. “It just hits you like a ton of bricks, it is absolutely impossible to process” said Munn. “I sat there and asked how long I had left. The doctor said ‘it is impossible to say whether it will be as little as three months or as long as three years’. “How do you break that to your family? How do you tell your parents or your partner that you won’t be here for much longer? Coming through the ranks at Mansfield, Munn soon earned a reputation as an all energy defender, capable of competing with the very best. However, it was after dipping his toes into Non-League football with Boston United that he started to pick up on a number of concerning signs. “I had always been blessed with a good level of fitness, which had been my biggest attribute as a player” added Munn. “All of a sudden I was the least fit player at the club. I couldn’t understand it. I was doing extra sessions but I would wake up the next morning in absolute bits. I would be tearing up and thinking that I couldn’t carry on with it. “I spoke with my dad and he was asking me ‘why is it that you can’t do your running anymore?’ He was asking if I was having troubles in my personal life or whether I was getting into alcohol. “Even my manager started to wonder if I was taking drugs. It was becoming unbearable and it was at that point that I needed to find out why I was feeling like this”. As the devastating disease took its hold, Munn was forced to put aside any thoughts of football and come to terms with the unthinkable prospect of leaving behind his young family. THE NON-LEAGUE PAPER COLUMN However, one evening as he sat at home, a speculative search of the internet presented the former Boston defender with a potential miracle. He said, “I was just on the computer when a story came up about someone who had, had a stem cell transplant. “What they do is they blast you with the most amount chemotherapy that you can possibly have until you are basically at death’s door. “They then put the stem cells back and hopefully it works. It is hugely risky and there is a very real chance that you might die during the treatment. “I kind of said goodbye to people because I thought to myself if it somehow works then great but I would rather die trying to do something about this than just lying there and letting it kill me, which it was. “That was about seven months ago and to have come out of the other side is incredible. Just thinking about it brings a tear to my eye”. Having left hospital just before the turn of the year, Munn has undergone a truly remarkable return to strength and after battling against all the odds, he made an extraordinary return to football this pre-season with East Midland Counties League side Borrowash Victoria. “I simply can’t describe what I was feeling when I stepped back onto the pitch” said the inspirational defender. “I managed to play for 80 minutes in the first game, my whole family was there and when I came off my mum was crying, that nearly got me going but I just about managed to hold it together. “To have been in a position where just a short time ago my next step was death, I have learned to cherish every single moment that I get. So, as we all attend another round of tantalising fixtures this week, win, lose or draw, let’s just be thankful for all that life has to offer. By Hugo Varley MARLOW FC - SQUAD PEN PICS 2018/2019 MARK BARTLEY – MANAGER Manager who as a player was at Hayes, Slough Town, Burnham and Thame United before taking over at Reading Town in the latter part of season 2011/2012 and guiding them to safety. Then went on to win the Hellenic Premier Division with Marlow in his first season here. Now into his eighth season. PHIL BROWN – ASSISTANT MANAGER Goalkeeping coach (who makes an occasional appearance) who is in his fourth season here. Previously a professional with Reading FC ASHLEIGH ARTWELL A recent signing from Bracknell Town. Midfielder who has also played for Wealdstone, Basingstoke Town and Hayes & Yeading. JUNAID BELL Debut 08/11/16 Youngster who was at the John Madejski Academy and who has impressed at full-back or in midfield since signing. ALLEN BOSSMAN Debut 12/12/15 Pacey wide player who chips in with the odd goal. Now into his fourth year with Marlow. KELVIN BOSSMAN Debut 25/03/17 Deadline day signing from Dunstable Town two seasons ago who was previously with Chesham United and Dunstable Town. JORDAN BROWN Debut 08/08/15 Forward/midfielder who tends to play in the wider positions and who signed after a successful spell with Highmoor-Ibis of the Hellenic League. Member of the FA Vase winning side at Thatcham Town who finished last season at Bracknell Town. MARLOW FC - SQUAD PEN PICS 2018/2019 TRISTAN CAMPBELL Debut 11/08/17 Left-sided midfielder who has arrived via Beaconsfield, Highmoor- Ibis and Binfield to sign on last season CURTIS CHAPPLE Debut 29/08/16 A quick and hard-tackling defender/wide player who was previously with Uxbridge before signing three seasons back. CALAM GALLIMORE Debut 05/12/13 Signed from Highmoor-Ibis of the Hellenic League. A central defender by trade who also fills-in at full back and who established himself as a regular. Has a useful long throw. SIMON GRANT Debut 17/08/13 Goalkeeper who transferred into the club from Ashford Town (Mx) prior to the start of the season 2013-14. Has also played for AFC Hayes, Slough Town and Hayes & Yeading. Voted “player of the year” for the last two seasons. ELLIOT LEGG A Recent signing. All-action defender who was a member of the successful Bracknell Town side of the last couple of seasons. KWAI MARSH-BROWN Another of the footballing brothers. Came through the youth set- up at Arsenal before appearing for Sutton United, and has appeared for Guyana at under-20 level. ISAAC OLORUNFEMI Debut 22/12/18 Young defender who broke into the first-team squad midway through last season.