Teams - Stockbridge Town

The once great Stockbridge Town had fallen on hard times. Stranded in the Fourth Division and fighting for their very survival. But, their fortunes would soon change with the introduction of a big haired young defender to the first eleven.

Terry Marks was a class above anybody who had won the Town shirt since the glory days of the early 50s when they were twice First Division champions and FA Cup winners. Tall and agile, his excellent reading of the game was well beyond his tender years. But, Terry alone could not prevent Town's involvement in a scrap at the bottom of Division 4. With one game to go Stockbridge needed to win to avoid having to reapply for their position in the Football League, and with huge debts hovering over them, a high chance of being kicked out of the league.

Terry Marks scores 80

A nervous Town took the field, star goalkeeper Paul Knight visibly sickly. But Terry was full of beans and inspired his side to a great win over Bradfield, scoring the final goal in a fine 3-0 win.

The 1980/81 season would be Stockbridge's best for many years. Player-manager Frank Peters knew his side wouldn't concede many with Knight in goal and Marks at centre-back or sweeper. And the club's financial troubles had been eased after two headline friendlies against a star studded Roy Race XI and First Division Portdean.

With a solid defence, scoring goals would be the main problem Peters needed to solve. Luckily Town managed to keep enough clean sheets to compensate for their lack of firepower. However, the goals did come, and promotion favourites Barnvale were thrashed 5-0, striker Dave Ashworth netting twice.

Town were on the fringes of the promotion race, but a fine run meant that victory over Southfield United saw Peters's boys go to the top of the table. They would fight off challenges to remain at the top, but Terry was attracting a lot of attention after a brilliant season. Turning down a host of transfer offers, Terry eventually chose to join his big brother Steve at nearby Kingsbay.

Ashworth's third secures the title

With his future secure Terry was determind to leave Stockbridge on a high. In his final match as a Town player Terry knew that a win over Westbury would secure the Fourth Division title. And win they did, three-nil, with a superb hat-trick from Ashworth.

Town's first season in the Third Division for years was a success, with their status secured early and a good run in the League Cup including. Paul Knight's heroic displays in goal were now the focus of attention from bigger clubs. After Ray Bailey's shock departure, Kingsbay were in need of an experienced number 1 and Knight fit the bill.

Stockbridge had sold their two best players in a six month period and never regained their position as giants of the English game.

Players:

Wilf Baler LB 3 55/56
Bert Jelfs CH 5 55/56
Dai Jones CF 9 55/56
Ron Williamson LB 3 55/56
Dave Ashworth CF 9 79/80
Keith Best D 79/80
Nick Bowen M 7 79/80
Steve Brown AM 8 79/80
Nigel Foster M 79/80
Paul Knight GK 1 79/80
Pete Lucas RB 2 79/80
Terry Marks CH 5 79/80
Frank Peters CM 4 79/80 - Player-manager
Len Phillips FW 10 79/80
Roger Simmonds LW 11 79/80