Steve Marks, a tall, strong and mobile striker was an instant hit. At the end of the 1979/80 season, Steve's goals meant Kingsbay qualified for the UEFA Cup. Wally Turnball recognised the need to strengthen his squad if 'Bay were to challenge at home as well as in Europe. He signed forward Mickey Jordan for £700,000 from Fourth Division Mudport United, a massive gamble on a teenager who raised himself in the African jungle. But the youngster settled into top-flight football with ease, quickly becoming a key player and regular goalscorer.
Jordan's arrival unsettled an injured Steve Marks. Convinced that the big money signing would replace him in the side, Marks confronted Turnball. Steve was assured of his place as first-choice and that he would not be sold under any circumstance. However the crafty Matt Johnson, boss of Holverton had other ideas. While scouting at Stockbridge Town, Johnson bumped into Steve who was watching his brother Terry in action for Town. The eccentric Holverton manager tricked Steve into believing that Kingsbay had accepted a bid from big spending Stambridge City, the striker was furious again clashing with Turnball. For a while it looked like Johnson would get his man, but thanks to Terry's suspicion and the help of a local journalist friend, the plot was exposed and Steve return to the first team.'Bay's league form did suffer from the strain of competing for two titles, but their poor position did allow full focus on the UEFA Cup matches. Dusselburg and Havanger were swept aside, before an epic quarter-final victory over holders Racing Blue from Belgium.
Captain Nigel Payne had had a difficult season, injuries and loss of form. Young Ray Noble was given a chance to press his claim, but a series of inadequate displays, particularly against the tricky England international Kenny Johnson of Redstoke, forced Turnball to look elsewhere. After trying Steve Marks in the number 5 jersey, the boss eventually returned to the transfer market after Payne suffered yet another injury, his target none other than Steve Marks' younger brother Terry of Fourth Division high-fliers Stockbridge Town. Racing Blue were also interested, but Terry would not turn down the chance of teaming up with his brother and signed on in time for the Second Leg of the UEFA Cup Semi-Final in Germany versus Marnheim.The First Leg ended goalless, but Kingsbay had lost Payne again to injury (this one would end his career) and targetman Joe McCaffrey was sent-off after a moment of madness. McCaffrey and Steve Marks had developed a wonderful partnership up front. The big Scotland international was rarely beaten in the air, Steve would thrive on his knockdowns scoring many a snapshot in a crowded and confused penalty box.
But the two strikers would not have had all the glory without the unsung efforts of creators Alan Jennings (on the left wing) and midfielder/winger Ian Turner. The side was incredibly well balanced, with Mickey Jordan the fulcrum, drifting between attack and midfield. In fact it is probably harsh to insist on Steve Marks being the star of the side.
In the Rhineland for the Second Leg against Marnheim in front of 80,000 spectators, reserve striker Johnny Harris with given the chance of replacing McCaffrey. Harris would have a storming end to season. While not a tall or strong as "Big Joe", Harris was fast, had a good leap and powerful shot. It was his goal that took 'Bay to the Final and shock the German supporters.
The UEFA Cup Final against recently crowned Dutch Champions Spartadam was another classic, 2-0 down from the first leg and still without suspended striker Joe McCaffrey; the odds were well against a Kingsbay victory over the team of eleven internationals. But Mickey Jordan fired in a spectacular volley and Steve Marks buried a loose ball to level the tie. Going into the final minutes, with extra-time looming, Harris again lost his marker, he shot, off the bar and away, no! The referee consults his linesman, Harris begs for the goal - it's given Kingsbay have won the 1981 UEFA Cup!
Line-up (as above) - Back row: Dave Ellis, Ray Bailey, Terry Marks, Ian Turner, Joe McCaffrey, Johnny Harris (sub). Front row: Paul Bryant, Peter MacDonald, Mickey Jordan, Steve Marks (captain), Steve Dawson, Alan Jennings.
Squad:
G - Bailey, Donnelly
D - Ellis, Dawson, Payne, Noble, Terry Marks
M- Turner, Bryant, MacDonald
F - Steve Marks, Jordan, McCaffrey, Harris, Clarke, Parsons, Jennings
Notes:
- In pre-season St Estelle of France were described as UEFA Cup winners perhaps they won it the year before
- I'm missing a few issues so don't have scores for some of the matches shown in the spreadsheet - help if you can!
- The formation is very fluid - almost a 3-2-5 (Ellis RB, Marks/Payne CH, Dawson LB; Bryant LH, MacDonald RH; Turner RW, Marks CF, McCaffrey CF, Jordan FW, Jennings LW)
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