Opponents No.14 - Kingsbay Part 4

Kingsbay had thrown the Championship away, manager Wally Turnball searched for answers. But at the start of the 1982/83 season he had more pressing concerns; Steve Marks was still in Australia recovering from a serious head injury sustained on a pre-season tour with a Football League XI.

Leigh Parsons, still young and somewhat raw, was given another chance claim a place in the side. But he certainly didn't impress and as the fans grew impatient, the boss knew it was time for something different. Knowing Steve would be back soon, Turnball chose Jim Duke, a tall and tough striker from Second Division Westbury Town as a short-term fix. However Duke and regular targetman Joe McCaffrey could not and then simply would not play together.

This was not Turnball's only problem; Steve Dawson's lack of pace and mobility at left-back was readily exploited by the North Vale wide men. He was a weak link, his shortcomings obvious now to his manager, but no suitable replacement could be found. On an hunch the master tactician Turnball switched Duke to left-back, the fiery striker was not amused. Turnball late admitted that he only chose Duke to move back to break up "a lousy partnership", it was not some great stroke of tactical genius. But with Steve back and Duke surprising even himself with his displays at full-back, Kingsbay's form surely should improve.

However another disastrous result in the UEFA Cup was looming. Larissia, a team of part-timers from Cyprus, claiming a shock win. Terry Marks was dropped, Knight injured, goals wouldn't come. It was a mini-crisis only averted by good performances in the FA Cup.

Two Steve Marks goals gained some revenge over Portdean in the Semi-Final. But the camp was not a happy one. Terry had been loaned to Castleburn City, who promptly thrashed Kingsbay 5-0. Turnball believed Geoff Sullivan to be a better option at centre-half, certain members of the squad found this difficult to believe. Terry was missed, but Turnball was not for swaying, only a freak injury to Sullivan, forced the boss to recall the younger Marks brother.

Western Villa were the opponents at a sunny Wembley in May and Wally Turnball, other than Sullivan, had a fully fit squad to choose from. A dramatic match went the full distance, turning one way then the other. In extra-time Steve Marks grabbed his second goal, the winner, Kingsbay had won the F.A. Cup 4-3!

This was the end of the Marks Brothers era at the great giants of English football, Kingsbay. Wally Turnball was gone too, along with other stalwarts, McCaffrey, Ian Turner, Alan Jennings. New manager Terry Lake, brought fresh ideas and new faces. Stan Draper, an aggressive striker replaced McCaffrey, his all action style earning him an England call-up in 1984/85. Martin McKeown forced his way into the first-team in midfield. But Lake's new players would never match up to the dynasty that was born of Wally Turnball. Kingsbay would fade from glory into also-rans, First Division was no longer a given, the 'Bay were now among the scrappers, fighting for survival rather than trophies.

1982/83 Squad:
G - Knight, Donnelly, Jenson
D - Ellis, Duke, Terry Marks, Gilbert, Norton, Sullivan, Fisher
M - Bryant, MacDonald, Turner, Stein, McKeown
F - Steve Marks, Jordan, McCaffrey, Harris, Clarke, Dolan