CLUB RESTRUCTURE – NEIL YOUNG

Vanarama National League North Marine AFC announce that Neil Young is to relinquish his role as Men’s First Team Manager to become the club’s inaugural Director of Football following the end of the current season.

In this pivotal role, Neil will lead all football operations, shaping the club’s sporting strategy to drive success for the men’s first team.

The restructure is a key element in Marine’s ongoing strategy of continuous improvement to plan for the short, medium and longer term goals of sustaining football at the highest possible National League System level, with the new stadium on the horizon.

Neil Young said:

“I hoped this day wouldn’t come. After all that we have been through together over the last 6 ½ years and the great days we have been able to share.

It’s obviously very difficult to step away from my role as Manager but I know personally now is the right time for me, but more importantly for the football club.

The last two years have been very demanding from a manager’s perspective with promotion last season and the importance of keeping Marine at National League North level this year.

I am so happy we had the opportunities to experience and create so many memories that will last a lifetime.

Would it be Workington away in the playoff semi-final, the atmosphere from our supporters and the tribute to David Wotherspoon in our win at Halifax in the FA Cup, Colchester away, Spurs at home, back to back Liverpool senior cup finals, this year keeping our NLN status or probably the biggest and best memory of them all for me would be the play off win at Macclesfield last year, and more so the celebrations that followed.

It was very important for me after everything that has been achieved and all the relationships and friendships that we have built over the many years that I left through the front door with an opportunity in our last three games to say thank you to everyone.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank every player who has played for me since I have been here and every member of staff that has worked with me, without you none of the success would have been possible. Gary Jones will also be stepping down as Assistant Manager and I would like to thank him for all his work and support over many years – football management is always easier when you are doing it with your best mate. I’m the manager but the support around me over the 6 ½ years from everyone has been first class.

Thank you to Marine for trusting and supporting me with your football club and allowing me the freedom to build and manage it in the way we have over the years; my family for the freedom and support to allow me to put so much time into the role to help us achieve our goals.

Last but certainly not least our supporters, what can I say, you have taken our support from an average of around 350 to 1450 at home games, our away support has been phenomenal and the support you have given to the team, you will never know how much it’s appreciated.

On a personal note, football is easy they say when you’re winning but it’s how you react in adversity particularly as a supporter for me that really matters. When our results have not always been what we wanted you have always had my back, and for that I will be forever grateful, as that is a rarity in football these days.

Finally, change can make people feel either apprehensive or excited, but I believe the next chapter for Marine is exciting and an absolute necessity if the club are going to move forward with the new ground plans but more importantly pushing the team forward, that won’t just happen.

We have a fabulous group of players who have shown on many occasions this season that they will run through brick walls for the club and each other and have a real appetite to be successful.

I’m really looking forward to my new role as Director of Football, it’s an important development for the club and key to modernising our structure in the current game.

The next phase of the club’s development will show ambition and will allow the new manager to concentrate solely on his role with a support network around him to help him push the club forward and ultimately bring success to the football club, whilst we work behind the scenes to improve all areas of the club, which I’m confident we will achieve.

Thanks for everything,

Neil”

Marine CEO James Leary said:

“Neil has done an incredible job over the last 6+ years. During that period we have won 2 Liverpool Senior Cups, reached the FA Cup 3^rd round, the FA Cup 1^st round and been promoted twice. He has created memories for every Mariner that will stay with us forever and has completely transformed Marine Football Club as we knew it.

It is an incredibly sad day that this era has now come to an end. The 6+ years have been incredibly intense, and I know that Neil has devoted everything he has got to making Marine successful.

With us having come so far as a football club on the pitch, we are now competing in a much higher level where demands are far greater, and the competition is tougher.

Following conversations with Neil we recognised that this could be an opportunity to accelerate a restructure of the football side of the club to allow us to professionalise and compete more effectively going forward.

I am delighted therefore that as part of the changes, Neil is to take on the newly formed role of Director of Football. This will give us consistency and stability following the years of success we have enjoyed whilst putting into place the restructure we feel is needed.

Thanks for all you have given us Neil. It has been a pleasure working with you as manager and we will never forget everything you have achieved for us.”