Neil Young: The best moments of his seven season reign at Marine FC

After it was confirmed that Neil Young would be stepping down as manager of Marine FC, there were a lot of surprised faces amongst supporters of the club. 

Young has made the decision to go upstairs and take charge of a new role at the club- sporting director. This will allow the new manager to concentrate solely on his job with a support network around him. 

The 50 year old has created memories that will last a lifetime and has transformed the club entirely during his long lived spell as manager, but he believes now is the time to step down. 

Here are a couple of moments that stand out during the Young era. 

1. Hosting Spurs and the 2020/21 FA Cup run 

The start of this extraordinary journey. After going through several qualification stages, The Mariners reached the first round of the FA Cup for the 10th time in their history. An away tie against League Two side Colchester United stood in the way. After a 1-1 draw, the tie went to penalties where Marine came out victorious, winning 5-3. 

Havant and Waterlooville of the Vanarama National League South were next, a game which ended in extraordinary fashion with a last minute winner in extra time from Niall Cummins to send his team through to the third round of the FA Cup for the first time ever. 

After only a few days to reflect on the events, Marine were drawn at home to Premier League leaders at the time-Tottenham Hotspur. Despite the 0-5 scoreline, the occasion led to a complete transformation of the club and the events leading up to it will live on in memory for years to come.  

2. The 2022 playoff success 

After being relegated to the eighth tier of the football pyramid in 2018, Marine were able to claim promotion to the Northern Premier League once more- and they did it in dramatic fashion. 

A semi final against Workington is seen as one of, if not the greatest comeback ever in Marine’s history. 

2-1 down away from home in the 89th minute, and star man Neil Kengni saved the day with two quick fire goals in the 90th and 93rd minutes to send them through to the playoff final against Runcorn Linnets. 

Once again Young’s side came back from behind to claim promotion back to where his journey started after being written off by many. 

3. Back to back Liverpool Senior Cup victories 

More silverware came in quick succession for Young as he led his team to back to back wins in the Liverpool Senior Cup. 

The first against familiar final opponents, Runcorn Linnets in 2023, the second against City of Liverpool a year later. 

A respected trophy to win at non league level, and Marine did it twice in a row, providing fans with even more memories to cherish. 

4. Macclesfield away 

Nobody believed they could do it, but they did. Away from home against the favourites to win the league at the start of the season. Winning promotion to the National League North  against Macclesfield is up there with the best memories in recent years for Marine fans. 

1300 away fans there to witness it, the celebrations that followed, it was a day that no one associated with the club will forget. 

5. Survival against the odds 

The most recent of memories, staying in the sixth tier after playing in it for the first time ever. After being in the relegation zone for two thirds of the season, The Mariners fought until the end and turned their season around. 

A run of nine unbeaten games launched them up the table and 19 points clear of the relegation zone when it mattered most.