About Us
The History of Marshall Park FC
The story of Marshall Park FC began 16 years ago at Marshall Park, just off Haw Lane in Yeadon.
What initially started as an informal Sunday afternoon “Dads and Lads” group soon developed into a regular weekly football session. As the group grew, more parents became involved and more children began coming along. Over the years, strong friendships were formed between the young players, their parents and the wider local community.
Unfortunately, the COVID-19 pandemic brought the weekly sessions to a halt for around two years. However, the friendships and shared passion for football remained.
2021–2022: The Formation of Marshall Park FC
By 2021, the lads who had grown up playing together were now older teenagers and young men. Many were leaving high school, attending college, starting work and moving into a new stage of their lives.
Despite these changes, they wanted to continue playing football together and expressed a desire to compete in an organised league. The only way to make this possible was to establish an official football club.
Following discussions between the players and parents, the name Marshall Park FC was chosen.
Two of the main parents involved were Chris Sullivan and Mark Woods, who had spent many years giving up their Sundays to support their sons and the wider group.
They began making enquiries and approached Denver Thompson, who was Reverend at a local church and had joined the Dads and Lads group in 2018. Denver immediately supported the idea and played an important role in helping Marshall Park FC become an established football club.
The club developed its own badge and constitution, opened a bank account, became affiliated with the West Riding County FA, and joined the then YCFL, competing against teams from across the Leeds and Bradford area.
Matthew Jackson became Marshall Park FC’s first manager.
In the summer of 2021, the club won its first-ever UNITY Trophy, defeating Yeadon FC and North United in a round-robin competition.
Success continued throughout the 2021/22 season when Marshall Park FC won the League Cup, defeating North United 3–2 in the final.
2022–2023
Matthew Jackson stepped down as manager following the club’s first season. He has since married and is enjoying a new chapter in his life.
At the start of the 2022/23 season, Kevin Thompson took charge of Marshall Park FC. Kevin was already well known to the club as the father of former player Luke Thompson and brought valuable coaching experience from his involvement with Guiseley FC.
In the summer of 2022, Marshall Park FC successfully retained the UNITY Trophy, this time defeating Armley FC.
2023–2024
During the summer of 2023, the YCFL disbanded and was replaced by the West Yorkshire Fair Play League. Marshall Park FC continued to compete within the new league structure.
By the summer of 2024, Chris Sullivan felt that he had taken the club as far as he could personally and decided to step back from his role. Everyone at Marshall Park FC remains extremely grateful to Chris for his vision, commitment, time, financial support and passion. He attended virtually every game and always wanted the football to be, in his words: “Entertaining.”
His contribution played a significant part in helping the club develop into what it is today.
2024–2025
The 2024/25 season brought another period of transition, with Jonny Jackson taking over from Kevin Thompson.
Jonny was another familiar face within the Marshall Park family, being the father of Danny, Bryan and Shaun. He brought enthusiasm and ambition, with the aim of helping the club progress up the league table and challenge for further honours.
At the club’s AGM at the end of the 2024/25 season, the players voted to leave the West Yorkshire Fair Play League and join the Leeds Community Football League. This marked another exciting new chapter for Marshall Park FC, providing the opportunity to compete against different clubs, teams and players.
2025–2026
The 2025/26 season brought further changes. After spending four seasons competing within largely the same league structure, the club felt it was time for a new challenge and became affiliated with the Leeds Community Football League, with matches continuing to be played on Saturday mornings.
Stephen Quinn, who had played for Marshall Park FC for the previous four seasons and had become a loyal supporter of the club and everything it represented, took on the role of coach and manager. Stephen brought a wealth of football knowledge to Marshall Park FC, both from a coaching perspective and through his experience as a qualified referee.
The season proved to be one of the most successful in the club’s history. Marshall Park FC reached two cup finals, progressed to the quarter-finals of the Wharfedale Cup, and finished second in the league, as runners-up to Armley FC.
The club also won the League Cup, defeating Armley FC.
Marshall Park then faced Armley once again in the UNITY Cup Final, with Armley taking the trophy on that occasion.
Overall, it was an extremely strong and successful season and demonstrated how far the club had progressed both on and off the pitch.
2026–2027
The UNITY Cup returned after a two-year absence, with Marshall Park FC facing Raistrick FC, a relatively new team. Marshall Park produced an excellent performance, winning 9–2 and lifting the UNITY Cup once again.
The 2026/27 season also marks six years since Marshall Park FC was officially formed.
Following another vote by the players, the club decided to return to the Yorkshire & District Saturday Morning League.
The league has undergone a significant overhaul, with new teams joining, a new group of referees and what promises to be a higher standard of football.
Marshall Park FC is now looking forward to this latest chapter, facing new opposition, continuing to develop and writing the next part of the club’s history.
We as a club are now FA Accredited. Marshall Park FC has met the standards required under the England Football Accredited framework. It is the FA and County FA’s way of recognising clubs that are being run properly and are committed to providing a safe, positive and sustainable football environment. The FA describes accreditation as recognition for clubs that “raise the bar” for grassroots football.
The club has demonstrated important standards around things such as club governance, an appropriate bank account and club meetings, policies and codes of conduct, safeguarding, equality, qualified or appropriately trained officials, first aid requirements and the overall organisation of the club.
More Than Football
Marshall Park FC has always been about much more than results, league positions and trophies.
Football is a fantastic way to build friendships, confidence, teamwork, discipline and a sense of belonging. It provides young people with opportunities to develop important skills that extend far beyond the football pitch.
Over recent years, the club has also helped create a genuine sense of togetherness between players, parents, supporters and members of the local community.
What began more than 16 years ago as a small group of dads and lads meeting for football on a Sunday afternoon has grown into an established football club built on friendship, commitment and community spirit.
As Marshall Park FC continues to develop, its aim remains the same: to provide an enjoyable, welcoming and supportive environment where people can play football, build lasting friendships and feel part of their local community.
From Dads and Lads at Marshall Park to Marshall Park FC — the story continues…