Club Overview
Marlow FC are one of England’s oldest football clubs, founded as Great Marlow on 22 November 1870. The Blues entered the inaugural FA Cup competition in 1871/72 and have maintained an extraordinary connection with the competition ever since. Their home is the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.
Quick Facts
Founded: 22 November 1870
Original name: Great Marlow
Nickname: The Blues
Ground: Alfred Davis Memorial Ground, Oak Tree Road, Marlow, SL7 3ED
League: Southern League Division One Central
Official website: Marlow FC
Formation and the Early FA Cup
Great Marlow Football Club was formed at the Compleat Angler Hotel beside the River Thames on 22 November 1870. The club was one of the original entrants in the first FA Cup in 1871/72 and contributed towards the £25 purchase of the first trophy. Marlow’s connection with the competition is exceptional: the club states that it has applied to enter every FA Cup competition since the tournament began, although it was unable to compete in 1910/11.
During the early years Marlow were a significant force in amateur football. They reached the FA Cup semi-finals in 1882, losing 5–0 to eventual winners Old Etonians at the Oval. The club also reached Amateur Cup semi-finals and collected numerous Berks & Bucks Senior Cup honours. In 1894, Marlow declined an invitation to join the newly formed Southern League in order to preserve its amateur status; Tottenham Hotspur took the place instead.
Ground Changes and Rebuilding
Marlow played at Crown Meadow until 1919, before moving to Star Meadow. Financial difficulties led to a period in more local competition, and the death in 1924 of long-serving honorary secretary Alfred Davis prompted a campaign to establish a permanent home in his memory. The Alfred Davis Memorial Ground opened in 1928. Its distinctive grandstand dates from the 1930s and remains one of the ground’s best-known features.
The club played in the Spartan League until 1965, then moved into the Athenian League. Promotion to Division One followed in 1970/71, and Marlow joined the Isthmian League in 1984. After a difficult first season, the appointment of Mike Keen sparked a rapid rise: promotion from Division Two came in 1985/86, followed by the Division One championship in 1986/87 and promotion to the Premier Division.
Modern Cup Runs and League History
Marlow’s later decades included memorable FA Cup adventures against higher-profile opponents, including televised ties and meetings with Tottenham Hotspur, Plymouth Argyle, West Bromwich Albion and Swindon Town. The club’s long history is not limited to cup nostalgia; it has continued to compete across the regional pyramid, with the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground remaining its home and a symbol of the club’s heritage.
Honours and Milestones
- Founded in 1870 and an entrant in the first FA Cup in 1871/72.
- FA Cup semi-finalists in 1882.
- Promoted to the Isthmian Premier Division after winning Division One in 1986/87.
- Alfred Davis Memorial Ground opened in 1928, with the grandstand dating from the 1930s.
- Numerous Berks & Bucks Senior Cup honours and two Amateur Cup semi-final appearances.
Alfred Davis Memorial Ground
The ground is at Oak Tree Road, Marlow, Buckinghamshire, SL7 3ED. Marlow railway station is around three-quarters of a mile away, according to the club’s directions. The historic stand is a key part of the venue’s character. Check the club’s official site for current admission, parking, accessibility, food and drink and fixture information before travelling.
Club Figures and Legacy
Cuthbert Ottaway, who played for Marlow in the early 1870s, became the first captain of England in the first officially recognised international against Scotland in 1872. Long-serving club secretary Alfred Davis is another important figure in the club’s story, remembered through the ground that bears his name. These connections place Marlow within the earliest chapters of organised football.
Club History and Key Milestones
Marlow FC are one of Buckinghamshire’s established football clubs, with a history stretching back to 1870. The club plays at the Alfred Davis Memorial Ground and has competed in regional and national non-league competitions for generations.
Matchday Notes
Check the latest club announcement for the confirmed venue, kick-off time, admission prices and payment methods. Supporters should check transport and parking options in advance and allow time for the return journey after evening fixtures. Older online information can lag behind changes to grounds or league arrangements.
NonLeagueReview Groundhopper Notes
Marlow is a must-know club for anyone interested in football history: a foundation in 1870, participation in the first FA Cup, an 1882 semi-final and a ground whose grandstand recalls the club’s revival in the 1920s and 1930s. Check official channels before visiting for the latest matchday details.
Sources and Further Reading
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