Jonathan Bennett visits Marine, where gates have tripled as Premier League ticket prices rocket
Stratospheric ticket prices, clubs run by oppressive nation-states – many are turning away from the Premier League. But to where?
In this new Libero series, Escaping the Elite, we look at some of the clubs that offer an alternative to the cash-drenched anti-competitiveness at the top of the pyramid.
We begin with Marine, a Merseyside institution in the shadow of two Premier League giants, who welcome fans for passionate football, a lively atmosphere and the chance to enjoy an affordable pint on the terraces.
Like many non-league clubs, Marine have a long and proud history. Formed in 1894 in Crosby, a small coastal town just north of Liverpool, the Mariners have spent their entire existence outside of the professional game, piling up a stack of trophies in local football.
Today, they compete in the sixth-tier National League North, and play at Rossett Park, a charming little ground with a capacity of 3,185.
Marine’s 90 minutes of fame came at the height of the pandemic lockdown. In January 2021, they reached the Third Round of the FA Cup for the second time in their history.
Although the Mariners were defeated 5-0 by Tottenham Hotspur, the game produced memorable images of superstar manager José Mourinho watching the match in front of a row of fold-out chairs and of Marine fans looking on from their gardens of a adjacent terraced houses.
Nevertheless, the match against Tottenham had a transformative effect. Many Spurs fans bought virtual tickets and the TV rights brought in hundreds of thousands of pounds in revenue. Marine used the money to enhance their squad and improve facilities at their ground.
As Dave McMillan, vice-chairman and head of media at the club, tells Libero: “There’s a great chant about the Spurs game which starts ‘From one game with Spurs, we became millionaires, and built a bar and bistro-o-o!’”
“Today, the 1894 Bar & Bistro is open to all pre-game. There’s live matches on the big screens and an outside patio that seats 120 people, with happy hour in the run-up to kick-off.”
As Dave tell us, there are plenty of advantages to following a non-league club. “It’s a very intimate experience, as fans are so close to the action due to the tightness of the ground. You can enjoy a drink while watching the game – the two-pint pitchers are very popular. And the atmosphere is quite lively, especially with games against teams with larger away followings.”
According to Dave, the atmosphere at Marine has lured plenty of fans away from the local giants, Everton and Liverpool, as they search for a more affordable or authentic experience. “Most of our fans follow one or the other,” says Dave.
“Some actually have season tickets for both Marine and Everton or Liverpool. But we’ve also seen many fans come to Marine as an alternative thanks to the match-day experience, or because of the expense and difficulty of obtaining Premier League tickets.”
“First time visitors are usually surprised how good the standard is in non-league,” admits Dave. “We also get lots of families and teenagers who can enjoy great facilities and a decent game as an alternative to other days out. Another advantage is that the players are much more accessible – every game you’ll see them having selfies with fans or signing programmes.”
Dave has seen first-hand how higher ticket prices at the top are helping to grow numbers in the lower divisions. Indeed, Marine are currently considering the development of a brand-new 5,000 capacity stadium.
“The trend in terms of attendances still seems to be upward,” Dave tells us. “At Marine we are now averaging 1,328 compared to around 350-400 pre-Covid. We’re not alone in that – a number of other local clubs are also enjoying similar percentage rises.”
Dave does strike a word of warning, however, voicing concern at the proposal to remove the ban on televised games in England from 2.45pm to 5.15pm. “The potential removal of the 3pm embargo is the biggest threat on the horizon,” Dave tells Libero. “If that happens a lot of non-league clubs will see gates drop significantly.”
For the time being, the club can expect healthy gates – this is Marine’s first season first in the National League North after promotion from the Northern Premier League Premier Division. This Saturday, March 22, the Mariners welcome Peterborough Sports to Rossett Park, aka the Marine Travel Arena.
“Until recently we were in the bottom four but a good run has moved us up to 17th. We’ve signed a couple of forwards who are capable of a bit of magic in Jack Hazlehurst and Andy Scarisbrick, with Fin Sinclair-Smith also getting back to his form last season when he got 26 goals.”
“I should mention Chris Doyle – he’s a centre-half who’s bagged five goals in our recent good run, including a couple of winners. Claiming 16th place would be a good finish as part-timers in our first season at this level.”
Marine v Peterborough Sports, Saturday, March 22, 3pm. Marine Travel Arena, College Road, Liverpool L23 3AS. General admission £15, seniors, students and 16-17s £10, 11-15s £6, under-11s free. Tickets here.
Train from Liverpool Central to Blundellsands & Crosby (£5, every 20mins, journey time 20mins), then walk up Blundellsands Road East, right down Kenilworth Road, left at the end onto Mersey Road, right at the roundabout onto College Road. Allow 15mins.
