| Marle
Place Wanderers were formed in the late 1960's
by station workers from Wivelsfield Station.
Funded by the money of the late J. Henry, the
club quickly progressed through the leagues, and
in the early 1980's reached the top flight of
Mid Sussex Football. This team was widely
considered to be the best of all time, and
featured playing legends such as John Smith, Tom
McCarthy, Dougie Nye, Barry Smith and Tony
Farhall. The later 2 both have stands named in
their honor at the clubs Triangle stadium. This
all-star line-up won trophy after trophy, and
the club remained in the top flight until the
end of the 1995-96 season. Under the late Barry
Smith (RIP) and Dougie Nye, the club played
entertaining football, but financial problems
meant it was a team made up of youngsters,
although within these ranks were players such as
Bert Lloyd, Peter Chapman, Karl Osbourne and
Robbie Costigan, all who would go onto become
legends. The club adapted well to the 'B' League
of Mid Sussex football, and established
themselves well.
Dark
times were on the horizon though, and despite a
talented playing squad now including Jamie
Farhall, Bert Lloyd, Mike Fletcher and Steve
Alexander, the club announced in September 2002
that they were in severe debt and groundless.
The club would fold at the end of September if
£3m was not found. Step in Dave Pouton
Fletcher. He saved the club, and bought in Lane
legend Karl Osbourne as manager, with former
Seagulls goalkeeper Scott McCarthy as his
assistant. Performances improved, but results
did not, as financial restraints saw
long-serving player Bert Lloyd released, much to
the disgust of the fans. Osbourne resigned over
the Lloyd incident, and McCarthy took over. Once
again, performances improved, but results did
not. The last ever match at the historic Janes
Lane Stadium was against arch rivals Southdown
Athletic, and McCarthy inspired his troops to an
unlikely 2-1 victory, goals from Farhall and
Harding
The
club was purchased by the supporters trust at
the end of the 2002-2003 season, and ground shared
with Haywards Heath for 2003-2004. In March,
former player Tom McCarthy came in with an offer
for the club, and made it his. He agreed a
rental deal with Burgess Hill Town Council for
the usage of the Triangle, and managed to
install 10,000 seats, later increasing to
18,000. The club came back to Burgess Hill, and
Farhall returned after a brief spell at
Cuckfield as manager. He re-built the side, and
the club went onto win 3 out of 5 games, leaving
the fans optimistic about what 2004-2005 would
hold.
In
late February 2005, the club secured its highest
ever sponsorship deal, with McCarthy Industries
agreeing to become main club sponsor. The club
was hence renamed McCarthy Industries, with a
new nickname of 'The Yellow Hamsters'. The
stadium was also re-christened the McCarthy
Industries Hamsters Cage in honor of this new
era at the club.
Following
the name change, the 2004-2005 season was one in
which records were set. The side went on their
best ever run, losing only once all season,
including a highly promising 4-2 win over the
illustrious Hove Old Boys. At the end of the
season, player-manager Scott McCarthy was voted
as player of the season, and hopes were high
that in 2005-2006, the club would finally
realise its full potential
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