First of all, a very merry Christmas from all the team at Marine in the Community and we hope 2026 is a special year.
We are proud to welcome the Steve Ellis from the FA to Marine today, as they have selected Marine FC and Marine in the Community as a flagship club that embodies the true spirit of the FA Cup. Marine has been chosen to share our story and highlight not only the positive impact the FA Cup has had on the club, but also on the wider community of Crosby and Sefton. Our famous cup run, which came to an end on 10 January 2021, marked a turning point. Since then, the club has gone from strength to strength, investing both in the organisation and, importantly, in our supporters and local community. The FA has recognised this progress, and we are delighted they are here filming and interviewing those who have shared this journey as the club continues to grow on and off the pitch.
Our new Community Hub is now fully open, having been officially launched last month by the Lord-Lieutenant, Mark Blundell and Deputy Lord-Lieutenant, Julie Lawson. This was a proud moment for the club and community, representing several years of planning and fundraising finally coming to fruition. Special thanks must go to James Leary, the Club CEO, for his unwavering support, and to Paul Leary for his continued commitment and encouragement to the success of the charity.
The Hub has already welcomed several new initiatives, including a youth club, Marine’s first ever choir, and new spaces for education, training, and community events. We are also hosting health and wellbeing classes, a weekly community café, and our Friday Walking Football session (11am–12 noon).
In addition, the Hub is available for hire. Its excellent location and facilities make it ideal for health classes, parties, corporate events, and a wide range of community activities. For enquiries, please contact Graeme Gardiner at graeme@marineinthecommunity.com. The Hub has been fitted to a high standard, with full internet access, smart TVs, sound system, kitchen, accessible toilets, and optional catering services. Please do feel free to come in, say hello, and have a look around.
A huge thank you goes to the club for its ongoing support, and to all our sponsors, fundraisers, and donors who have helped make this project possible. In a short period of time, MITC has built a strong reputation across the region for impactful community work, and we are confident that this new facility will further strengthen our ability to serve the people of Crosby and Sefton.
MITC also hosted an Under-11s National League tournament last Friday. The winners—St Luke’s (girls) and Ursuline (boys)—will now go on to represent Marine FC in the regional finals. A big thank you to Seán Ó Dochartaigh for leading an excellent event, and to Marine Academy, whose boys played a key role in coaching and officiating, delivering a fantastic display and representation of the Academy.
For younger football enthusiasts, we run weekly coaching sessions every Wednesday for children aged 5–12. These sessions offer a brilliant opportunity to develop football skills, build fitness, make new friends, and take part in our weekly Champions League-style tournament. The sessions are inclusive, recreational, and open to children of all abilities and backgrounds.
Our Friday Welcome Café continues to thrive (12:30pm–2:30pm). It remains one of the region’s most popular social cafés, offering great food, entertainment, music, and singing for the over-60s.
We also offer Zumba (10:00–10:45) and Yoga (10:45–11:30) every Friday—£4 per session or £7 for both.
Our Heritage Walking Group continues on a fortnightly basis. The walks explore local heritage sites, provide a friendly and active outdoor experience, and always conclude with a well-earned coffee.
We are incredibly proud of the work we are doing to go beyond football and make a meaningful difference in our community. None of this would be possible without the dedication of our staff, coaches, and volunteers.
If you are interested in supporting MITC, sponsoring our activities, events or hiring our facilities, exploring a partnership, or joining our programmes, please do not hesitate to contact me or Seán. Likewise, if you know someone who may benefit from our activities, we would be delighted to welcome them. Our work genuinely changes lives for the better.
Thank you for your continued support as we work together to strengthen our community.
Best regards,
Graeme Gardiner
Community Director
📧 graeme@marineinthecommunity.com