Peter Marsden

RIP Peter Marsden

The Craven area and beyond have lost an influential, well respected Ambassador of local football by the passing of Peter Marsden on Thursday the 25th of March.

Peter’s love of football commenced in his teenage years by helping on match days at Skipton Bulldogs. This was followed with 63 years dedicated service to Grassroots Football. In 1958 he qualified as a Referee and joined the Craven League Management Committee in 1959 as the Referees Representative. A year later he took the same position with the Craven Football Association. Peter's refereeing appointments took him into the now defunct Lancashire Combination and the Northern Intermediate League, retiring after 27 years in the middle.

In 1978 he became the Craven Representative on the West Riding County FA and his years of dedication to the County work was rewarded by him being elected first as Chairman of the WRCFA in 2003 and 2 years later saw him reach the pinnacle in Grassroots Football when he was elected President, a position he held until 2011.

In addition to his County work, Peter also held the position of Craven League Secretary for almost 29 years and was elected President of the Craven District Football Association in 2009.

He was awarded the Football Association 50 years Long Service Award in 2009 at the Craven Football Association Centenary Dinner.

Peter was totally dedicated to administering and organising grassroots football. His wealth of knowledge, experience and contribution to the “Beautiful Game” will never be forgotten.

Our thoughts are with his family and friends and everyone at Craven FA at this sad time.