Marsden: Jack

1948-1959 (Player Details)

Centre Half

Born: Leeds: 17-12-1931

Debut: v Lincoln City (h): 14-03-1953

5’11 ½” 11st 12lb (1951)

Marsden joined United from Leeds Red Triangle League side Osmondthorpe YMCA, in August 1948 and turned professional in August 1950. A former French Polisher, he was a devoted clubman for over a decade and served as a capable stand-in firstly for John Charles and later Jack Charlton. In his debut season of 1952-53, he had a run of seven games as replacement for Jim McCabe, as John Charles was pushed up front, but ominously Jack Charlton was given a debut in the last game of the season. 1953-54 was one of Marsden’s most productive, with Charles operating at centre forward he ousted Jim McCabe in October and was virtually ever-present for the rest of the season. With Charlton still not quite ready for first team duty he started the 1954-55 season but with five straight loses Charles reverted to defence and Marsden barely had a look in while the Gentle Giant was fit. United’s promotion season saw Charles back up front and the emergence of Jack Charlton with Marsden restricted to two games at left back. For United’s first season back in the top flight it was Charlton and Marsden neck and neck in the pivot spot both getting twenty-one games each as Charles plundered the First Division defences with thirty-eight League goals. After that it was Charlton firmly established at Centre Half and Marsden restricted to the odd game when Charlton was not available. Awarded a joint benefit with goalkeeper Jack Scott in 1956, he joined Barrow along with winger John Kemp in March 1959. They could not stop them from having to apply for re-election and he stayed until the end of the following season making forty-seven League appearances. He had spells with Carlisle United, from September 1960 and he made eighty-eight League appearances as they were twice promoted to the Third Division and once relegated during his time there. His final League club was Doncaster Rovers, who he joined in July 1964, but after making his debut on 22nd August 1964 in a 2-5 defeat at Bradford Park Avenue, he only managed one further game at Belle Vue.