Karl's final flourish

Source: M.E.N.

Stuart Brennan
27/ 4/2007

KARL Marginson will come out of football retirement to play in FC United's final league game of the season against lowly Formby on Saturday (3pm).

The Rebels' boss, who has guided his team to a second successive promotion and into next Thursday's League Challenge Cup final, wants a last hurrah and is threatening to bring himself on as a sub for the last 10 minutes.

The 36-year-old van driver has not played since he suffered a knee injury turning out for Flixton two years ago.

Two months later he was appointed FC manager and, despite registering as a player last season, did not play for the club.

"It might be a bit selfish, but I want to finish my career on a high, and it's something I have been mulling over," said Marginson, a former Rotherham and Macclesfield striker.

"I am sure I will get some stick from our fans, but they will shut up when I belt one in the top corner!"

The match will also mark the retirement of assistant manager Darren Lyons and defender Dave Brown.

The club intends to turn the match into a celebration and has invited George Best's sister Barbara McNarry to be a special guest - she will accept a cheque for £3,000 raised for her brother's charity Foundation.

And Marginson wants his players to cap a fantastic league season with a win over lowly Formby - last season they had to pick up the Division Two trophy after losing to Great Harwood Town 1-0 in front of over 6,000 fans.

Marginson will be without Rob Nugent who will rest a knee injury and the suspended Stuart Rudd.