The football world is paying tribute to Roly Howard, the man whose 33 years in charge of Marine AFC earned him recognition as the longest-serving manager in the history of the game. Howard led the Merseyside club through 1,975 matches between August 1972 and April 2005, a span unmatched in English football. Alongside his managerial duties, he also tended the club’s grounds, a role he once joked offered rare job security.
Howard died at the age of 90, and Marine honoured him with a minute of silence before their National League fixture on Saturday. Club chairman Paul Leary described him as a figure who shaped the identity of Marine for more than three decades, noting that his commitment brought the club great stability and a long list of achievements. Under his guidance, Marine won five league titles and fifteen cup competitions, while also developing young players who later reached the top tier, including future Liverpool and Republic of Ireland midfielder Jason McAteer.
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Howard often spoke with modesty about his time in charge, reflecting in 2005 that the years seemed to pass almost unnoticed while he was in the thick of the work. He earned a place in the Guinness World Records for the longevity of his career and remained a cherished figure long after stepping down. He once said the camaraderie with his players was what he valued most, and he left the game on his own terms, satisfied that the moment was right.
His death marks the end of a story that shaped a club, a community, and a corner of English football history.
