Boss Markey a chip off the old block
May 1st 2000. The Evening Herald by Jimmy Geoghegan.
Last Tuesday Karl Markey celebrated his 21st birthday with a bash organised by his family and friends and it is a safe bet that one of the main topics for discussion was soccer. At an age when most youngsters are just starting out on a playing career Karl Markey is nearing the end of his first season as a manager of Stedfast United's Division 2B side. And his tender age surely makes Karl one of the youngest - if not THE youngest manager - in junior soccer. Karl, who took to management after an injury forced him to take a lengthy break from playing, is passionate about his football and is deeply interested in tactics. He can reflect back on his first season in the hot seat with some pride. United have remained in the promotion hunt for most of this season and they have also reached the semi-final of the Leslie Reynolds, only losing to York Athletic by the odd goal in three. Karl is also in the unusual position of having taken over management from his dad David Markey who has been involved with Stedfast teams for over 20 years and won just about everything in the club colours from Premier titles to divisional shields. Many of the young players on the current division 2B side started their careers on an under-12 team David had set up to help the players through the ranks - his hard work is now bearing fruit. David, who is well known in the publishing business, was also player-manager of the Stedfast side defeated in the Sidney Bedlow Cup at Dalymount Park two seasons ago, a night marred by a thief who broke into the Stedfast dressing room in the first-half. Despite a couple of broken legs over the years David, who is an extremely fit forty something, still loves playing. He is currently sidelined with a fractured wrist but is already looking forward to the next season. Like father, like son.