Simple Match Fishing Forum

Just a quick introduction from a new member. My user name is my real name. I match fished mainly at club level for about 35 years from around 1970, also fishing winter leagues (with Wareham DAS (Dorset), Christchurch AC (Dorset) and Team Castle (Wilts), opens - local (Dorset) and further afield - Bristol Avon, Thames, Longleat etc. and half a dozen Nations with Barclays Bank AA. I suppose I was what you'd call a good club angler having won many club matches, the club championships a few times, a few opens and some winter leagues. I took early retirement about 5 years ago to look after my wife who needs help but still fish several times a week. I have also done a fair bit of angling writing the last few years, co-writing three books with Graham Marsden, another on my own about specimen roach and another sequel on specimen roach due out this year. I am also helping someone well-known in the match world with their project on the history of the Nationals and have just started work on an official biography of Ivan Marks and the Likely Lads (aiming to be published end 2015 at the earliest, more likely 2016), which is where I'm hoping to share and gain information - the exact scope is still forming, with many lines to be followed. I have a vast archive of match fishing stuff (books, magazines, newspapers) though never enough (my wife would probably disagree!). In the meantime I hope to get along with you guys.

Welcome aboard Mark. This site is the place to be if you want info from the past....most of em were brought up with cane and wicker . Seriously, there are many experienced members on here who I am sure would be helpful to you and your projects. Look forward to seeing them when they are finished. Good Luck

Welcome Mark....you don't have to be mad to come on here...but it sure does help   

Journalism n stats - eh!!
Im sure Bill (AKA The Oracle ) will take you under his wing.....now that is his game 

Welcome aboard Mark

Look forward to reading your latest projects when they come to fruition

Hi Mark, welcome

Welcome to the site Mark. Enjoy your stay. If you need any help with all the buttons just ask

Thank you all for the welcome.

When I get a bit deeper into my research I may have some Ivan-related questions.

Welcome former team mate and supplier of fruit shortie biscuits! Mark is from the era of Bruce and walker rods and Mitchell match reels attached to them with bicycle inner tube, and is a fountain of knowledge of angling back in the days of coaches at nationals, and peacock wagglers 18" long for the north bank of the Nene! So you'll feel at home here mate. Keep the kettle and biscuit tin topped up!

Welcome former team mate and supplier of fruit shortie biscuits! Mark is from  the era of Bruce and walker rods and Mitchell match reels attached to them with bicycle inner tube, and is a fountain of knowledge of angling back in the days of coaches at nationals, and peacock wagglers 18" long for the north bank of the Nene! So you'll feel at home here mate. Keep the kettle and biscuit  tin topped up!

Sadly out of biscuits but always ready with a brew if you're down this way, Richard. Well done on the Riverfest match.

Yes welcome on board Mark. Nice to know there is someone else about that appreciates proper fishing and also has my very same interests in stats and so forth.

Hope this makes sense because I have just back from a slurp and a talk about Stan Smiths days with England.
I am nowhere near as old as most of them make out on here, just have a good memory if I remember right!!

Chat soon; you'll enjoy it on here.

Hi mark welcome to the site it's a great site and has some of the best anglers in the country poping on all the time . Just ask anything you need to know