REMEMBERING MARK STANTON
On this day, June 14th, 2013. Sadly, we had the news that Mark Stanton was taken from us far too soon. Mark was just 44 years old.
Mark, like the late Mark Burrows, died from (MND) Motor Neurone Disease.
Husband to Fiona and father to two children, Cody & Lorelai.
Being a great sports and athletic person, non drinking, with courageous Christian faith, enabled Mark to live life to the fullest.
Mark “Stanno” Stanton, was a firm fan favourite of the Ashford Town faithful.
Born on 29/8/1968, Mark Played for Town, from 1990 to 1997, making his debut on September 29th 1990, versus Canterbury City, in the Southern League Southern Division and playing his final game on April 5th 1997, versus Cambridge City, in the Southern League Premier Division.
Mark won two Kent Cup Senior medals, ‘92/93 & ‘95/96, with promotion, FA Cup 1st round proper and FA Cup 2nd round proper.
Against Fulham in the replay, Stanno scored two goals at Craven Cottage
In the ‘93/94 season, in the Beazer Homes League, Town finished 6th, scoring 93 goals. 23 of which, were scored by Mark.
The ‘94/95 season, Ashford finished 5th, scoring 106 goals. Mark scored 25 that season, with Dave Arter scoring 37. Al
Mark was a hero and gentleman, on and off the pitch. A man who is still thought of fondly and missed very much.
Mary Stanton. Legends live on. Gone but never forgotten.
~Ernie Warren~
Mark played 307 games for town. Scoring 128 goals and ranks 3rd in the all time Ashford Town/United top Goalscorer’s list. Sitting behind John Young (173) & Dave Arter (196)
Stanno also went his entire Town career without a single yellow or red card.
Memories of Mark “Stanno” Stanton
My favourite memory of Mark was scoring the equaliser in the famous Fullham FA Cup replay at Craven Cottage. Fulham had gone 2-0 up and we battled back to 2-2 before Fulham went 3-2 up with a minute or so to go before we went back at Fulham from the kick off and Mark scored to equalise again with virtually the last kick of the game …cue pandemonium from about 3000 ashford fans. We lost 5-3 after ET but what an experience. Stanno was an absolute legend and one of the fastest players in non league football.
~Dave Jones~
Memories of Mark Stanton
I first started watching the nuts and bolts when my Dad took me to a friendly match back in the early 90’s. I was buzzing after my first game and was hooked straight away. A passion for my local club that would stick with me forever.
Along my journey of following the mighty green and whites I was lucky enough to have enjoyed several seasons under Neil Cugley’s reign of management.
The squad was incredibly talented and after a promotion we sat in the Beazer Homes Premier Division which today would be the equivalent of the National League South.
I had many favourites in that side but two names always stood out for me.
One was forward Nicky Dent and the other was Mark Stanton.
Mark was such an exciting player to watch with bags of pace on and off the ball and skill to beat players at ease whilst running down the right wing suppling balls into the box for Dave Arter and Nicky Dent to slot home but would also chip in with 20 odd goals per season himself.
Regarding his pace many fans will remember Mark being called up to compete in a half time sprint at Wembley Stadium during a friendly between England vs Colombia in a race to find the quickest player in non league football. Mark finished second in the race against a strong field.
I’ve a few memories of his goal scoring exploits but for me the biggest goals were the two he scored at Craven Cottage against Fulham in an FA Cup 1st Round Replay. A night where Stano tore Fulhams defence apart with his pace, a night I will never forget!
One funny memory I have about Mark was the time during a home match when he lost one of his contact lenses on the pitch. He was on his hands and knees searching the turf trying to find the missing lens. I believe he eventually located it and the game could resume.
As a kid watching Mark play I would quite often go over the field after school with my mates and try and run up and down the wing pretending to be Mark. He certainly was a big part of my childhood footballing memories and has been missed by so many people.
~Paul Stephenson~
