Long-serving March Town captain and record goalscorer announces his departure from the United Counties League Premier Division South club

It is the end of an era at March Town following the departure of long-serving captain and record goalscorer Craig Gillies.

The Hares have paid tribute to a player whose name has become synonymous with the Hares over the past seven years.

Gillies has carved out a career that will live long in the memory of supporters at the GER, scoring 148 goals in 251 appearances.

He has also had spells as a player with both Chatteris and King’s Lynn.

Described as a “true leader, role model, and clubman in every sense,” Craig’s legacy goes far beyond numbers.

The striker played a vital role in securing promotion from Step 6, lifting the Hinchingbrooke Cup, and, most recently, captaining the team to glory in the Cambridge Invitational Cup with a hard-fought win over Ely City.

“Craig has been an instrumental figure in the club’s journey,” a club statement read.

“His commitment, leadership, and passion have been at the heart of some of the most memorable moments in recent club history.”

The departure marks a deeply emotional moment not only for the fans but also for manager Ash Taylor, who has worked with the club's talisman since the early days of his career as a teenager.

“Having first started with Craig when he was 19 years of age, we have been on one hell of a journey together,” said Taylor.

"He’s become the club’s record goalscorer, the first captain to lift a trophy in 40 years, and then again the following season, lifting one we hadn’t won in 70 years. The club will never find another Gillies.”

Taylor praised the frontman not only for his footballing talents but for the way he conducted himself around the club and the connection he had with the community.

“The effort you gave for the shirt. The goals you scored. The connection with the fans. The memories you created. The legacy you left. Thank you for everything.”

The Hares will remain in the United Counties League Premier Division South for the 2025/26 season after losing an appeal with the Football Association to be moved to the Thurlow Nunn Premier Division.

Having reached the play-off semi-finals in each of the past two campaigns, the club had applied to make the switch to the old Eastern Counties League in 2025/26.

A club statement said: “March Town United can confirm that our appeal against the rejected lateral movement request to the Eastern Counties League has been dismissed by the FA’s Judicial Services.

"While we are naturally disappointed, we respect the process and decision taken.

“Our focus now turns fully to the season ahead in the United Counties League South, where we remain committed to working hard on and off the pitch to compete for success.

"We thank our supporters, players, and staff for their continued backing and look forward to the challenges ahead.”

Looking ahead, boss Taylor remains focused on strengthening the squad:

“We’ve finished in the top five and four in the last two seasons," he said.

"The goal now is to build on that. We’ll be announcing two new signings next week, along with confirming which players from last season are staying or moving on.”