The club can confirm that defender Marcus Mapstone has made the decision to retire from football this summer. With the club holding a celebration of his career at our home friendly vs Southampton B. Where Marcus will join the squad for one last time.
Marcus has been a rock at the heart of our defence for seven seasons having joined us in October 2015 from Mangotsfield. Making his debut on 28th October 2015 in a home Southern League Premier Division encounter vs Weymouth, where we secured a 1-1 draw. At the time we were fighting a relegation battle but by the end of the campaign with Marcus's support the club were well clear of the drop.
During Marcus's second season (2016-17), we achieved our best ever Southern League Premier final placing of 8th alongside defensive partner Sam Teale.
"Maps" was a reliable central defender who could also step up to play in midfield, made 196 apps for the club and scored 19 goals. Including a fruitful season in 2017-18 where he scored nine times.
As Marcus approached a landmark of 200 games for the club, a serious injury in the Christmas fixture v Melksham kept Marcus out of action for four months. Only rejoining the squad for the final two weeks of the season. Marcus's final game came as a substitute away at Lymington on the last day of the league season and he scored with a close range header within four minutes of coming on to sign off a wonderful career with the club.
During Marcus's career he also played for Yate Town, Paulton Rovers and Almondsbury Town. The club would like to thank Marcus for his wonderful contribution and hope that Marcus will be joining the club in a coaching capacity in the future.
Messages to Marcus
As part of Maps's decision the club reached out to those that worked with Marcus's over the years who had a message of thanks and support. "I am sad to see Maps hang up his boots. I only wish I had the opportunity to work with him earlier, and in a none COVID world. We always knew there was a possibility this season could be his last, so for him to pick up a serious knee injury around Christmas which effectively ended his season was devastating. I'm just glad we managed to get him out in the pitch in our final league game at Lymington. I'm hopeful we can give him the send off he deserves in our pre season game against Southampton, as it is what he deserves. Maps he had an outstanding career at this level, and was superb for me in my time at the club and got better and better each season, which is scary as he was already first class. He is so calm in all situations and without being a screamer and a shouter, he helped those around him. But more importantly, Maps is a top top guy. Hopefully this won't be the last we see of him and I am hopeful he will be around in some capacity to help me and the coaching team in the future when time allows. Good luck and thank you Maps. - Frome Manager, Danny Greaves
"One of the best I’ve played with on and off the pitch. Helped me mature massively playing along side him for so many years. Proud to say he will be a friend for life! I just hope he doesn’t get too good at golf before I can hang my boots up and play with him every week. - Frome Captain, Sam Teale
"Apart from being a fantastic centre half with leadership qualities as a man. Marcus is a true gentleman and he will be my friend for life" - Frome Chairman - Derek Graham "I fought really hard to re-sign Maps when I took over at Paulton and what a signing he turned out to be! He helped us to a play off semi final, and a Somerset cup victory, then a play off final win the following season in which he was instrumental. He excelled at the highest level of southern league football and when I took over at Frome he was a player I was desperate to sign again. He was outstanding and helped dig us out of the relegation battle we inherited that year. He was a Rolls Royce of a centre half, who could play, mix it physically, chip in with key goals at set plays, read the game well and had a cultured left peg. The bigger the game the better he performed and that was testament to his temperament as a player. Off the field he was easy to manage, a great team mate and a thoroughly nice bloke. He’s had a cracking non league career and can be extremely proud of all he’s achieved. Enjoy your Saturdays whatever you do with them next" - Former Frome Manager - Nick Bunyard
"I was lucky enough to play with, coach and manage Maps. He was one of our main targets when Nick and I went to Frome. An ever reliable and great player that in my opinion could have played at a higher level. An all round top guy that I’m pleased to call a mate. - Former Frome Manager - Josh Jefferies
Join us to stay farewell to Marcus: