Drogheda, County Louth | Founded 1985 | Marley’s Lane
Claret and blue football at Marley’s Lane
Drogheda Boys FC now carries the wider Drogheda Boys and Girls FC identity, giving players in Drogheda a busy football home at Marley’s Lane.
Club identity
A Drogheda pathway that has grown far beyond one age group
Drogheda Boys FC was founded in 1985. The club now operates as Drogheda Boys and Girls FC, with the crest, the current club name and the Marley’s Lane base reflecting a wider pathway for boys, girls and adult teams.
For families, the name is easy to connect: the old football name remains familiar, while the current club identity includes girls football and senior football as part of the same setting. That is useful when parents are checking fixtures, coach messages and league entries that may use the Boys and Girls wording.
The club colours are claret and blue. They run through the crest and the visual identity, giving visiting teams and new families a clear signal when they arrive at the ground.
Marley’s Lane
The practical football home for Drogheda families
Marley’s Lane is the club’s recognised home venue. It is used for DDSL fixtures and for regular club activity, making it the first place most families and visiting teams will associate with Drogheda Boys and Girls FC.
The ground sits inside a busy club programme, so arriving early helps. Players need time to meet the coach, find the correct pitch, warm up and settle before training or kickoff.
Visiting teams should confirm whether the game is on Marley’s Lane and which pitch is in use. That check is especially useful on busy Saturday and Sunday fixture blocks.
Current scale
A fast growing club with boys, girls and senior football
By the 2025/26 season, the club had 317 registered players and roughly 360 players involved when Kindergarten activity is included. The programme covered 20 teams, including 18 underage teams, a Senior Women’s team and a Senior Men’s team.
That scale is important for new families. It means there are several entry points, and the right contact makes a big difference. A clear first message helps the club place the player in the correct age group and avoid sending families to the wrong team.
The club also achieved its first FAI Club Mark award during this period and continued to strengthen girls football and senior football. For players, that helps show a route beyond the first few weeks of training.
Facilities
Growing facilities around a busy football base
Marley’s Lane has been central to the club’s growth, and facility work has been a major theme for the committee. The club has been pursuing modular changing rooms and toilet facilities, with planning, grant and certification steps moving through the process.
Families should still check match day arrangements before travelling, especially around toilets, changing rooms and meeting points. A busy youth ground works best when parents know what to expect before they arrive.
Longer term plans have also centred on a stronger football environment at Marley’s Lane, including car parking, pitch quality and improved training space. The point for parents is simple: the club is trying to match its facilities to the number of players now using the grounds.
Player pathway
From first football to older teams
Drogheda Boys and Girls FC gives younger players a local route into organised football, with boys and girls teams connected to the same ground and club identity. Older players can also see senior football connected to the pathway.
The first question for a family is the player’s year of birth. From there, the club can point the player toward the right team, coach and training time.
First visit
Make a busy ground feel manageable
A first visit to Marley’s Lane should feel organised rather than rushed. Tell the player where they are going, who they will meet and whether the visit is a first look, a training session or a fixture.
Bring water, shin guards, the correct footwear and a warm layer. If the player is nervous, new to football, changing clubs or returning after time away, mention that to the coach before the session starts.
Parents can help by keeping the first message short and clear. Include the player name, year of birth, previous football if any, and whether the enquiry is for boys football, girls football, Kindergarten or senior football.
Before you travel
Questions worth asking
| Area | Ask this before the first session or fixture |
|---|---|
| Age group | Which group is right for the player’s year of birth? |
| Venue | Is the session or fixture at Marley’s Lane? |
| Pitch | Which pitch or meeting point should families use? |
| Facilities | What toilet or changing arrangements are available for this session? |
| Arrival | What time should players arrive before training or kickoff? |
First enquiry
Send the details that help the club answer quickly
A useful first enquiry includes the player name, year of birth, local area, previous club if any, and whether the family is asking about boys football, girls football, Kindergarten, senior football or a return to football.
Ask for the next suitable session, the Marley’s Lane meeting point and the footwear needed. If the player has a friend already at the club or needs a slower first visit, include that in the message.
Check the latest club or coach notice before travelling, as training plans, pitch access and fixture venues can change during the season.