Soccer’s growth in the United States has been defined by youth participation. According to a 2023 survey, nearly two-thirds of the 14 million Americans who played any kind of outdoor soccer are under the age of 25. However, without the vast league systems present in European nations nor the society-defining role played by soccer in Central and South America, continuing to play the beautiful game can be a struggle for adults.
However, like many other things in life: in New England, it’s a little bit different.
Marblehead F.C. was founded in 1981 as one of the six charter members of the New England Over the Hill Soccer League. Originally started as an over 30s club, there are now four teams in different age groups in the OTHSL as well as a vibrant pickup soccer group with over 100 participants from Marblehead and the surrounding communities.
COURTESY PHOTO
In the 44 years since the league’s founding, the OTHSL has grown into the largest adult soccer league in the country, with 277 teams and over 7,000 players taking part in games across Massachusetts and southern New Hampshire, with age categories ranging from over 30 all the way up to an over 68 division.
“After college-age and up until you’re 30… locally it’s hard to find a game,” said Chris Kennedy, the player-manager for the over-40 side. “At this age, it’s very rare to be able to play in a league where you’re trying to achieve something. It’s not a beer league. It’s not a casual, pickup type thing. You’re trying to get promoted… you’re always fighting for something.”
While Kennedy’s over 40s team lost the Division 3 North final on penalties, the manager said “to be able to do that at this age and have your kids be able to see you do that at this age… it’s great to be a part of.”
Similar to professional soccer leagues outside of the U.S., the OTHSL has a system of promotion and relegation with the best teams in lower divisions “going up” to take the place of the worst teams in the upper leagues.
“It’s really unusual to be able to find an adult league that is this well organized,” said Eric Paquette, co-manager of MFC’s over 55 team. “We show up every week and there’s another team to play, there’s a field, there’s a ref, and you know it’s going to happen for ten weeks in the fall and ten weeks in the spring.”
Outside of the competition, however, the simple joy of getting to spend time playing and watching soccer is a truly special element of the club.
“We watch games together and we’re on the WhatsApp chat all day long,” said Kennedy. “It’s like a brotherhood. You go out there, you compete together. It’s a really wonderful group.”
Marblehead F.C. is currently working on gaining nonprofit status. Club member Al Wilson writes that the goal of the nonprofit is “expanding equitable youth access to high-quality soccer by eliminating financial barriers, improving local fields, providing donated gear and fostering community-wide soccer play of all ages in the North Shore.”
Even though the league teams can be selective, the club represents all of Marblehead every time they take to the pitch.
“We’re thankful to the town,” said Steve White, co-manager for the over 55s. “We’re thankful and appreciative to have been able to play locally for so many years.”
