27 September 2007 - The Travels Of FC Marco

On 27 September 2007, the Portuguese Football Federation relegated FC Marco and suspended the club for two years. Not that it mattered.

Founded in 1927, Marco spent its entire existence in Portugal's lower divisions. Their best finish was fourth place in the second division, achieved in 2005. But two years later, they were back in the third division, where the 2007-08 season started without them, as they failed to show up for their first four matches.

The FPF kept a close eye on the situation after the first missed game and gave Marco a little time to pull things together. By the fourth missed game, however, the FPF had had enough. On 27 September, they issued a formal notice of punishment, dropping Marco into the fourth division and suspending them for two seasons. It was a hollow punishment, however, as Marco never showed up for the fourth division, either. Shortly after the notice, the club dissolved. 

In 2009, a new club rose to take Marco's place. Called AD Marco 09, they entered the Porto Second Regional Division and began to work their way up the pyramid, earning promotion in their first season. They currently sit at the top of the Porto FA First Division, which is in the sixth tier of the Portuguese pyramid.