They joined the Liverpool County Combination in the 1970–71 season, gaining promotion at the first attempt, winning the Second Division championship.

This was the start of a 34-year spell in the top flight of the Liverpool County Combination where the club was to win the First Division championship no less than twelve times and finish as runners-up on a further ten occasions.

Facing a Liverpool Reserves side containing many of then manager Rafael Benitez's young talents, The Dock were only sunk by a late goal from Krisztian Nemeth after matching Gary Ablett’s side for most of the game.

[5] The record had been held by another Merseysider, Roly Howard, who managed Marine for 33 years.

In May 2013, Davies announced that, at the age of 71, he was to retire at the end of the 2012–13 season after 50 years at the helm.