Page 3 - Ashton & Backwell FC v Street 220423
P. 3

Club Statement




        MIKE THOMAS, CLUB
        CHAIRMAN TO LEAVE
        ASHTON & BACKWELL UNITED
        My decision to stand down as chairman and leave
        the committee was announced to the players on
        Tuesday night after the Ilfracombe game.
        I’ve had 32 years in local football, Management,
        Secretary, Youth manager, Assistant-manager, 13
        years  of  which  with  this  football  club  as  vice
        chairman/  Director  of  football  then  taking  over
        from Jim Biggins formally as chairman, officially 5
        years ago and groundsman, around 8 years ago,
        I think I’ve done my bit.
        I can assure you it’s all very amicable, I will continue to help out on maintaining
        the pitch. My plan for Saturday afternoon’s is to watch Sam play, a few beers,
        a gossip, a moan and a groan! Just like most of you reading this.
        I would like thank you all for supporting me and this great club, the progress
        we made over the years has been great considering the lack of finance, a small
        committee  etc.  The  managers,  players,  supporters  have  been  a  pleasure
        (MOST OF THE TIME!)
        My  last  1st  team  game  and  programme  will  be  a  week  today,  v  Torpoint
        Saturday 29th April. This, sadly will also be our last Toolstation Western League
        game. I hope you will come to watch and join me for a drink afterwards.
                                     THE FUTURE
        The  club  vice  chairman  (and  Reserve  team  coach)  Matt  Southern  and
        committee member Phil Rex will continue to run the club along with Charlie
        Cole and Charlie Dando. With me going, and we were unable to find anyone
        else to join the committee  to take  on all  my tasks, Matt  and Phil sadly but
        realistically  took  the  unpopular  decision  to  remove  the  1st  team  from  the
        Western league completely at the end of this season. Next season the club will
        run with just one team in Division 1 of the Somerset county league.
        The club simply will not have the structure, people or funds to continue @step
        5  or  even  step  6.  This  club  is  not  the  only  one  to  struggle  with  a  lack  of
        volunteers and committee members, this has been confirmed to me by Western
        league officials. I hear there will be another club to follow our decision (likely
        to be in Cornwall)  . Thursday night another  very well-established
        club told me they are dramatically down on helpers.
        Thank you. UP THE STAGS!
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