Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-league football and are absolutely paramount to the running of a vast majority of clubs in the non-league. Whether it be the person on the gate or the secretary these are all people who give up their time to aid in the running of a local football club.
A lot of non-league clubs especially at a lower level struggle to find volunteers with a lot of volunteers doing several jobs for example the secretary also being the kit man .
Clubs are always welcoming of new volunteers willing to do what they can with clubs having to operate to certain standards set by the FA with rules differing at each level with the demand for more volunteers increasing as you go up the steps.
Cayden Sands a former Thackley volunteer described his motivations for getting involved.
He said: ‘I was looking for a new challenge after I felt I’d hit a dead end following uni, I wasn’t getting much out of my stuff with Guiseley and I’d always enjoyed visiting Thackley as a club, so it was a no brainer really’ there are young people like Cayden involved with involved with non-league.
The vast majority are retirees like Goole AFC volunteer Bob Haywood.
He said: ‘I got involved in been a volunteer once I retired as I have been a life long supporter of my home town and semi-professional football club in Goole, all clubs need volunteers at grass root level as they are the lifeblood of a non-league club otherwise they would not be able to survive, as clubs need matchday volunteers, social media, commercial side and sponsorship, hospitality etc.
Bob Haywood Goole AFC Commercial Manager
“Plus also as a volunteer you get to meet your other volunteers and the social element side of volunteering in meeting the manager and players at this level something that probably doesn’t happen further up the football pyramid’ showing how rewarding volunteering is in non-league.”
Bob added: “Simply clubs need hardworking and committed volunteers clubs at the lower levels of the football pyramid to be able to continue week in and week out, so to sum up that’s why I got involved to help my club on an ongoing basis and the reward it brings especially if your team is doing well on the field knowing that u have contributed in some way towards this.’
Young people being involved in non-league is particularly vital to operating a clubs social media accounts which in recent years has become vital to the commercial side of football in regards to promoting sponsors and raising the profile of the club.
Non-league has thrived post covid with rising gates and therefore better atmospheres and a better standard of football and it is the volunteers who make this all possible.
