Volunteers | Celebrating the unsung heroes behind-the-scenes

Friday is International Volunteers Day and we take this opportunity to show our appreciation to those who give up their time to assist the club.

Volunteers play such a crucial role across non-League football. Up and down the country at all levels of the game, there are so many unsung heroes doing their bit behind-the-scenes week in, week out.

We are fortunate to be able to call upon an extremely talented and committed group of volunteers here at the KMM Energy Stadium, some of whom have given decades of service to the club, whilst others have only started this season, but together they are the team behind the team and we appreciate and value each and every one of them.

Today we shine a light on four of them. Each are well-respected and long-serving members of the Gloucester City AFC Family. We’ll profile more of our volunteers as the season goes on.

NAME: David Miller

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VOLUNTEER?

I can’t remember exactly but it was at the old Meadow Park and before the flood; probably around 2000.  Back then I was involved in various roles from being on the then Supporters Club Committee, writing for the programme, helping around the ground, safety officer and finishing off as Assistant Football Secretary.  Tim’s history book shows me as Chairman in 2006, but that was really just holding the fort for a few weeks between one person leaving and another starting. I also spent a time as Youth Development Co-Ordinator, which was essentially doing the Admin to support Kenny Blackburn and his team of coaches with our then U12 to U18 squads.

Shortly after the flood I became a dad and that, along with increasing work commitments and changes around the club, I chose to step away for a period. I returned shortly after our return to the then Tiger Turf Stadium and started helping out again.

WHAT FIRST INSPIRED YOU TO GET INVOLVED?

Initially it was seeing a job that needed to be done and knowing that I could help out and make a difference. I will never be able to score the winning goal and I can only make a small contribution, but if it helps us move forwards and allows people to enjoy their time at the game a little bit more then it’s all worthwhile. Through helping out I meet a lot of good people, there is a good sense of community around the club and I enjoy my time here.

Another reason harks back to my time as Assistant Secretary.  As today, back then there was a small group of volunteers who worked behind-the-scenes to keep the show on the road; many of them were good friends and their help allowed me to do my job.

WHAT DO YOUR ROLES INCLUDE?

Primarily it’s all about cleaning and tidying up; litter picking, emptying bins, cleaning toilets and, of course, trying to make sure we’ve got enough loo paper!  I also clean the changing rooms, help wash the kit, look for lost footballs, try and keep the weeds at bay, lock up at the end of men’s match days and pick up whatever other odd jobs come my way, from taking deliveries to helping midweek visitors to the club and all points in-between.  Until recently I wrote the Women and Girls pages for our Matchday Programme, Inside City, as well.  A typical week sees me down here four or five times a week and on men and women’s match days.  In the last few weeks, Dave Staite has started working with me and is doing a great job.

HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY BEING PART OF THE CLUB IN THIS WAY?

I get a lot of satisfaction (and exercise) from helping out and enjoy being a part of the City community.  There are days when I’m dragging around a broken bin bag in the cold and dark with the rain pouting down when it becomes a bit more of a challenge but on the whole the good bits far outweigh the difficult days.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE VOLUNTEERS ACROSS ALL NON LEAGUE CLUBS?

We keep the show on the road.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUPPORTED THE CLUB?

That’s a good question!  My family moved up to the Forest of Dean in 1975 when I was still at school.  Prior to moving, my dad and I were season ticket holders at Yeovil Town. I missed my football fix and recall catching one of the few local buses into Gloucester and walking up to Horton Road to watch a game. The problem was I had to leave shortly after half time to get the last bus home! I remember watching Jeff Blockley play and the SL Cup Final against Wealdstone, so it must have been about 1980.

HOPES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?

For the Men’s team the hope is we’ll secure one of those promotion spots. 

I am a big supporter of the Women’s sides and they mean a lot to me.  I hope at the end of the season we can look back having firmly established ourselves in our new higher Leagues and can once again reflect on another positive season where we’ve continued to grow and thrive.  I’d hope to see our attendances increase; the teams play some excellent football which deserves to be seen by more people. Some silver ware would be nice as well.

For our youth sides my hopes are that they continue to grow and thrive and that the young players and those who come to support them finish the season with lots of good memories and a sprinkle of silver as well would be nice.

The work the Community team are doing is inspirational and I hope they go from strength to strength. Above all there is a growing feeling of positivity around the place.  It’s heart-warming to see crowds increase. Young fans enjoying their time at games and the club reconnecting to the City and that generation of football fans who grew up while we were in exile.  Long may this continue.

NAME: Trevor King

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VOLUNTEER?

I started volunteering in 1986, so the coming year will mark the 40^th Anniversary, it certainly makes me feel old! My first game was a pre-season friendly against Swindon Town. There were long queues so I agreed to jump on a turnstile to help out and you could say that I haven’t looked back since! I always wanted to give something back to the club and this is the ideal way for me to be able to do that and play my part.

WHAT DO YOUR ROLES INCLUDE?

These days I sell Matchday Programmes, Golden Goal tickets, Cash Draw tickets, then when the action on the pitch starts, I put a hi-vis jacket on and become a steward. At the end of the game I then assist in the collecting and disposing of rubbish.

HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY BEING PART OF THE CLUB IN THIS WAY?

I very much enjoy what I do here. I like nothing more than talking to home and away fans and just immersing myself in the whole matchday experience.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE VOLUNTEERS ACROSS ALL NON LEAGUE CLUBS?

Volunteers are the lifeblood of clubs. I really don’t think that clubs, particularly in non-League football, could exist without them, to be totally honest.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUPPORTED THE CLUB?

I have supported the club since 1985 and, as you can imagine, I have seen plenty of ups and downs during the four decades since then!

HOPES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?

The ultimate aim is to take the Premier South title, but if that is not possible, I will take promotion via the play-offs. Having come so close last time out, we have to ensure that this is our year.

NAME: Craig Layhe

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VOLUNTEER?

This is my fourth season as a volunteer. I was inspired to get involved purely by seeing others being involved in helping on matchdays. I respected their efforts and the pride that they had in being able to help the club in some way. So my involvement was all about the actions of others and I am so glad that I got involved here.

WHAT DO YOUR ROLES INCLUDE?

I do various roles on matchdays, anything that the club needs to make the day run as smoothly as possible. The main roles include being on the gate, and being the first point of contact to help fans and answer any questions they may have. My main motivation is to be as welcoming as I possibly can because first impressions count!

During the game I switch to being a steward and also unofficial ball boy when they are fired over the fence! I am also Secretary of the Supporters Trust on a voluntary basis; it blows my mind how much time and effort goes on behind-the-scenes not only on matchdays, but also throughout the week to raise funds to help contribute to the club.

Personally I volunteer about 25-30 hours per month, but there are so many other who contribute more and I salute them.

HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY BEING PART OF THE CLUB IN THIS WAY?

Enjoyment is paramount; helping fans, getting to chat football for five hours and also knowing that however small, it all helps the club function on matchdays and helps minimise costs.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE VOLUNTEERS ACROSS ALL NON LEAGUE CLUBS?

Volunteers have such an important role to play, they ease the burden on the people who run the club, freeing up time for them to concentrate on other areas. They also save clubs time and money by doing such tasks as tidying up and running repairs.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUPPORTED THE CLUB?

I’ve supported City for 40 years. The depth of support has varied across that time due to life events, but City have always been my club and that will be the case forever.

HOPES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?

The main hope for the season is, obviously, promotion, but beyond that I want to also see the club continue to develop and grow within the community, across all of our affiliated teams. Stability as a club in our operating model is vital, as is our connection with the fans.

NAME: John Hammonds

HOW LONG HAVE YOU BEEN A VOLUNTEER?

On and off for the past 50 years. I just enjoy being able to help MY club whenever and however I can.

WHAT DO YOUR ROLES INCLUDE?

I would say that my role would best be described as the ‘unofficial maintenance guy’! I am in a position where I don’t need to work for payment every day, so I can afford to give my time and skillset to the club free of charge.

I also like co-ordinating other trades and qualified people to do work at the stadium at discounted rates. I’m also an unofficial briefing person who briefs the stewards and security on matchdays as this was a specialty of mine whilst a serving Police Officer.

HOW MUCH DO YOU ENJOY BEING PART OF THE CLUB IN THIS WAY?

I actually enjoy my work as a volunteer as much as I ever did when I was being paid to work! As I say, this is MY club and I will do anything I can to help out.

HOW IMPORTANT ARE VOLUNTEERS ACROSS ALL NON LEAGUE CLUBS?

Volunteers are vital in clubs at our level. It makes it more financially viable, but having said that, you also need to be able to find square pegs to put in square holes. I am competent in what I do, but useless with IT, so it’s important to have people with the correct skillsets in the numerous volunteer roles that exist within clubs.

HOW LONG HAVE YOU SUPPORTED THE CLUB?

I have supported the club since 1968 and, as such, they are such a big part of my life. The passion for City runs deep.

HOPES FOR THE REST OF THE SEASON?

Like everyone, I would like to see us get back into Step 2. We certainly have the talent and ability within the playing and coaching staff to be able to achieve this.