In advance of the new season, I am writing to let you know that I am stepping down from the Board of Directors of Wealdstone Football Club, with immediate effect, to allow me to invest more time purely on growing and developing WFCSC, which of course is independent from the main club.
It has become clear that the expected involvement within the main club is more than myself and the WFCSC committee can commit to currently particularly with the demands of my family and my career outside football. The committee and I will continue to work hard to put on other fundraising events to complement the hugely successful Megastore together with Predict-a-score, 50:50, raffle, Wembley BBQ’s, music evenings and Presentation evening we already provide as well as encouraging fans to use the social club.
I am proud of both the committee’s and my efforts over the last four years culminating in £40k of share purchases to keep, in effect, supporters the 2nd largest individual shareholder, and one of only two holders with more than 10%. We donated £10k towards getting our ‘A’ grading needed for this level on the condition that some of this be used to fund an accessible toilet in the ground making Wealdstone FC more inclusive for those less abled. We have, and continue to, champion supporters coach travel and run this as a non-profit making service and I am pleased that so many new fans have experienced their 1st away game with us.
On top of this, WFCSC have donated funds totalling thousands of pounds through teamdraw prizes, match and kit sponsorships, in addition to helping on matchdays selling programmes or staffing turnstiles.
On a personal note, being part of a club wide team that won promotion to the zenith of non-league will stay with me always. That same season playing an integral part of the team that enabled fans to stream games during the pandemic is exactly the activity that a supporter’s representative should be involved in. Implementing and solely managing the online ticketing system for the benefit of both home and away fans has been fantastic and a credit to the club. However, I will also be relinquishing this and handing this to another director or representative next week. I was also pleased that, after a period of pressure, we were able to give the War Memorial a permanent home in the social club.
We have faced a very challenging time losing the old megastore with no immediate replacement, but I am pleased to say that, whilst negotiations remain ongoing regarding compensation, we have obtained permission from the main club to site a new shop next to the outside bar. Preparation to this area will start in the coming weeks.
The new season will be an exciting one and on paper our biggest season yet and I know that everyone will do everything possible to support Stuart, Matt, and the team. If you think that you want to give something back to your club, please contact any WFCSC committee member in person or via our socials. Whether you can give an hour a week or more, your support is needed.
I look forward to standing with you all on the terraces.
Mark Randall
