Whickham FC enjoyed a fine season this time around, winning promotion to Division One of the Northern League. Football Focus Magazine recently caught up with Club Chairman Paul Taylor to find out more.
FF: How long have you been involved and what first attracted you to the club?
PT: I have been involved with the club for just over eighteen months having been approached to take over the role as Chairman within the club. When I was younger I had the privilege to watch Whickham lift the FA Vase in 1981.
FF: What are the most challenging and rewarding aspects of your role?
PT: The most challenging aspect within my role is to keep the club afloat; the demand within the budget can be difficult i.e. the general running costs within the club. The most rewarding part is seeing the lads playing some great football and the comradery within the whole squad and the commitment of the committee supporting each other through the tough and successful times.
FF: How’s the general mood down at the club at the moment?
PT: The club is absolutely buzzing at the moment due to our promotion into Northern League 1; everyone is already looking forward to the challenge next season. We have had a very good season this year with the club being promoted on the very last game of the season.
FF: What are your plans for the rest of 2018?
PT: Next year we need to build on the success of last season, I know Robin will be looking at the players he will need to succeed in the forthcoming season and as a club we are looking to increase the club’s committee as we need all the help we can get!
FF: How important is youth football to the club?
PT: Youth Football is massive to us; we already have a few youth teams within the club and we would welcome all age groups to get involved going forward. We have a number of under 21’s playing first team football last season and they have brought fresh enthusiasm into the squad and they will play a vital part of the side over the coming years. We are always looking to bring the younger lads through wherever possible.
FF: Would you consider yours to be a community club?
PT: 100%. We welcome all age groups to come and play football and they regularly engage with the 1st team. We offer the teams the chance to become ball boys and join the team coming out on the pitch whenever we have am important game like this season when we played in the FA Vase against Stockton Town.
FF: What do you believe could be some of the biggest challenges the club may face in the coming years?
PT: Our biggest challenge next season will be attracting sponsors as our playing budget will probably double. We need to increase the amount of personnel on the committee which is always difficult. We also have plans to improve our ground with the help of national grants i.e. new flood lights and a secure fence around the ground.
FF: What are the clubs ambitions for the next five years?
PT: The club is very ambitious and we will look to secure our position within League 1 next season and kick on from there. With the support from the local community, our current sponsors, the clubs committee, our management team and most importantly the players I am sure we can drive the club forward over the coming years and build on this season’s success.
To view Issue 79 of Football Focus Magazine, click here