New Chairman Appointed

Barnstaple Town Football Club would like to announce that Peter Woodhams has been appointed as the new Chairman of the club, Peter is well known in Barnstaple, and has been involved with the club for many years previously. We welcome Peter back to the club, and look forward to moving forward with him at the helm.

Barnstaple Town Football Club have confirmed that we are to continue next season competing in the Evo-Stik Southern League West Division. Following two challenging seasons of Southern League Football members of the club committee made the important decision at a meeting last week.

In a statement to the Press new club Chairman Peter Woodhams said:

We discussed dropping down a couple of levels into the Peninsula League next season but it was felt by the committee that this would be taking the easy option. A great deal of hard work and investment on the ground has been put in over the last 4/5 years not to mention two promotions from the western league to attain our current level of Football. This achievement should not be dismissed lightly and in my view a Town the size of Barnstaple should be able to support a Southern League team. The transition from Western League Football to Southern League Football is quite a step up and we need to be better equipped both on and off the pitch to cope with the higher standards required. We have to become more professional in our activities as a Club at this level.

Mr Woodhams confirmed that Dave Griffiths and Kevin Darch would manage the team next season “Dave and Kevin are local people with a wealth of football experience and took over at an incredibly difficult time last season when former manager Richard Pears resigned. They care passionately about Barnstaple Town FC and deserve the opportunity to continue managing the team. They want success for the club and are under no illusions about the task facing them. They are already making plans to strengthen the squad in readiness for next season.

The meeting was very positive about next season and I think this is a fresh start for the club. We are asking Barnstaple folk to support Dave, Kevin and the team. If they do then there is no reason why we can’t compete at this level.”

The Club has appointed former Town player Richard Edwards as the new Commercial Manager. He said:

“In recent years the club has relied too heavily on the kind generosity of benefactors – this needs to change”. The club is offering sponsorship/advertising opportunities to local companies and is launching the new weekly Barnstaple Town FC Lottery. The lottery is part of the sports club lottery and has a weekly £25,000 jackpot.

“At just £1 per week this is an inexpensive way for everyone to support the club even if you are not a football fan but can recognise the importance of the Football club for the Town – or perhaps you just enjoy a small weekly flutter! Either way all profits from the lottery come straight back to the club.

The club recognises the need to attract more supporters to the Mill Road ground on match days. “We hope to see many more fans supporting the team next season and to this end the club is offering an adult season ticket for just £99 for all home Southern League matches. £60 for concessions. These tickets are available until 30th June.”

We particularly want to see our young fan base grow next season and up to two children under the age of 12, providing they are accompanied by a parent season ticket holder, can gain entry free of charge. Why not remove them from their Xboxes for an afternoons’ fresh air and entertainment all for under a fiver per match!

We also intend that match days next season should be a memorable experience for boys and girls where they can meet and get to know their local team with a pre match warm up on the Mill Road pitch. Other entertainment planned is a half time penalty shoot – out between local youth and school teams.

Barnstable Town FC