New chairman is on a mission

New chairman Terry Barratt, pictured, says building a modern and commercially successful competition, together with much closer bonds between league and its member clubs, are his number one priorities.

The Hitchin chairman, who succeeded Ken Turner at the helm of one of the nation's oldest and proudest competition’s in June after his election at the EVO-STIK League Southern’s AGM in Torquay, is determined to make a difference and to do it quickly.

Improving communication and engagement top Barratt’s to do list and with the backing of the EVO-STIK League Southern’s board, the official website has already been relaunched on a modern multi-media platform.

In a message to fans, players and officials via its pages on Thursday, the chairman said: "I am thrilled and privileged to be given this opportunity. The EVO-STIK Southern League is a wonderful competition and together we can and will make it even stronger.

"There is a lot to be said for history and tradition but we need to look forward now in a modern and changing world. The challenge set is to improve things for everyone for loves this league and to make it great again."

Barratt also promises that clubs will have a real voice in the running of their league from now with a new emphasis on the need for greater transparency and openness.

He added: “I want our clubs to be far more involved in the running of the league and we want a far greater input from all of them. In the past we have had regional meetings where people are talked at.

“That will change as there are great challenges ahead and a lot or work to be done. To be successful and meet those challenges we need to listen to our clubs and we will.”