Hardwick Football Club is in danger of folding

This letter is similar to one I wrote about this time last year. I shall be standing down as Chairman and Treasurer of Hardwick Football Club at the end of this season, and this time I really will. Having given thirty years of service to the club – formerly as a player and latterly as Chairman – other commitments mean I can no longer give the club the time it needs.

I think it is important that someone based in Hardwick takes on this role. The football club is a community asset and should be led by someone in the community. In my view, it is only possible to take the views of residents and support the club properly if you are based in the village. I have found that trying to do that remotely is very challenging.

If no-one steps forward to take on these two important roles of Chairman and Treasurer the club will not be able to enter teams into competitions next year. This would be a real shame because with a first team pushing for their first ever Kershaw Premier League title – which would be an amazing achievement for a village of Hardwick’s size – and a Reserve team in Senior B the club is a well established member of the local league and is doing well.

I truly hope that someone will step forward to ensure the community retains one of its key assets. Having already lost Saturday cricket for adults it would be another blow to lose the Saturday football as well.

Please contact me directly if you are interested. The AGM will be held in June and if no one has come forward we will address the future of the club at that meeting. I cannot stress enough that if no one comes forward the village will lose its adult football club.

Steve Chamberlain

steve@thechamberlainfamily.co.uk