Local MP recognises vital Shifnal Town volunteers

Pritchard, of the Wrekin constituency, handed out 15 certificates to volunteers at the NPL West Division outfit and spent the day meeting the staff.

Shifnal finished mid-table last season in their first season at step four since their foundation in 1964, largely thanks to the work of chairman Mike Tranter. 

He said: “Our volunteers are everything from groundsmen, catering, and matchday volunteers, to people that just come along and help on ad hoc days.

“We've got a few old guys now that have been with the club probably 20 to 25 years. They still come along and have a cup of coffee and support the club. 

“With our size, we couldn't afford to pay everyone all the income that comes in. The directors personally pay the wage bill, so every bit of profit we make goes into improving the ground.

“The club's been going there for 25 years, but typically with no volunteers. There were three old guys trying to run it.

“They were going to close the club, and they came knocking on my door and asked if we'd help out. 

“A few years before that, I used to be manager of the club, so I sat down with my directors and said, ‘We don't really want the club to fold. Let's go for it.’

“We've put a lot of time and money into the club. It's thriving now - it's one of the best match experiences you can get on a Saturday for a club like us.”

Tranter, from nearby Telford, was forced to focus on his business pursuits after a fire burned down his company’s machinery factory, but he has successfully driven the club’s recent success.

The Acoustafoam Stadium is one of the most impressive in the division, and the club still have another 80 years left on the lease from Shropshire Council after there was a real danger they would be ousted from it when the board sold it off.

Clubs across Steps 3 and 4 are eager to recruit more volunteers ahead of the new campaign and opportunities across the country are available to view on the Pitching In Volunteer Hub through entering your postcode.

Shifnal are well aware of the value of their volunteer army and club president Peter Bradley said: “There wouldn't be a club without volunteers, that's the top and bottom of it.

“At this level, you've got to provide facilities for the supporters that are coming in as well as the officials from the other team. Maintaining the ground is never-ending.  

“You go to every club at step four or step three. They can't pay everybody, but you get people who are really keen on volunteering. They're keen to do it. Several people have come on board now. They're really keen and hopefully it lasts.”

Find volunteering opportunities near you at https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/