Pierpoint makes commercial post his first priority

Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Grantham Town’s new CEO Barrie Pierpoint has started strengthening the club’s backroom team with the appointment of a new commercial director.

Former Leicester City Pierpoint CEO is credited with turning around the financial fortunes of the Foxes and took over at the Premier Division’s Gingerbreads in January. He has handed Keith Horton, pictured, the job of directing all the commercial activity at the Premier Division’s Gingerbreads.

Horton worked with Pierpoint for a number of years previously and has a sporting background having worked in ice skating, helping to build up the national organisation's activities and membership to become self-sustaining. From being a relatively small business, Horton turned it into one with a seven figure turnover.

Horton said: "I have known Barrie since 1994 when I was involved with the Chamber of Commerce in Leicester. Barrie was involved with Leicester City and worked very closely with the Chamber of Commerce to build things at the club. At the time, there was a lot of sporting competition with Leicestershire County Cricket doing well and of course Leicester Tigers. The partnership was successful for the football club.

"I’ll be promoting the club, working with both existing and potential sponsors, alongside Barrie. It is a big job, no doubt, but we want to develop all areas of club activity. Grantham Town should be at the heart of the business community and work hand in glove with the local authority.

"We already know there is a desire to see a successful club. Successful sport in any town gets national notice and interest in the town. It becomes a two-way buzz."

Pierpoint, who describes the commercial opportunities at Grantham as "massive", said: "I welcome having Keith on board in his new role. He will not only bring his successes and experience but will add a further strength to the club's new commercial team, all part of the tide of change at Grantham Town Football Club. All the commercial team's work and success is to provide a stronger playing budget next season for the managers."