Firstly, I’d like to place on record my thanks to Paul Maitland for his time as Chairman and for the huge contribution he has made to the club over the years. I first started working with Paul over 12 years ago when he joined Jason to help with coaching, and since then it has been fantastic to see his deep understanding of the club and the way he has always supported its values and direction as his roles within the club acting as CEO and then Chair to oversee it’s security in 2022. I know that as much as Paul has stepped back he will be at the end of the phone on a regular basis and will still help to drive the club forward.
Obviously, at this time we face an unprecedented challenge, and we believe that the appointment of manager Steve Claridge is 100% the right way to help us get through this stage and start to rebuild the club back to where it needs to be. Already Steve has been working to make these changes and we are fully supportive of him and his ability to deliver what is needed.
As a Board we need to learn from the mistakes we have made in the past. His appointment is crucial and his experience and character, as well as his industrious work ethic will help guide things on the pitch.
Several times over the past week, the phrase “Sleeping Giant” has been mentioned. I know this personally, having been involved with the club for 13.5 years. We know what we are capable of, and we also know that nothing comes easily. But at some point, we must change how we work off the pitch. The volunteers in this club are amazing but we need to be joined up in how we work together especially if we are to start waking this Sleeping Giant.
As a club, we believe we belong in the National South. However, results don’t lie, and unfortunately we are where we currently are. This rebuild will not be a quick fix for just this season. Off the pitch, working together is what will drive us forward — to rebuild into a National South club that can sustain itself, and in the longer term, to create a team and a structure capable of pushing us back into the National League and staying there.
Football should be enjoyable, and for those around us giving their time should feel rewarding. Everyone involved does this for the love of the club. Like many of the clubs around us, it is our fan base and the volunteers that makes us who we are.
The spirit of working together drives us forward, bringing in fresh creative ideas is key. We need to foster an environment when supporters feel getting involved with the club adds more to us and makes us bigger as a whole. That, for me, is the most important thing I want to see us achieve. I believe it will be the change that makes a lasting difference, and one the one thing I want to build as time as Chair
Ralph Ricardo
WFC Chairman
