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Below is the press release sent to Elvin King this week
Whitton United Welcomes New Chairman
Following the recent AGM the Club announces that ex-professional Ruel Fox has been unanimously appointed as Club Chairman. Fox, who had a previous spell at the Ipswich non-league club as player/manager in 2002, was delighted to be associated with his local team. Speaking after his appointment, Fox stated that it was "almost a dream come true to be appointed Chairman at a club with such a fantastic wealth of history and local support. I agreed to run for Chairman with the clear intention of taking the Club forward in a new direction, and our new Committee has a fresh outlook on the way to achieve the Clubs ambitions."
Whitton has just completed a tumultuous season, with their first foray into the Premier Division of the Eastern Counties League being cut short with the first team unable to fulfil their fixtures after the budget was cut, and so after consultation with the League Committee the first team was withdrawn from the competition. "This must have been a heart wrenching decision that the previous committee had to make, but even though they received many adverse and derisory comments about this decision, it has to be said that decision almost certainly saved the club from folding. My new committee has met with the League Committee, and have assured them that this problem will not occur again, and the Club has new procedures in place to ensure its survival in a very volatile financial situation. The League Committee have expressed their backing for the return of the Club to Division One of the ECL for next season, and I would like to thank them for the patience and help they have shown to one of their member clubs in a difficult time."
One of the major problems that the previous committee had to face was the requirement to re-grade the football ground to a higher level in the Premier League before the end of the playing season. “This requirement added a cost of approximately £20,000 to an already stretched budget” said Fox, “but if we are to re-join the League at Division One then we have a further twelve months to complete the required upgrades. We are all aware on the new committee what is required, and a plan has been drawn up with graduated deadlines to ensure that all the improvements are completed well within the FA deadline. We have been inundated with offers of help, and this aspect is one I have complete confidence in.”
With the demise of the first team mid-way through the last playing season, Whitton lost a large portion of its players to other teams, but Fox said there was no shortage of personnel who have already told him they wish to be at Whitton for the future. "I have lost count of the number of people who have come up to me, or called me, to talk about what they can offer the Club and not just the playing squad either, other people wishing to help out in any capacity have also made their intentions known. It has really opened some peoples’ eyes over the depth of feeling that the Club instils in the local populace, but as a Whitton boy that is nothing new to me. We have appointed Ian Brown as first team manager and Ian will be assisted by Neil Shade. We are also at the final selection stage for the reserves management which will be released shortly. Ian Brown stated that he was delighted to be back involved with Whitton after his recent sabbatical at Ipswich Wanderers, and he would be looking to build the foundations of a side that will develop, nurture and improve the players skills, while giving them pride back in the shirt. Brown was adamant he was ready for the fresh challenge, and the services of the much coveted Neil Shade was a major coupe for the club.
Whitton's reserve team were left to complete their fixtures in their division, and Fox had nothing but praise for the fortitude and devotion that the players, several of whom were from the Under 18’s, and the management team of Neil Page and Martin Smith exhibited. "They all put their heart and soul into every game, and I applaud their efforts. They did the Club proud, especially the 16 & 17 year olds who combined a fantastic season in their own league including the retention of their League Cup with facing up to many elder and experienced players in the reserves league.”
One of the first things on the mind of the new Chairman is to get the family feel back into the Club. “When I was growing up in Whitton, this club was the place to bring your kids to, and I want to bring that aspect back to the Club. We are already looking at different ways to get the local populace of the Whitton, Whitehouse and Castle Hill estates back as supporters. Even though we have a good strong support base, we feel that there is still more we can offer. For instance, last years junior football festival is being repeated, and it is sure to be another resounding success.”
Fox was once on the playing staff at Norwich City, and when asked about his former club smiled and said he wished them every success. With his days involved with the Borough Councils Profile Gym network, and his nights now promised to Whitton United, Fox stated he had no time for any other pastimes. “I’m just a local boy made good, who is honoured and privileged to be in a position to help my local club get back to where it should be.”
Whitton United will be holding an training session on Saturday 27th June, starting at noon. Manager Brown said he was looking forward to seeing plenty of people there, and was throwing it open for everyone to attend, to come along and see the direction that Whitton is aiming for.
Whittons' Youth Football Festival will be held the following day, Sunday 28th June, starting at 10am. At the time of going to press there was just three teams spaces unconfirmed in the Under 8's category, with all other age groups full.
Ian Hart
WUFC Press Officer
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