Behind the scenes at New Bucks
As part of their Staff Spotlight feature, The Bucks have been lifting the lid on the people who make New Bucks Park tick
Ijunior team for the last 10 years, bringing them from U6 ‘s to U16’s. I have also played for a fair few teams but not been involved in any other clubs as such.
BEST THING ABOUT THE CLUB?: The supporters and people at the club, without doubt.
WORST THING: That it’s yellow on the kit, when really it should be amber.
FUNNY STORY: So Joe Doran and I had spoke about getting the pitch renovated for the new season and a company came in on the Monday and levelled it so there was quite a bit of sand in patches.
The company seeded it and then said “In two weeks you’ll notice the difference”.
I went up on the Thursday after work to see how it was going on and as I walked in saw Frank Doran Snr and Ben Roberts wheelbarrowing the last bit of the new sand off it. I ran over and asked what he was doing.
Frank says “The grass will never grow with all that sand on!” I turned around, called Joe Doran and said “You best come up here.” When Joe came up he went mad. Frank just shrugged it off and walked away in typical Frank fashion. Two weeks later we had the most lush grass in the wheelbarrows that still had the sand in while the pitch was full of patches and uneven parts.
WHY DO YOU DO IT?: My dad used to bring me up to watch Bootle when he played, then he got me involved on the committee. I’ve met good friends here and it’s like having another family. I’ve been on the committee now for 10 years and seen how much the club has grown. I want to help in any way i can to meet the ambitions of the club and committee.
AMBITION FOR THE CLUB/ YOURSELF?: I want Bootle FC to be the biggest non-league club in the area and my ambition is to be a part of the success here taking the club forward. The short term aim is too see the club playing in the Northern Premier League.
BEST MEMORIES: Seeing my brother Anthony win the NWCFL 1st Division for the club, watching us win the Liverpool Senior Cup against A.F.C. Liverpool, beating Tranmere at Prenton Park, the season we finished second to Atherton Collieries - we were outstanding that season.
WORST MEMORIES: Losing 5-3 to Barnoldswick Town when we could have wrapped up the league (the hardcore will remember that game), losing to Atherton Collieries on a
Monday night which swung the league in their favour, drawing to Northwich Vics to lose the league on the last day of the season.
MESSAGE FOR EVERYONE: Come and support your local team. Honestly, it’s a fantastic day out if you love football.