Footballing glory could be a winner for borough
Chairman eyes league football for club as the season kicks off
SOLIHULL Moors chairman Darryl Eales believes success on the pitch could “transform” the town, as the club attempts to break into the Football League.
After two seasons of struggle, Moors were tipped this time last year to nosedive towards relegation from the National League.
But Tim Flowers’ men defied all odds, missing out on the top spot – and automatic promotion – by just three points before losing to Fylde in the play-offs.
Moors have been on an upward curve since Brummie businessman Eales took over 12 months ago.
Alongside fellow investor Calvin Barnett, he has pumped millions of pounds into the squad and on the redevelopment of Damson Park, incorporating new stands, a 3G pitch for community use and other facilities.
And that could be the tip of the iceberg.
“If we got promotion it would be transformational. The scale of the opportunity is absolutely huge,” Eales told the Birmingham Post.
“Just in Solihull itself and the surrounding villages, wherever I go, the awareness of Solihull Moors has grown exponentially.
“Last time it was probably ‘ Who are Solihull Moors?’ But everyone seems to know we had a really
good season. That’s the whole thing about community engagement. Our list of sponsors for this season is absolutely fantastic.
“It’s a bellwether for the interest there is in the club. And I have to say Solihull Council has been fantastically supportive in everything we’re doing with the ground. If we can achieve Football League status it would be fantastic for Solihull itself.
“All you can do is try to do the right things and hope the results end up in the right place.”
Moors formed in 2007 following a merger between Solihull Borough and Moor Green.
The club attracted gates of around 700 people little more than a year ago – but the final two home matches last season drew bumper sell-out gates of 4,000.
But it is not only the team’s success and swashbuckling brand of football that has lured fans and kept them coming back.
“We probably do more in the community than a lot of the big clubs within our area,” said Flowers, a former England international goalkeeper.
“A lot of my lads are out on a weekly basis, going to schools, putting on coaching clinics with young kids and various sessions.
“We pride ourselves on getting out and about and doing that. That’s not going to change, we’re only going to be doing more of that and I think local people buy into our football club. They’ve come down, had a look at what’s on offer, enjoyed it and have come back. That’s why our gates have grown.
“I’m not stupid, people aren’t going to come and watch a losing team. We’ve got some results together and a group of lads who want to meet the fans.”
Capacity at Damson Park will rise from 3,000 to around 5,500 when the works are completed later this month.
The sky really is the limit for Moors, whose new-look ground is within view and earshot of Birmingham Airport. So, is the club really ready for take off?
“It’s a good analogy,” said Eales, who left League One Oxford United to take a chance on Moors.
“At our roots, we have to remain a community club. That’s the foundation.
“Whilst we want to achieve positive progress on the pitch, for me, the only reason you do this is to make it a welcoming place for everyone.
“The reception we’re from people is fantastic moment.
“The quality of the football on the pitch will speak for itself, but there’s a real buzz around the place that’s really positive and we’ve just got to keep that going.” getting at the