Calne Town with John Rumming

Please read below for my interview with Calne Town vice chairman John Rumming. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Queens Park Rangers, Chester and many more football clubs.

Calne Town

Calne Town FC

Calne Town Vice Chairman, John Rumming believes the best way to run a lower league club is to have a “hands on” approach. The Western Division One side - otherwise known as “The Lilywhites” - have numerous volunteers to thank for all their hard work to help keep the club running, despite financial constraints.

John is quick to admit that despite the side suffering relegation recently, the major challenge is keeping on top of the club's finances. “After relegation last season we wanted to get straight back up, but football's not always like that. It’s about beg, steal and borrow for us at the moment. We are a close knit club and have to be. Finance will be a major challenge for us into the next five years. We have work to do to keep costs down. Even marker paint for the pitches is going up!”

However, the financial constraints have not stopped John and the directors improving the club. “We have possibly been able to get a freebie via donations and are putting a new shower into the referee’s room.”

It is not only the referee's room that the club would like improved, but also the playing side. John though, is trying to breed some stability on the pitch and watch the players develop together in what is a historic year for the club. “This year is our 125^th anniversary and we want to be able to maintain our position and push on into the future. I’m keen to keep the squad and managerial team together for next season and see them grow and develop together. We want to grow gradually; they are a young bunch and we hope we can build for the future with them involved.”

With the season drawing to a close, Calne have recently announced the End of Season Presentation Night on 7 May at Bremhill View Social Club and it is sure to be an enjoyable night with DJ Drew providing the music.

written by Will Lyon