Ashby Ivanhoe FC

Please read below for my interview with Ashby Ivanhoe General Manager Charlie Tissington. It was published in the latest Football Focus magazine which can be viewed here for absolutely free! Included in the current issue are Deveronvale, Leith Athletic and many more football clubs.

Ashby Ivanhoe

After an overwhelmingly successful season, Football Focus was delighted to catch up with Charlie Tissington, General Manager of Leicestershire side, Ashby Ivanhoe. The club, founded in 1948, won the Everards Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division for the first time in their history last season and Charlie was very happy to finish a sizeable nine points ahead of any other team. “It has been a fantastic season winning the Everards Leicestershire Senior League Premier Division for the first time. It’s probably been our highest achievement yet, and then rounding it off with a win in the Coalville Charity Cup Final.”

Hood Park - The home of Ashby Ivanhoe

However, Ashby have plenty of ambition and as Charlie explains, they are seeking an even more successful campaign next season. “We hope to try and emulate our neighbours Coalville Town who reached the FA Vase Final this year. We went out in the second qualifying round this season. Next season will be a bigger challenge and hopefully we will add to the current talented squad to improve in the areas that need bolstering.”

With the Ashby first team flying high, Charlie can focus more attention on youth development at the club, but he is pleased to announce that it already produces a few gems for the senior side. “Youth development is very important at the club with ex professional David Hunt, whose clubs included Derby County, Aston Villa and Notts County, taking up the Youth Development Manager role in 2008. The club now has sides ranging from nine years to eighteen year old through to adult football. The club formed an under 18's side in 2008 which has already produced three players that are regulars with the first team.”

Despite the recent success stories and an award commending the warm atmosphere at the club’s ground, Hood Park, Charlie knows the facilities must be improved if the club is to be allowed to progress further up the pyramid structure in English football and to compete in the prestigious FA Cup. “Last season we were awarded the Hospitality Ground Award from the league, but to progress up the pyramid system, we are looking to improve the facilities. Our first target is to get to the MFA at level five and then to play in the FA Cup.”

written by Will Lyon