CLUB STATEMENT
New Football Chairman for Tooting and Mitcham United FC
John O’Connor (JOC) has decided to step down from the Chairman’s role due to work commitments, with Phil Nightingale taking up the role with immediate effect.
John took up the role for the season just completed having been Assistant Manager the season before. John helped build a really positive feeling around the club and has been immensely popular with supporters at the club. Unfortunately, John’s full-time job has meant a lot of travelling and time away from home in recent months which means it is no longer viable for him to continue as Chairman.
Club owner, Steve Adkins, has now appointed Phil Nightingale to take on the Chairman role with immediate effect. Phil is well known amongst fans being an integral part of the ground maintenance team, pre-match stadium setup and also having served as Members Club Director.
Phil said “I was very surprised and honoured to get the call from Steve and had a few chats with trusted folk for their views before deciding. It won’t be easy to fill JOC’s boots but I decided to give it a go. I’ve agreed to take the role on for a year with the aim of building a base that can be moved forward by a new appointment for the 26/27 season. I’m not a great one for social media but happy to chat on match days and hear the view from the terraces. I can’t promise to deal with everything that comes my way but will listen objectively. I understand that many folk prefer to concentrate on first team activity but I’m also very keen to try to raise the profile of our other squads and the work that Ashley, Dan, Tony and everyone associated with our younger players undertake.”
I’m looking forward to working with everyone down at the club and will still be doing the pre-match ‘fox poo patrol’ and net checks!”
Outgoing Chairman, John, said:
“I’m sad to say that unfortunately, I will be stepping down as Chairman of T&M after just 1 year due to work commitments.
I will leave knowing, seeing & feeling an amazing cultural change around the club, with so many positives. I’d like to thank everyone for their support during my time in the role, and sorry i couldn’t give more than I wanted to.
The main aim I wanted during my time was to inject positivity and passion into the culture of this amazing club and ensure both manager Jamie and his squad felt those changes and help them transcend that onto the playing field, because a football club should be about fun on and off the pitch for everyone, a place people can enjoy and look forward coming to.
I want to wish everyone at T&M all the best and I will see you at games in the future.
Up The Terrors!”
Steve Adkins said “I am very grateful for the work that John had done to help bring a new positivity to the club and for the support he had given Jamie during the year. I am confident that Phil will continue to build on this work as we move into an important period of rebuilding the club after some difficult years.”
We wish Phil every success in his new role and thank John immensely for all his work at the club.
Tooting and Mitcham United Football Club