Vanarama Volunteers Of The Month

Vanarama National League

John Lee and Rob Smith- Eastleigh

John Lee and Rob Smith of Eastleigh have won Volunteer of the Month for February in the Vanarama National League.

John and Rob spend many hours at the club doing all manner of necessary tasks.

John’s (pictured left) work mainly revolves around the playing side of the football club. He cleans the changing rooms and washes the kits for players ahead of match day. John is also responsible for preparing equipment before trips for away matches.

Rob (pictured right) works full time hours for free, covering all general repairs and maintenance around the ground and taking on projects, from handling the turnstiles to managing the tea huts.

The club were unable to split them and feel they both deserve recognition for the efforts they put in and the money they save the club.

Vanarama National League North

Dave Clayton- Tamworth

Dave Clayton of Tamworth has won February’s Volunteer of the Month for the Vanarama National League North.

Dave’s main role with the club is handling the match day press duties. This season alone he has recruited and mentored a small team of fellow volunteers to increase the cub’s media output on radio and online, including full match commentary on all fixtures, home and away.

While leading a partnership with Tamworth Foodbank to encourage donations, Dave has also helped club officials to complete a bid for grant support for relaunching the junior fan club and engagement with disability groups who cannot physically attend games.

As Club Treasurer, Dave has been the driving force behind innovations and ideas to raise money and increase the club’s profile.

Vanarama National League South

Les and Lesley Rance- Hampton & Richmond Borough

Les and Lesley Rance of Hampton & Richmond Borough have won February’s Volunteer of the Month for the Vanarama National League South.

Les and Lesley both retired last summer and have since devoted a large part of their time to the club.

Lesley (pictured right) helps with community liaison; visiting local organisations, such as schools, to strengthen ties within the community. This includes arranging for parties of youngsters to experience a match day at the club, where she can then be found on the turnstiles.

Husband, Les (pictured left) is equally recognisable as he will be at the main gate, welcoming players, officials and any visitors. In addition, he has the role of Deputy Safety Officer, where Les can be found on match days setting up the ground with barriers, signage and clearing any obstructions.

On non-match days, they spend more time at the club emptying rubbish, tidying up and tending the garden areas by the car park and Les keeps the fixture signs updated too. He is also the club’s historian.