Leatherhead
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Leatherhead
FOOTBALL CLUB
F
irst established in 1907, Leatherhead FC is based at Fetcham Grove on
Guildford Road in Surrey and their first team currently competes in the
Premier Division of the Isthmian League. Football Focus Magazine recently caught
up with Head of Media Alfie Gates to find out more about the club.
The Role
He starting by telling us about his role
at the club, saying, “I love communicating
with people and that’s why I present
our club channel called ‘Tanners Tv’ but
I always aspire to build relationships
with fans, players and the press team.
The hardest aspects would have to be
structuring the press team as we have
15 or so press members doing a variety
of jobs so you can imagine what it’s
like before the match trying to organise
it all but at the end of the day you’re
always congratulated by Duncan Evans
(Director) and Chairman, Richard Brady
so it’s not as bad as it seems! On a serious
note though I have people like Harvey
Keogh, Tom Redrup, Simon Keogh, Adam
Norton, Asa Johnson, Alex Kent and
Jake Mehdawi all working their absolute
hardest in my press team and I can’t thank
them enough.”
Atmosphere
“The mood is one of the best in this
league despite not winning anything this
season, I believe the fans have trust in me
with the press team and love the fact we
have so much more info about the club
available to see and listen too.
A lot of people say to me that I’ve
brought the committee (Board), Players/
Management team and the fans together
by making things like Tanners TV. The
only problem I have is when people say
46 Issue 71
‘Alright Alfie’ and of course they see me
each day on Tanners TV and get to know
me however I never know quite who they
are!”
The Season
“I would honestly say it’s the best
season ever for Leatherhead FC off
the pitch, meanwhile on the pitch, no
it hasn’t gone the way some would’ve
thought it would. But when you have a
managerial change early in the season
it’s always hard and when Jimmy came
in everyone put pressure on him but
we’ve got to remember that’s his first ever
management in football so I think he’s
done extraordinarily well to keep the club
up this season.”
2017
“We have lots of plans, especially with
the local community; we’re striving to
get more involved with the surrounding
area but on the pitch they’ll be a few
departures and a few signings for definite.
Meanwhile the board are working their
socks off to make sure the sharing of
the pitch next season with Kingstonian
benefits everyone at Leatherhead.”
Youth
“Youth Football is vital for the club;
we’re always promoting the fact that
people can come on trial whatever age
you are. Our Academy has been massively
successful this season after our U21s