Bosham
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Image courtesy of Simon Roe Photography
Our u16’s have also had success this
season in winning the Arun & Chichester
Youth League ‘C’ Division. The likes of
Harry Spicer, Tommy Veness and Harry
Lidster for the under 18’s stepping up
to the reserves is the progress we need
long term. Having youth teams doesn’t
just build a side for the future, but it’s the
interest behind the scenes – the volunteers
– that are just as important.
FF: What do you think has been behind
your success?
72 Issue 71
SJ: On field ambition would
be to retain the Division Two title,
and have another good go at the Sussex
FA Intermediate Cup – one competition
Kate Shemilt,
SJ: Engaging local businesses and
making our club a compelling one for
them to back is essential to keeping
us sustainable as a voluntary run
organisation, particularly in the winter
months when we may lose the odd game
to the bad weather with our bar the main
source of match day revenue. This season
we’ve had 27 separate local companies
partner with us, which is a club record
– all taking out various packages from
kit or match day sponsorship through to
perimeter advertising boards, a page in
our award-winning programme or banner
on our website (www.boshamfc.co.uk).
Chi
We’re quite active on social media
ch
es
and
the awareness we create
te
within our village of the club’s
r
success whether that be on the
pitch or gaining grants, all
helps drive local interest
– our final home game
of the season against
neighbours Sidlesham
saw a crowd of 135
which was a season’s
best. Lifting the cup
that day was not only
great for us as a club,
but our village too.
This summer we
are also excited about
our first summer youth
six-a-side
tournament
and introducing a new
u13’s side. Being a village
side, having the ability to
prospect for our future is really
important, and we’ve developed
some really good players down the
years, such as Toby Pointing who is now
in the Ryman Premier with Burgess Hill
FF: What are your aims for
the summer and next season?
f
sy o
e
t
ur
co
FF: Could you tell us about some of
the work you’ve been doing in the
community lately?
SJ: I think there’s a mixture of things
really – we’ve worked hard to build
a name as a friendly, well run local
grassroots club, and I think people
recognise our efforts behind the scenes;
it helps attract people to the club, and
encourages those who are already
here to stay loyal.
ge
If you look at the first team
squad, the core hasn’t really
changed too much in four
or five years – maybe
longer. We’re blessed
with a top management
team of Andy Probee,
Neil
Redman
and
former Bognor Regis
Town coach, Grahame
Vick,
who
have
brought a lot of on-
field success to the club,
winning four trophies
in the last four years.
that we have never won, having made the
semi-final this season.
We’re also introducing a new u13’s
side for the start of 2017/18, so will be
holding trials for that, and a summer
youth six-a-side tournament at Chichester
High School on July 22-23. Off the pitch it
never really stops, with the end of season
presentation coming up, trophies to
organise, then there’s pitch overseeding
and top-dressing, pre-season friendlies,
affiliations, insurances, rent, kit purchase,
advertiser renewals, a spring clean of the
clubhouse and before you know it, we’re
up and running again!