Volunteers form the backbone of non-league football teams up and down the country. From programme sellers to board members, at Horsham Football Club, many sacrifice their free time every week to help keep their club running on and off the pitch.
On a sunny spring afternoon, nearly 3,000 supporters filtered through the turnstiles at the Fusion Aviation Community stadium in West Sussex to watch Horsham take on local rivals Dorking Wanderers in the National League South.
Behind the scenes, people have already been working hard for hours. The catering staff prepare food and drink for the onrush of hungry and thirsty fans, whilst media teams and club officials set up their equipment and make their final checks before supporters arrive.
Across non-league football, the grassroots of the beautiful game, volunteers give up valuable hours from their busy schedules to take on pivotal roles for their local clubs. Driven by their true passion for the sport, they are dedicated, committed members who consistently work around the clock to ensure their clubs function at the highest level.
At Horsham FC, volunteering is about the community as much as it is about football.
In his role as Development Director at Horsham, Matt Ide has seen first-hand the importance of volunteers in non-league football over the years.
“It’s absolutely critical, it’s fundamental for clubs like ours to have volunteers. We rely on them 100%. Without them, I don’t think we would really be able to survive,” said Ide.
“It’s not just on match days, but also day to day. There is a lot that goes on behind the scenes that is not super visible to people.”
Horsham has seen a remarkable rise in recent years, with three promotions in eight years, culminating in the Hornets playing in the National League South, the highest level ever in their 145-year history. This success has led to attendance more than doubling, and the demand for volunteers is increasing.
“When the new ground was built eight years ago, it was built for 500 people. We’re now getting an average of about 1,400 people per home game this season, so if we had to pay for all the roles we have on a matchday, it would be a real struggle,” stated Ide.
“We’ve got different factions that help out, hospitality, media, maintenance. Everyone’s passionate. It’s great to see there are so many people invested in the club.”
For many, Horsham Football Club is seen as a fundamental part of the local community. According to Chris Holmes, who volunteers as Supporter and Community Liaison Officer, the club represents more than just football.
“One of the biggest things that drives me as a volunteer is a sense of involvement and a sense of belonging,” said Holmes.
“To have a connection with so many people and allow them to feel good and important whenever they come to watch, that’s my favourite part.”
Holmes explained he has been a supporter since 2006 and, in 2019, decided to get more involved in the club by joining the volunteers, adding: “I joined to give something back to the football club. They had given me plenty simply by being in existence and me going to watch as a fan… I want to ensure the fans are getting the best possible matchday experience.”
When asked about his favourite moment since being involved with Horsham, his eyes light up with joy.
“Without doubt going to Barnsley and watching Tom Richards score the equaliser to make it 3-3 in the FA Cup… before it was Arsenal winning the league in 1989 at Anfield, but that has been superseded by this moment because of how entrenched in the football club I am now,” Holmes said, smiling as he re-lived the moment.
Whilst a lot of the responsibilities are upheld on match days, volunteers are instrumental in running the club behind the scenes. As Youth and Women’s team Secretary, Martin Pelosi helps to organise and develop the youth football and women’s setup at Horsham.
“For me, to do something as simple and effective as allowing hundreds of kids to play football and enjoy themselves is so rewarding,” said Pelosi.
“Helping in setting up the women’s team and seeing them progress and enter a prestigious competition like the FA Cup, it is amazing to see.”
Martin, who has a ten-year history of voluntary work in sporting events, like the 2012 London Olympics, acknowledged the impact volunteering can have not only on the institution but on the person themselves.
“Volunteering should never be underestimated as a career option,” added Pelosi
“It can give you more benefits than you could ever imagine.
“People take pride in their volunteering role. The work ethic is likely to be better because people work for the love of what they are a part of, rather than paid employees who do it as a job.”
One of the issues facing non-League football clubs is funding and finance. Unlike clubs in the Premier League and higher divisions, non-league clubs do not benefit from guaranteed TV revenue and multi-millionaire owners. Therefore, voluntary staff are now more important than ever.
A survey conducted by Net World Sports and Forza reported 45% of clubs depend on just 11-15 volunteers, with only three out of ten using 15 or more.
Ide echoed the sentiment that more people should get involved: “We need more volunteers for sure, because we’re a growing club,” he stated.
“We’ve got the old cohort who have been involved for years, but we need to get the younger supporters involved because they are the future.”
“I think the Premier League and the Championship is expensive and it can feel quite detached. Where here it’s much more community-based, it’s sociable, and everyone loves to be involved.”
Matt, Chris, and Martin, among others, epitomise the selfless act of voluntary work that goes unseen but remains at the heart and soul of clubs like Horsham. Their tireless efforts, brought out of authentic passion rather than personal gain, power the engine of the club so they can continue to serve their local community.