Winterton Rangers
Koolsport Northern Counties East League side Winterton Rangers have just finished 6th in the Division and stormed to the Presidents Cup with an impressive display against Arnold Town. However, to limit their profile just to footballing aspects would be entirely missing the point on this occasion.
After I arrived at their splendid West Street home in the North Lincolnshire village and spoke to those involved, it reminded why I get so enthused about the lower level game in England. Winterton are a first rate neighbourhood club.
Out of the car, I was shown the pitch and surrounds by Brian Crowder, their Publicity Officer and Son of Chairman, Dave Crowder. He began, “We are tied in with Winterton comprehensive school just next to us, and they use the ground and facilities. We also have a links with Hull City, Grimsby and Scunthorpe who often take part in pre season games. Our good link with Hull began about four years ago after they saw the standard of our pitch. We then negotiated a deal whereby they bring their under 19’s here. They also always bring their first team squad once a year which obviously helps us financially and raises the profile of the club. It’s been a good partnership and works for both of us.
My Dad started here in 2002.Previously he was Chairman at Brigg Town when they won the league and the FA Vase. We ended up leaving there and were asked by a guy on the Northern Counties committee to talk to the people involved here because there was a small group of people who were battling to keep the place afloat. Dad, I and another five of us came here and saw potential in the place. With the people already involved, who were very committed we started to put the place back on the map. We had the fantastic pitch which you can see, but other aspects needed work.
We chose to turn it into a proper football ground and tied the clubhouse in with the pitch and worked on the changing rooms, kitchen and then moved on from there. We took advantage of the Football Stadium Improvement fund. They have been very good and generous. We tried to do things correctly and so went for cantilever stands, and have floodlights which are at a conference standard. We are trying to be as saleable as we can be.
We are trying to sell the club as an individual asset. Although we are a club, we are also trying to make it a place for functions. We’ve also just changed from a Committee to a Directorship to try and secure the club and surrounds for the future. Positively, we have gone into partnership with disabled groups who use the clubhouse regularly. We are also trying to get involved with the council and other local clubs. There isn’t another building like ours in the village and we want to offer it to our local community.”
After a walk around the ground, I was taken into the kitchen area where I met Alf Smith, the clubs Treasurer. “I joined in 1965 as a player and it wasn’t long before I was on the committee. I was treasurer within a year after that. Football has changed and the structure has changed, the standards and requirements set out for clubs to meet means it’s not the same world.
I would say the 1971 side was the best football team we have had here. Later in the 70’s we had some more good success. The club has progressed gradually. Early on we had no grants and stadia funds. Those involved were all volunteers who had to go out and earn every penny and build the place virtually themselves. The last 7 years has seen a superb period and we have plans to do more.
We think we are a little bit different here and have a bit more passion than most places. We have a firm commitment and Dave puts lots of effort into funding our projects. To sustain the building and facility we had to open up, which we have. We are a community interest club, limited by guarantee. There are very few football clubs who own everything, like we do, and provide everything like we do on a voluntary basis.
If you don’t put your hand in your pocket to keep the place going, you are not considered the right sort of person to be here. I think those involved take pride in the place and that’s what it’s all about.”
Leaving Alf, Brian took me into the main clubhouse area. It’s clear that a huge amount of time, love and dedication has been put in to raise it to the standard it is currently at today. Several changes in layout have led to an open plan design, thoughtful of access points and wonderfully suited for functions.
After leaving the ground, I caught up with Chairman, Dave Crowder on the telephone. Delighted with the progress the club has made, he also sent a precautionary warning to the football authorities on funding within the pyramid structure. He added, “As I got the grants and altered the place, I took lots of pictures to remind myself what we have done in such a short space of time. It’s been a remarkable effort by everyone involved. We have built things up in phases into the lovely facility we have today. I learned lots of things at Brigg and brought those to Winterton.
Winterton is very lucky to have a ground as it does for the size of the place, but I do think the football authorities have to have a look and see what’s happening at grass roots level in England. If they are not careful, they will see more clubs fold. I think the loan system is killing local talent as it doesn’t allow local players to flourish. I’d like more support for clubs at our level, let us set the academies up and let us help ourselves with our junior sections. The majority of cash goes to the big boys, and there is a limit to how many voluntary hours you can put into something. We struggle to develop talent because the money is not there. In fact, we are discouraged to have reserves or a junior set up because we don’t get the financial support. I think there should be more support for the lower end of the pyramid. I feel the window of opportunity for youngsters to develop into players of tomorrow is not as good as it used to be.”