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Club’s chairman is looking to the future




SOUTHAM United chairman Mike Davis certainly has plenty going on at the moment. Drainage issues at the club’s Bobby Hancocks Park ground have intensified plans for a 3G pitch, he is continually building links with the community and with the first team low on numbers, he has been known to make a cameo appearance off the bench.

“It’s chaos at times but no more than at any football club at this level,” he explained after doing his bit for the team in a recent Hellenic League Division One game against Abingdon United.

“I was managing a club in China and when Covid happened I came back to the UK. I was missing football so I came here to rescue what was a dying academy. I was helping out behind the scenes and the chairman’s role was offered to me.

Southam Utd’s ground, Bobby Hancocks Park. Photo: Mark Williamson
Southam Utd’s ground, Bobby Hancocks Park. Photo: Mark Williamson

“We have gone from not having our own pitch and playing out of a college with three people at a game to having a ground and bar which is used by those living around here. The facilities at the club have been developed so that the community can use the place as a hub allowing them to have their birthdays and other events here.

“The venue is quite a bit bigger than those of other clubs in step six football which means the overheads are greater but that means we have to look beyond football. We have local businesses that operate from here and put on everything from one-to-one coaching and kick-boxing classes to children’s parties.

“The one thing I’ve found is that the outgoings have nearly tripled in the past three years and the financing of teams has gone crazy. There are also teams playing at our level with a budget of £3,500 a week! We operate without a budget and my sole aim and goal at Southam United is to maintain the sustainability of the football club so that if I or any of the investors or sponsors walk away then it is still sustainable. That has been my driving force.”

Those finances were hit last season when Southam United were forced to postpone numerous games due to flooding issues which coincided with work on HS2 taking place next to the ground.

David added: “We are in the process of trying to get a 3G pitch and if we can get that it will mean we can invite schools down to do sports days and really branch out. At the moment, the pitch is a bit of a stumbling block.

HS2 works next to the Southam United’s ground. Photo: Mark Williamson
HS2 works next to the Southam United’s ground. Photo: Mark Williamson

“The building of HS2 has killed us. It has affected the draining and that has led to a loss of earnings of around £28,000 last year which, for a club of this size, is a substantial amount. That was due to games and rentals being cancelled along with fines from the league for the pitch not being in the correct condition.

“I am trying to build a working relationship with HS2 but at the moment, all the funding needed for the plans for the pitch has been funded through myself and sponsors. We have had no grants, no Lottery funding or FA funding but our pockets are only so deep.”

Davis has just appointed Brian Allton as new first team manager following the departure of Kev Burke and the chairman is also looking to the future of the club.

“It is important that we develop local players and we have just established a reserve squad built around local lads, some of whom have broken into the first team.

“Part of our five-year plan was to put in an u14 MJPL team so that in five years time they will be the right age for the first team. They have open access to the place and in effect are our apprentices, helping out with the food and around the club.”

Southam Utd supporters. Photo: Mark Williamson
Southam Utd supporters. Photo: Mark Williamson


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