A non-league football team in Leicestershire has its future in doubt following the resignation of its chairman and the men’s first team’s exit from the league. The men’s first team of Coalville Town Football Club, known as The Ravens, announced today, Friday, May 24, that they would be leaving the Southern League Central Premier Division, which is the third tier of the English non-league pyramid.
Glyn Rennocks, the club’s longtime chairman, also declared his resignation from his position at the almost century-old institution. Mr. Rennocks declared that because the club’s operating expenses had “spiralled” and his income “had not matched the rise in costs,” he could “no longer continue to subsidise the club.”
In addition to continuing “as normal,” Mr. Rennocks stated that the women’s, girls’, juniors’, inclusive, and youth teams would “benefit from the fantastic facilities at the Owen St Sports Ground that have been created over the last few years.” According to Mr. Rennocks, Coalville Town supports nearly 900 local children through 90 junior teams.
The Ravens’ recent achievements include defeating Notts County and making an incredible run to the FA Cup first round in 2022. That year, they were ultimately defeated by Charlton Athletic.
“I have always said I am a supporter and it just costs me a lot more than most to go to matches,” Mr. Rennocks stated in a statement posted on the club’s website. But as I get closer to 70, I will be unable to support the club in this way.
“I have always managed it sustainably, never slashed spending, and the club is debt-free, but after giving it serious thought and consulting with others, I have decided to step down. The team will leave the Southern League and withdraw its senior men’s squad.
There is no other choice, so I’m sure this will disappoint a lot of people—including myself, I’m sure. In addition to the financial burden, a small group of people—me, Steve Cartwright, my wife Joy, and my son Luke—are responsible for managing the club.
“Although we have an amazing team of volunteers on game days, the four of us must devote a significant amount of time every day, and that cannot go on. Throughout my employment, I have contributed more than £140,000 in director loans to the football team to assist with its infrastructure; I will never be able to get this money back, nor would I want to, but I also detest to consider what this sum would look like.
“As previously stated, I am not getting any younger, and at this time, I would prefer to devote my time and energy to my family, especially my two- and three-year-old granddaughters. Retirement from the workforce also beckons.” Coalville has agonisingly narrowly missed promotion to the National League North in recent years.
The team fell to Peterborough Sports 2-0 in the league play-off final in 2022. They missed out on automatic promotion by three goals the year before, and they were eliminated in the first round of the playoffs.
The club has served as a “true focal point for the town and local community,” according to Mr. Rennocks. “I got involved with the club in the early 1980s when we were in the nearby,” the man stated.
“The club was actually a pub team at the time. The club has advanced over the ensuing forty years without ever being relegated. More than all of our on-field accomplishments, though, include becoming a true hub for the town and surrounding community. Along the way, we have experienced promotions, FA & FA Trophy Cup Runs, and becoming the first Leicestershire club to play at the new Wembley Stadium.
“The expenses of operating a football team at this level have skyrocketed over the last two to three years, and revenue growth has not kept up with the rising costs. Additionally, we have not received the same level of support from North West Leicestershire District Council as we once did.”
According to his statement, the club’s and his relationship with the council had recently deteriorated, and he felt that he was the target of “scrutiny” on an unprecedented scale. “I feel this is totally unwarranted given the positive impact that the club and I have had on the town,” Mr. Rennocks stated. “Through our 90 junior teams, we have provided almost 900 local children with football coaching in a safe and healthy environment, and our success has garnered national attention, so we feel that this is totally unnecessary.”
“Lastly I would like to thank all the great players who have represented the club, the managers, Lee Harriman, Tommy Brookbanks and Adam Stevens who have all delivered unwavering success and helped make the journey enjoyable most of the time, the volunteers which no club can function without, the magnificent supporters who have followed us up and down the country, to Adams Park, Meadow Lane, Wembley Stadium and The Valley,” he said. It has received a tonne of appreciation.
“However, the people I have done this for are the core supporters who have stood by me on chilly winter’s evenings in the Southern League, the Northern Premier League, the Midland Alliance, and the Leicestershire Senior League. I sincerely thank each and every one of you.” Even though I know this news will come as a huge shock, I hope that one day everyone will accept and understand the decision that was made. I’m grateful.
“We would like to thank Glyn for his many years of contribution to the Coalville community through his role as Chairman of Coalville Town FC,” stated Paul Stone, director of resources at the North West Leicestershire District Council. “We commit to continuing our work with the club in supporting health and wellbeing for the town.” We are having to examine our budgets very carefully in an attempt to close a projected £4 million deficit, as are councils across the nation.
Therefore, during this year’s budget-setting process, council members decided to decrease our grant to several organisations, including Coalville Town FC. In light of the challenging financial environment, maintaining our own services for our residents that we need to propose changes like this.”
