News & EventsLatest NewsCalendar
Whos who at Sutton Coldfield Town FC - The Directors - Dick Elston

Whos who at Sutton Coldfield Town FC - The Directors - Dick Elston

Alexander Moloney6 Jun 2019 - 11:39
Share via
FacebookTwitter
https://www.sctfc.com/news/who

Mark Sanders gets to know the Directors at SCTFC

During the summer each week we will be giving an insight into the Directors at SCTFC who help keep the club running. Mark Sanders kindly prepared a questionnaire for them all to fill out and send back to be shared with all.

This week we meet Director and match day Secretary - Dick Elston

1 How long have you been associated with Sutton Coldfield Town?

Only for about the last 5 years or so – I’m not a Sutton local but live in Lichfield.

2 How did you become involved with Sutton?

I was part of a walking group that Chairman Nick was involved in and it became clear that I was football (and other sports) mad, I had recently given up some things I had been doing and he invited me to Coles Lane and I was hooked from the first game.

3 Can you remember your first game? If so, which one was it?

Not at Sutton, but the first game I was ever taken to was in 1955 when I watched Derby County v Preston North End.

4 What is your role at the club?

Director and, currently, Match Secretary

5 What are your typical match day duties?

For away games I usually take the kit and the dressing room sound system and I am invariably the first person from our club to get there. In that way I can pass back any travel info but also act as a liaison with the club we are visiting and deal with any issues that may arise.

If I was early I used to put the kit out in the away dressing room, but as I didn’t use the “Toothy” method I was encouraged to stop (he is very particular about that and all aspects of preparation – which is a good thing as the squad know exactly what they should be doing).

Preparation for fixtures starts well before Match Day as I send out confirmation details to visiting clubs and receive the details from teams we are visiting. Details include playing strip colours, directions, Officials for the games, squad profiles and possible team, Club History for programmes. Details of Club Officials travelling, travel and parking arrangements. On the day we complete Team Sheets, meet and pass team details to the Officials and opposing Secretary and generally act as a liaison with the Officials and Opponents. For home games text the result to the league with scorers by 5.00pm at the latest (fines for late reports) for Cup games pass on the same information to the FA and Press Association. Get the referees report for yellow and red cards and then fill in a formal match report sheet and send it by email to the league and, for cup games, the FA.
It's a lot of paperwork and there are deadlines for it all.

6 Do you support any other league clubs?

I have been a Derby County fan all my life and for many years me and my family had season tickets, but had to stop going when I was working away from home a lot. Seen them win 2 titles, play Real Madrid and Juventus, been to 3 play-off finals (not talking about the last one).

7 What is the best game you have seen at Sutton, or your best moment?

The best footballing game I’ve seen was this seasons play off semi at Bromsgrove – an amazing performance. The best moment was the away game at Workington Town FC when we saved ourselves in the last game of the season with a 0 – 0 draw needing to better Corby’s result when they lost. The defining moment was goal keeper James Wren’s fantastic save in the 90th minute.

Worst moment: Losing to Ilkeston Town (my home town) when they were already relegated and about to go bust.

8 What is your favourite film?

No real favourite, but I like action and good bit of blood and guts.

9 What are your hobbies other than football?

Most team sports – I’ve played quite a bit of cricket, walking and travelling – as my wife was a teacher all of her working life (much of it in Walmley) we only had school holiday time for our holidays so now we are making up for it.

Best place ever visited: The Antarctic in January 2018 – got a good photo of me on the ice waving my Sutton scarf.

10 What are your hopes for the coming season?

Good league place (at least a play off berth) and a decent run in either the FA Cup or Trophy and……………. Derby getting back to the Premier League

11 What improvements would you like to see at the ground?

Not sure, being on the Board I tend to know how much improvements cost. The dressing rooms need a bit of an upgrade.

12 Who has been the best player you have seen over the years?

For Sutton, not sure as we were struggling a bit when I was watching in the NPL. Obviously, James Wren was an exceptional keeper, but I thought Jim Mutton was immense in defence last season. Nationally it would be so hard pick for Derby I always liked Roy McFarland and Igor Stimac the Croatian, I always think you build a team from the back.

13 Where is the furthest you have travelled to see Sutton?

Workington Town

14 What made you choose to volunteer with Sutton Coldfield?

My wife kept saying “If you are not doing anything you could start the decorating”.

15 What are your aspirations for the upcoming season?

Good referees

16 What are your thoughts on last season?

I really enjoyed it, it was good to visit some new grounds, but many sides in our league weren’t up to the standards we expected – some poor grounds, both playing surfaces and facilities and struggling to manage at that level. Met some really nice people (including two teams that had Derby supporters in their Board rooms).

17 How do you relax after the stresses of cheering Sutton?

A couple of drinks – usually open a bottle of red when I get home on Saturday

18 Does your family share your interest in Sutton?

To a degree, one son and my grandson have Derby County season tickets, but they and my other son will come when time permits; my wife, Pat, has also been to a few games, including 2 away games last season.

19 What are your hopes on the field for the coming season?

To get a good, balanced, squad together, to see the goals scored from a lot of players and to see some of the younger players have opportunities and make a real breakthrough.

20 How many grounds have you visited with Sutton, and are there any new grounds you will be going to this season?

A lot. Cleethorpes will be new – not sure if I’m looking forward to that, Carlton and Lincoln will be new and while many years ago I even played at some of the Staffordshire sides there is no guarantee they are still at the same ground. Not looking forward to Frickley

Further reading