Mike Thomas has urged people to help out as local football clubs are “crying out” for volunteers, writes Josh Thomas.

Thomas recently left his role as Chairman of Ashton & Backwell United, a club he had been at since 2010 when Backwell United merged with Ashton Boys.

His departure saw the Stags make the decision to continue with just one club in Division One of the Somerset County League by the six remaining members of the committee.

Thomas said it was his time go but not without asking people to do their part and get involved with their local clubs.

“I’ve had 32 years in local football, 13 of which have been here I think I have done my bit,” he said. 

“But every local football club are crying out for volunteers, helpers, they don’t have to necessary to go on the committee. 

“I urge anybody to step up and do a bit, volunteer, help out because we had an advert in the programme running from September, every home game, asking for help, volunteers. I didn’t have one response. 

“If we had a reasonable size response the volunteers, I could have been able to walk away, and the club could have stayed in the Western League.

“Honestly clubs need people to step up and help out and do one little task a week or take on something because otherwise local football over the next few years could change radically for the worse.”

After making his decision Thomas says a lot of clubs have approached him to share of their similar problems with their lack of volunteers.

“Since I have made the announcement of my news a number of clubs have come forward and said I am glad someone said it because we are in the same boat,” he added.

“There is another very well-established club in the area, and I was full of admiration for the volunteers they have, but they haven’t got the number they are used to. The message is please step up, help, offer.

When asked why people should offer their services and help, Thomas said: “Ultimately the satisfaction that they helped keep a local football club going, because if people don’t volunteer, they won’t have a football club to go to. 

“If they have enjoyed the Western League, if another three, four, five, six people had stepped up they could still have enjoyed and been part of it. 

“It’s the atmosphere, the spirit, it’s an ownership, it’s an enjoyment, they come and watch the game and they can look with pride and say I did that, or I will do that.”