I was offered a position on the club’s committee by then chairman Tom Martin in 2001 and shortly afterwards took over from Peter Helsby as club secretary. Having supported the club since moving to the area in 1980, I remember how excited I was at the thought of being involved with the running of the club — although I clearly did not realise that this would last for almost a quarter of a century, nor did I understand how wide ranging the role would become. There is no doubt that even at non-league level the amount of legislation and administration in football has grown out of all proportion over the last few years, and of course we are all volunteers at this level.

It has been a privilege to have been so heavily involved with the club for so long and it has been a real labour of love. There have been so many highs and lows over the years — with perhaps this season that saw us relegated being one of the lows! However, the team’s position in the league this season had nothing to do with my wish to take a step back. The role is extremely demanding in terms of the time required to carry it out effectively, and I have reached the point where there are other interests I wish to pursue, with less and less time left to do so.

However, I am not disappearing! For the past five or six years I have managed the finances of the club and will continue to do so and will of course continue to watch the team at home and away as often as possible.

The good news as that we have someone who is able to take up the challenge and take over from me in looking after all of the football matters and the general club administration. Trevor Hall has seamlessly taken on the football admin side of the club already and will now take responsibility for the many other elements of the club’s administration. Trevor brings with him a wealth of experience of working with our youth section and has also been heavily involved with the Sussex County FA for a long time so we are in very capable hands.

During my time we have seen so many great occasions on the pitch as well as suffering the occasional crushing disappointment along the way. As a supporter I was privileged to have been at the magnificent victory against Swansea City and I imagine we may never see the like again. However, as a club official I recall our magnificent FA Trophy run to the semi-finals in 2016, where we defeated so many higher-level clubs on the way to the two matches against Grimsby Town.

We played ten matches in that run with dramatic, last-gasp winners against Bath City and Altrincham. I remember dreading drawing at home to Altrincham on a freezing cold Tuesday night (remember defrosting the pitch with the cars on the pitch?) as that would have meant the challenge of arranging a midweek replay there a week later. Thank goodness for James Crane’s unbelievable 45-yard last gasp winner. He still says that it was no fluke!

I think that the greatest memories that I will have are all of the close friendships that have been formed through the club. Not just the many players and coaching staff that have become close friends, but our wonderful supporters. It is quite amazing how strong our support is at Nyewood Lane these days and the very regular travelling support is also incredibly impressive. David Robinson deserves great credit for arranging the coaches to away matches and for the effort he puts in to making it all work so seamlessly. I look forward to many more hours spent driving round the M25 in search of a win!

Up the Rocks!