Now Chairman to Step Down at AFC Dunstable

Following the news that secretary David Airey would be stepping down at the end of the campaign, it has been announced that Simon Bullard will be stepping down from his role as chairman of Pitching In Southern League Division One Central club AFC Dunstable at the end of the 2022/23 season.

In a brief statement, he stated: “Leaving the club has been a huge decision, but it’s one I have had to make for me and my family. The club is in great shape, the first team are riding high near the top end of the table, so now feels like the right time to make that move.

“I will forever be proud of the time I spent at AFC and made so many brilliant memories. Including, the first team winning the Spartan South Midlands League and being promoted to the Southern League. These memories will live with me forever and I thank everyone that has been a part of my AFC journey over the last 30 years.”

Since Bullard took up the position as chairman in 1994 (from playing for the club before that too!) he has built a club all can be extremely proud of, including a youth academy, 18 youth teams, one of the best youth tournaments around, ladies teams, development and first teams playing at a really competitive level and a new club shop.

Since Bullard arrived his company IAF Services have sponsored the club and have recently seen the club through some of the worst financial times in modern history, including Coronavirus which not only forced closures but also affected so many lives on a personal basis as well as the loss of loved ones for so many.

We have also seen a cost-of-living crisis and a War between Ukraine and Russia, which again has had personal implications upon so many.

The club are proud that since arriving, Bullard implemented so many changes for good around the club, away from this, they have been able to work with Creasey Park to continually improve the ground improvements, providing one of the best playing and training facilities around for all the teams.

It can be confirmed that the club (consisting of the playing side and related elements) will be gifted debt free, to anybody/organisation/consortium, which proves that they have the ability and resource to run a team/club at the level which we are.

For any enquiries for this please email afcdunstable81@gmail.com your details and your initial expression of interest, to why you feel you would be the correct person, people or organisation to continue the clubs running.

We also highlight the time importance to any enquiries to ensure a smooth continuation, so don’t delay in getting in touch for any serious enquiry.

Bullard has spoken with the management team in detail this week to explain his decision and they were very understanding and supportive and have agreed they will continue their roles and to push for those results.

In closing the club would like to thank so many people for their support during Bullard’s time at the club; the committee, volunteers, managers, players, youth teams coaches/players/parents, Ladies teams, coaching staff, medical staff, Creasey Park staff, head of Ladies & Boys youth set ups, all of the superb Sponsors and the dedicated fans.

Finally, the club would like to thank Simon Bullard and his family, who have respected the countless hours spent away from them to ensure the smooth running of the club and have understood the emotional pressures he has endured that goes with running a football club.

AFC Dunstable Web Site