We like nothing more than to champion the unsung heroes. Those people who work so diligently behind-the-scenes to make our clubs tick across all four divisions of the Pitching In Southern League.
One such person is Dave Ralph at Premier Central outfit, Redditch United. He celebrated his 80th birthday this week and is still going strong in his role of Kit Man and Honorary President.
He has been part of the backroom staff at the Worcestershire club for the past three decades, going about his business in a quiet and highly-efficient manner.
“It was former Vice-Chairman, Keith Broom, who first got me involved here,” he recalled. “That would have been in the early 1990s and since then I’ve been Kit Man for the majority of the time, but I’ve also done other things like drive the minibus, work on the gate and help with the general upkeep of the stadium and signage.
“I think that I’ve worked under something like 18 different managers here and six or seven Chairmen. There have been plenty of ups and downs, of course, like at every club, and you have to be able to take the rough with the smooth.
“Winning promotion into what was then known as the Blue Square North (Step 2) was a particular highlight for me, then under Liam McDonald we came within a penalty shoot-out of getting back to that level.
“I’ve met a lot of good people during my time here, some of whom have gone on to reach higher levels and it’s great to watch their progress, it always makes me feel extremely proud.
“When you work at a football club you have to be able to get on with all kinds of different characters and I’ve made a lot of friends along the way who I have kept in contact with long after they have departed the club.
“My philosophy has always been to just do my job to the best of my ability and enjoy it. I’m not in it for accolades or recognition.
“The long away trips, especially on Tuesday evenings, do start to take their toll. I’ve been there and done it over the years. My health is pretty good, but at my age you do start to feel it a bit more.”
Ralph is full of praise for the progress that the club has made both on and off-the-pitch in recent years.
“What the Chairman has done for the club is absolutely tremendous,” he added. “He has turned things around and surrounded himself with some really good people who have taken this club onto the next level and into the heart of the local community.
“The community involvement here is excellent; the club has created a buzz locally that has resulted in more people attending games, taking out sponsorships, using the facilities and coming along to the various events and hospitality.
“It has certainly given me a new lease of life here and I am honoured to be part of the Redditch United Family.
“I’m also thankful of having such a supportive family of my own. I have a good wife, Val, who is very understanding when I’m travelling all over the place with the team and sometimes returning home in the early hours of the morning.
“There have also been occasions in the past when I’ve had to bring the kit home to wash and things like that.
“It’s so important to have a supportive family and I consider myself to be extremely fortunate in this respect.”
Redditch United host Leiston on Saturday before rounding off the regular season with a trip to Barwell and then a home encounter with Champions, Needham Market on the final day.
People like Dave Ralph really are worth their weight in gold and we want to give them the recognition that they deserve, so please send us your stories of unsung heroes at your club. Send Email | news@southern-football-league.co.uk
IMAGE: Neil Jay
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