After 60 years at the helm, Ramsbottom United founder and chairman Harry Williams has decided to step back from the role he has held since helping set the club up in 1966.
That is, by any measure, a remarkable stint. Sixty years as chairman of a football club has to be pushing record territory.
Former secretary Tony Cunningham, who has been offered the position of Vice-Chairman, explained how it came about: “Harry told me he was thinking of stepping back, and after 60 years at the helm, he has certainly earned a break. He then suggested we run the club with a new committee, and offered me the position of Vice-Chairman, with the aim of creating that committee. This has now been done, and we are all excited at the prospect of being able to guide the club over the coming years.”
As for Harry, Tony is hoping he will still be a familiar face at matches – just without the weight of running everything on his shoulders. In Tony’s words: “He has deserved to be able to sit in the sponsors lounge, enjoying a couple of ciggies and a couple of beers.”
Fair enough, really.
The new committee has already made its first significant decision, appointing coach Rob Henry as manager following the retirement of Steve Wilkes.
The timing feels significant. The Rams have reached the play-offs in each of the last two seasons without getting over the line. There’s clearly a squad capable of going up — the hope is that this season, under Rob Henry and a reinvigorated committee, they finally do.
If you’ve got memories of Harry’s time at the club – and after 60 years there must be a few – it’d be great to hear them in the comments.
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