HOUGH End Griffins Junior FC has thanked stalwart volunteer Sandra McNicholls, who has stepped down as treasurer and given an overall 12 years of service to the club.
Sandra, from Northenden, first became involved with Hough End Griffins while helping another south Manchester club, Wythenshawe Town, where her two sons played as youngsters.
She built a relationship with both clubs and now helps with Chorltonians, where she is treasurer, her husband Tony McNicholls is chairman and her two sons, now aged 25 and 28, play.
Dan Taylor, Hough End Griffins chairman, thanked Sandra for all her many years’ work at the club’s recent annual general meeting (they are pictured above). The event was held at the Hough End Centre, which is Greater Manchester Police’s sports and social club.
Dan said: “This has been Sandra’s final season at Hough End and she has left it in a fantastic financial position. When Sandra volunteered to become treasurer on a temporary basis three years ago, the club was not in such a healthy state as it is now. But the amount of work she has put in behind the scenes has got the club to where it is today. It means we are able to give more and more kids the opportunity to get involved with this fantastic community football club.
“So I want to thank Sandra on behalf of everyone at Hough End Griffins. She has been such an important part of this club for the past 12 years.”
Sandra was presented with cards and presents from other volunteer-parents at the AGM (see photo below this report).
The annual general meeting discussed other topics including opportunities for more parents to become coaches and assistants through FA courses, and a push to increase the number of higher-qualified coaches. A number of parents have completed or are starting the FA Level One course which covers first-aid, child welfare and football coaching. However the club is keen to get more parents qualified and also to FA Level Two.
More details are available from individual team coaches or from Ben Hamilton, the club secretary, or Graham McGilliard, who has become Hough End club chairman replacing Dan Taylor who is the new treasurer.
Also at the AGM, parents Anita Kistler and Cheryl Struckman were reinstated as child welfare officers, and Robbie MacDonald remains press officer. Discussions are ongoing with other parents about potential volunteer roles.
Other topics discussed included pitch bookings and league registrations for the forthcoming 2017-18 season, enhanced communications and information circulated between team coaches, and a potential Hough End Griffins youth council to provide a platform for youngsters to have a greater say about the club’s development.
The AGM followed Hough End’s end-of-season presentation day for players, family and friends held at the nearby Broughton Park RUFC clubhouse (see previous reports and photos).
Hough End Griffins currently has over 300 children of primary and secondary school aged, up to 16, boys and girls. The club was formed in 2005 by a group of football-loving parents and remains parent-led. It has become one of the most successful junior football clubs in Manchester. It has received many accolades including Manchester Sports Club of the Year, two Manchester FA Community Club of the Year awards, and numerous league and cup victories.
Hough End Griffins JFC 