"We need to evolve." Jason Dunford looks ahead for Abbey Hey.
- Tarran Sidhu
- Feb 10, 2022
- 3 min read
Abbey Hey made their mark by reaching the 5th round of the FA Vase for the first time in their history. Their tie against Loughborough students may be edging nearer but this isn’t the peak for the club, with there being plenty more just over the horizon.
Like many at the base of the English football pyramid, the COVID-19 pandemic brought about many unprecedented challenges in what was a very difficult period for Abbey Hey as club investor Jason Dunford highlighted in the side’s latest press conference.
“We had to reach out to the FA and make sure we were able to receive the grants available to us. Obviously with no football there were no gates and no money but we still managed to keep the electric and utilities going.”
Alongside financial difficulties, mental health was at the forefront of the nation’s concern during the lockdown period. Dunford ensured that player welfare was a priority at this time.
“From a mental health point of view, it was important that we kept in touch with the group that Terry and Chris [managers] had accumulated. Just to make sure their mental wellbeing was okay.”
Since navigating through this tough period, the club has experienced a great deal of success, particularly with their FA Vase cup run.
“Financially its helped massively. It’s started to evolve the fanbase, the media work and encouraged people to take note and become curious of what we are doing here. It’s helped a lot and we’ve seen our gates increase.”
“We’re in four competitions, we’re pushing for the playoffs and now at this stage in the vase you’ve got to fancy your chances because you’re only three games away from Wembley.”
Alongside the immediate benefits of the Hey's cup run, Dunford is hoping the club can use this opportunity to further the clubs size and outreach.
“Going forward as a club we need to tap into the community. This club unfortunately hasn’t had for a number of years the opportunity to develop in the community and we’re getting to that point where we are going to start doing that because there is lots of things this club needs to evolve.”
Football has always been a game for the people and Abbey Hey are hoping that with their on pitch success they can become a hub for the people off the pitch.
“There is going to be a lot of work going forward this isn’t a short term plan we will be working on this year on year. It’s going to be a slow start but bit by bit we will get further and further into the community.”
“We’ve got a lot of people coming back to Abbey Hey from the past, that’s down to the performances on the pitch so we’ve got something for them to watch now.”
“Off the pitch we need to move into the 21st century. We’ve got quite a few contacts in this area which we haven’t utilised fully. So, I hope I can use my business networking contacts to help evolve the club.”
“We’ve got a fantastic plot of land which we can develop to get the community in. I hope that my greatest legacy here is reaching into the community welcoming in boys and girls and getting them playing football here whilst keeping them off the streets.”
The club aren’t just looking ahead but are also aiming to impact in the present. Abbey Hey’s fixture against Barnton on the 19th of February will support the Football versus Homophobia campaign to raise awareness for the charity’s work. A cause Dunford spoke passionately about.
“Football vs Homophobia for me is massive. It’s something that needs to be out there and recognised and we are proud to take part in this and raise awareness.”
Dunford made it clear that it his mission to not only help the club in the now but more importantly for the future where he hopes to bring in and develop the next generation of Abbey Hey players and the Abbey Hey faithful.
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