The Trials of a Small Football Club

Covid-19 has left many small businesses in trouble and with one fifth not being given the aid they need; they have been left unsure of their future. Talking to Dave Brown from Hanworth Villa Football Club, I find out how a small football club has been coping

What have you missed most in the past year?

For Hanworth Villa football club and other small clubs alike, it would probably be actually playing football. Their grounds: big fields of grass, left empty and untouched for months. Usually filled with people cheering and having fun. It hasn’t been like that for a long time, especially not for the forgotten football clubs that are affected by the Covid-19 pandemic, which have indeed been pushed to the back of fans minds. Whilst other leagues are going ahead, lower ones haven’t been allowed to play for extended periods of time.

Dave Brown, the Hanworth Villa club secretary and former player, manager and volunteer, revealed what it’s like for a smaller football club in these uncertain times. It’s not undermining to call the team small, as Dave said that the team usually receive fan numbers of about “80 to 120” and that is “depending upon the opposition”, which in comparison to the thousands of fans that flock to see a premier league team play is rather tiny. So with the spotlight on larger teams, why do people even support the small teams? According to Dave, it’s to do with, “a connection with the club and the players, as we have on occasion sons of previous players and most are pretty local.” Dave himself has been involved in the team since 1977, and his own community spirit shines through.

The Official Hanworth Villa Football Club Logo

That local, community feel has suffered in recent times but whilst fans haven’t been allowed to see their teams in the flesh, not even televised, there’s still a desperate desire to keep all football clubs afloat in the future. In the case of Hanworth Villa, fans have “to a point” been supporting the club “but until we can start playing again its difficult to say”, referring to just how loyal fans have been and hopefully will stay. As someone who has played a significant part in Hanworth’s Villa’s lives, Dave wants to see fans returning to the stands as soon as possible to show their support again.That’s why he is “maybe slightly” expecting or at least hoping to see an increase in ticket sales, however that “mostly depends on how well the team is doing.”

Due to a moment in the club's history that could have rocketed them into higher ranks, an increase in ticket sales has happened before for Hanworth Villa. As a personal favourite moment of his own, Dave recalled, “The most notable [success story] was our run in the FA cup in 2011 when we almost reached the first round, which would have been the first time anyone from our level had done that and we would have been on the TV. With so many ex-players supporting the club, there are always stories of great times in the past whenever the club is open.”

A clip from 2011 FA Cup mentioned above

All teams on a similar scale are unsure whether they will have more opportunities to make triumphs in the future. Looking ahead, the impact of coronavirus will hit “most probably financially, and with respect to the level of football we compete at, but at the moment none of this is very clear.” And whilst the future remains unobvious, issues in the present have already began appearing. “From a playing perspective its been on/off since last March and it looks like two seasons where the league and cups we compete in, won't be completed again.” Despite wanting to stay optimistic, faced with uncertainty, there is an inability to cement a cheery tone.

Speaking on behalf of the players as well, not being able to play has been, “Extremely disappointing” adding lightly, the reason for this being, “as we were having a good season.” At least when there’s hopefully a return, the team should be in good shape. During the national lockdowns, remote exercise regimes have been in practice including “having a competition with regards to running to see who could clock up 100 km the quickest.”

The Hanworth Villa 20/21 team

Keeping to a more positive view on the comeback to football, Dave said that whilst there isn’t a lot that can be done in the meantime, they will “make sure the ground is safe and do any routine maintenance on the pitches or buildings.” Then once the team play, they will hopefully, “pick up where we left off and push the club forward” with fans faced with the prospect of “a continuation of good form on and off the pitch and hopefully promotion.”

Whilst Dave and Hanworth Villa aren’t sure how the club will cope, there’s still hope for what the team can achieve when they return. Dave said that the main force that drives success into a club is “Support, good robust finances and the desire to see progress.” Like all small establishments, people are very much displaying support and in addition to the passionate force of Dave himself behind the club, it shouldn’t be long until we see Hanworth Villa doing well once more.

Have a look at the club's website here: http://www.hanworthvilla.co.uk/

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