Chairman announces long term plans in bid to wake up ‘sleeping giant’ 7th tier club

Weymouth chairman Ralph Ricardo announces long term plans in a bid to wake up the ‘sleeping giant’ 7th tier club.

The Terras have seen plenty of changes recently, including the departures of their chairman Paul Maitland, manager Warren Feeney sacked, an interim chairman come in, the return of Steve Claridge as manager, and players incoming and outgoing.

They currently sit 18th in the Southern League – Premier South with 4 points from 5 games, and last weekend suffered a 4-2 defeat to Tadley Calleva in the FA Cup First Qualifying Round.

A week on from that, Ralph Ricardo, the new chairman, has thanked Paul Maitland for his 12+ years of service and contributions.

Amid unprecedented challenges, he believes Steve Claridge is the man to lead rebuilding efforts.

Ralph views the club as a “sleeping giant” with the potential to return to the National League South and aim of National League sustainability.

A Message from our Chairman:https://t.co/Bv2HSKLxym

— Weymouth FC (@theterras) September 4, 2025

In a statement, he said: “Firstly, I’d like to place on record my thanks to Paul Maitland for his time as Chairman and for the huge contribution he has made to the club over the years. I first started working with Paul over 12 years ago when he joined Jason to help with coaching, and since then it has been fantastic to see his deep understanding of the club and the way he has always supported its values and direction as his roles within the club acting as CEO and then Chair to oversee it’s security in 2022. I know that as much as Paul has stepped back he will be at the end of the phone on a regular basis and will still help to drive the club forward.

“Obviously, at this time we face an unprecedented challenge, and we believe that the appointment of manager Steve Claridge is 100% the right way to help us get through this stage and start to rebuild the club back to where it needs to be. Already Steve has been working to make these changes and we are fully supportive of him and his ability to deliver what is needed.

“As a Board we need to learn from the mistakes we have made in the past. His appointment is crucial and his experience and character, as well as his industrious work ethic will help guide things on the pitch.

“Several times over the past week, the phrase “Sleeping Giant” has been mentioned. I know this personally, having been involved with the club for 13.5 years. We know what we are capable of, and we also know that nothing comes easily. But at some point, we must change how we work off the pitch. The volunteers in this club are amazing but we need to be joined up in how we work together especially if we are to start waking this Sleeping Giant.

“As a club, we believe we belong in the National South. However, results don’t lie, and unfortunately we are where we currently are. This rebuild will not be a quick fix for just this season. Off the pitch, working together is what will drive us forward — to rebuild into a National South club that can sustain itself, and in the longer term, to create a team and a structure capable of pushing us back into the National League and staying there.

“Football should be enjoyable, and for those around us giving their time should feel rewarding. Everyone involved does this for the love of the club. Like many of the clubs around us, it is our fan base and the volunteers that makes us who we are.

“The spirit of working together drives us forward, bringing in fresh creative ideas is key. We need to foster an environment when supporters feel getting involved with the club adds more to us and makes us bigger as a whole. That, for me, is the most important thing I want to see us achieve. I believe it will be the change that makes a lasting difference, and one the one thing I want to build as time as Chair – Ralph Ricardo, WFC Chairman.”

In an interview with the Dorset Echo, he said: “We are always looking to actively find that right skill set to join the board. Whether that is as a director or whether that is more as an advisory role where their skills need to fit in.

“If we trip over ourselves doing the same work, we are not productive enough, and we can’t expand and grow how we need to. But we have to have a long term vision of being in the National League.

“To be in National League we have to run over three times as much income than we do in the National League South, so that’s a hell of a growth model to get there and stay there.

“So, we need people pulling in the right direction, we need a strong community identity and facilities which will cater for the commercial side of things like hospitality.

“Going forward it is going to take time but we need those people involved.

“Eventually we would like to look at taking on some kind of investment but that can’t be at the sacrifice of our fundamental values.

“But if we can get those two things right, then we can see ourselves growing in the not too distant future.”

“Football is a money game and it involves people on the terraces.

“When results go the other way, it does not keep it driving in the right direction as fast as you like, but right now it’s fine.”

“I want to add my heartfelt thanks to Paul. I’ve been involved in the club for 12 or 13 years now and we have both been here in various capacities and it’s been a pleasure.

“We had to rescue it a few years ago from financial issues and he has been the best person at the helm that possibly could be.

“As it has been stated his family commitments are quite heavy and he had to find that balance, so I’m delighted he is still there to give his expertise and consult in someway.”