Chairman of 8th tier club AFC Dunstable speaks on why he made the decision to give them away to bidders for free, absolutely nothing.
Simon Bullard has pledged to give it away to anyone with the right skills and resources, with AFC Dunstable’s website stated that the club, which includes playing side and “related components”, would be “gifted without debt” and invited expressions to interest.
The Bedfordshire based outfit sit in the Southern League Division One Central, and are 10th with 36 points from 24 played, 9 points from the playoff places.
After 30 years of juggling with his family and club, Simon Bullard felt it was time to “bow out on a high”.
“I’m looking for someone to take it on as it is. It’s completely stable and runs itself. It just needs some fresh ideas to bolster it, but it’s a fantastic place,” he said.
A “vacancy for chairperson” on the club’s website specified they were looking for a person, organisation or consortium with “the ability to run a team at the level which we are”.
Bullard, who at first joined the club as a player in 1991, said he had already received a lot of interest and hoped to start talking to potential new owners in the coming weeks.
AFC Dunstable chairman, Simon Bullard, is giving away his club for free. Fancy it? ⚽️ https://t.co/9wDU9hK16k pic.twitter.com/RKMzCUF03g
— BBC Three Counties Radio (@BBC3CR) February 24, 2023
In a video with BBC Three Counties Radio, he said: “As you can see, you know, there’s there’s lots of football that gets played on here.
“I mean, we’ve had some great games here. Them nights going back. We can go back to the Vase nights, FA Cup nights under lights here. There’s nothing better, especially when you win.
“I’m giving away AFC Dunstable Football Club. I’ve run the club for 30 years. I personally think that if I can give it to somebody who wants the same ambitions as what I did, is to keep them in a good standard of football. I think that’s the way forward.
“This is where it all happens. Starts on a Saturday. All the gathering round here, say the refs and the away team and our home team. It’s something that I will miss, but it’s going to be passed on, hopefully to somebody else, and that can enjoy this as much as I do.
“Crowds differ. We can get anywhere from 100 to 250 this year. We’ve definitely seen an upward trend of people coming in watching non league football, which I promote so much. It’s somewhere a good Saturday afternoon. You can get a good, bestie burger here and a pint, and it’s fantastic. Watch a good game of football”
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Chairman of 8th tier club speaks on decision to give them away to bidders for free
CLUB STATEMENT:
“It can be confirmed that at the end of the 22/23 season Simon Bullard will be stepping down from his role as Chairman at AFC Dunstable.
“In a brief statement he stated — leaving the club has been a huge decision, but it’s one I have had to make for me and my family. The club is in great shape, the first team are riding high near the top end of the table, so now feels like the right time to make that move. I will forever be proud of the time I spent at AFC and made so many brilliant memories. Including, the first team winning the Spartan South Midlands division and being promoted to the Southern League. These memories will live with me forever and I thank everyone that has been a part of my AFC journey over the last 30 years.
“Since Simon took up the position as Chairman in 1994 (from playing for the club before that too!) he has built a club we can all be extremely proud of. Including a youth Academy, 18 youth teams, one of the best youth tournaments around, ladies teams, development and first teams playing at a really competitive level and our new club shop.
“Since Simon arrived his company IAF Services have sponsored the club and have recently seen the club through some of the worst financial times in modern history, including Coronavirus which not only forced closures but also affected so many of our lives on a personal basis aswell as the loss of loved ones for so many. We have also seen a cost of living crisis and a War between Ukraine and Russia, which again has had personal implications upon so many.
“We are proud that since arriving Simon implemented so many changes for good around the club, away from this, we have been able to work with Creasey Park to continually improve the ground improvements, providing one of the best playing and training facilities around for all of our teams.
“We can confirm that the Club (consisting of the playing side & related elements) will be gifted debt free, to anybody/organisation/consortium, which proves that they have the ability and resource to run a team/club at the level which we are. For any enquiries for this please email afcdunstable81@gmail.com your details and your initial expression of interest, to why you feel you would be the correct person, people or organisation to continue the clubs running.
“We also highlight the time importance to any enquiries to ensure a smooth continuation, so don’t delay in getting in touch for any serious enquiry.
“Simon has spoken with the Management team in detail this week to explain his decision and they were very understanding and supportive and have agreed they will continue their roles and to push for those results!
“In closing we would like to thank so many people for their support during Simons time at the club; The committee, Volunteers, Managers, Players, Youth Teams Coaches/Players/Parents, Ladies Teams, Coaching Staff, Medical Staff, Creasey park staff, Head of Ladies and Boys Youth Set Ups, all our superb Sponsors & the dedicated fans.
“Finally, we would like to thank Simon and his family, who have respected the countless hours spent away from them to ensure the smooth running of the club and have understood the emotional pressures he has endured that goes with running a football club. THANK YOU ALL”
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