New East Cowes Vics chairman Mark Greenslade hopes to breathe life into and dramatically transform the struggling 10th tier club.
You might not have heard of this side before, unless you know your non league stuff, however this team based on the Isle of Wight are set for some big changes that might just raise their profile.
They are currently members of the Wessex League Division One, but they currently sit 18th out of 20 teams and with 10 points from 17 matches played, but they have only picked up one win.
But there is a sense of new ambition with Mark Greenslade, chairman, coming into the club and looking to change thing up for the better, having been appointed to the East Cowes Vics committee two years ago and was then voted in as chairman in the summer, going on to axe Richie Woodburn as boss and replaced him with Alex Smith not too long ago.
New chairman aims to breathe life into ailing East Cowes Vics. #iwnews #isleofwight #iow Read: https://t.co/JDS2VSRvUc @FIWessex @WessexLeague @ecvafc @Newport_IW_FC
— Isle of Wight County Press (@iwcponline) December 26, 2022
A lot has already happened behind the scenes as Alex freshens up a squad low on confidence — third bottom of Division 1, with one win in 17 all season.
“As a club, we haven’t progressed and we have got a lot of catching up to do,” said Mark to Isle of Wight County Press.
“On the pitch, we’ve got to make ourselves a Wessex League outfit and that road started with Alex. I feel like we’ve been hanging on for far too long.
“We are a low budget club. Our funds are limited and we can’t compete with the big boys.
“We can only attract good players if the club has the right profile. Everything at the club needs to be improved massively. We need to change everything.
“My job is to slowly, but surely, provide a better pitch for the youngsters to play on, a pathway for youngsters and their welfare.
“We want to be a fresh, vibrant club… and those things are not Vics.”
“From seating in the stand, the clubhouse and its social side, to the pitch surrounds, training facility and broken fencing, there’s a huge amount to do — but it can’t be done in two months. It’s more likely to be one or two years,” Mark goes on in the report.
“But first and foremost, we need to get the football side right. If we drop out of the Wessex League, everything changes.
“We can’t afford to do that, so we’re putting all resources this year into making the team one to be proud of, or going in the right direction.
“Over the coming months and years, we will improve every aspect of the club, but we need sponsors onboard.”
Mark claims he likes the way league above Cowes Sports has been run and is looking to do something similar with the model of sustainability that is clearly doing something good there.
“It’s tight, properly run and they give their players every advantage — and we need to do that, but it can’t be done overnight,” adds Mark.
“We want to attract the right name — but we’ve got to make Vics attractive to them,” Mark adds in regards to sponsorship especially for the ground.
“There is a genuine mood at Vics to take the club forward, with big strides.”
Mark said back when he was appointed chairman in August: “I am honoured to take on the role of chairman of this historic club. I have a strong remit given to me by the committee to oversee an exciting new chapter in the club’s history, focusing on improvements in all areas of the football teams and how we represent Island football in both the Wessex League and Island Football.”
Adam Marsek, who is the club’s new Commercial Manager said, as per IW Radio: “It’s a privilege to have been brought into the club. With a strong committee already in place, I will strive to source and provide them with the much-needed funds to bring elements of the club up to date, and future proof every aspect we can.
“With the help of Island businesses, we hope to create a community hub and for our teams to flourish from our joint efforts.”
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