Bashley FC chair Paul Lucas to stand down

BASHLEY FC chair Paul Lucas has announced he will step down at the end of the season.

Lucas has guaranteed the club’s funding over the past four seasons, along with sponsorships from his companies Banbury Builders and GlenMex.

Bashley are now seeking his replacement to ensure the club remain competitive in the Southern League.

Two seasons ago, the club were promoted from the Wessex League and since then have held their own in the league’s division one south.

In a statement to Bashley fans, Lucas said: “It’s with a heavy heart that I have to announce my resignation as chairman of Bashley Football Club at the end of this season.

“This is due to many factors, including personal matters, and an acknowledgement of my consequent inability to give the time needed to The Bash.

“From the first time I chatted with the club’s vice-chairman, Iain Roberts, in 2019 to my first steps as the major sponsor in the dark days of Covid in 2020 – and lastly, dear Mike Cranidge’s arm-twisting to become chairman in early 2021, it has been an amazing journey.

“It would take about 10 pages to thank everyone individually who has supported me during this time – but in groups, it has to be a special thanks to my fellow executives, the amazing volunteers and committee members, all the staff over the past years, the football managers and coaches, every player who has worn our badge with pride, my amazing family and last but most definitely not least... to the best fans in the game.

“I also want to say what an absolute pleasure it has been to visit, meet and greet so many good people from our opponents.”

On behalf of the club, Mr Roberts said: “After the unexpected departure of our previous manager, Matt Tubbs, only a month into the season, we had four months of interruption to our schedule through rain, with many postponements.

“However, new manager Ollie Cherrett has steadied the ship, and we are set for another Southern League season next time around – although we now need to find a chairman and sponsors to maintain Bashley’s progress.”

Although discussions with interested parties have taken place, nothing has yet been confirmed.

The executive committee would like to hear from those interested. For more information, contact Iain Roberts through the club website.

The decision comes hot on the heels of Bash seeing off promotion contenders Mousehole 2-0 at the weekend.