In the next chapter of Stafford Rangers ‘Stand Together’ initiative Andy Fearn has joined the board of directors at the football club. He will also take the responsibility of Director of Football looking after all things related to the football side of the business.
He brings with him a wealth of business knowledge having worked in sales for the past 30 years in senior roles as a Sales Director and Managing Director. Since 2009 he has operated as a freelance consultant with his own company dealing with well-known brands such as Boots, Tesco and Superdrug. The years of negotiating with some of the country’s toughest retailers will give the Football Club additional help throughout the business.
Andy’s extensive background in the football arena started with Nuneaton Borough in 2000 when they were in the Conference Premier as a Scout/ Match analyst. As the years progressed he gained experience in the Conference Premier, Conference North, Unibond and NPL levels in both full time and part time clubs. Chester, Kidderminster Harriers, Northwich Victoria, Stalybridge Celtic, and Hucknall Town have all played their part in establishing his CV. He was involved with clubs who won the Conference North and Unibond leagues.
He has tasted success with clubs finishing runners up in the conference Premier and shared the excitement of being play off finalists in the Conference North and being part of FA Cup runs as far as the 3rd Round. His appetite for the game remains strong and he is eager for success at Stafford Rangers in a role he recognised was a perfect fit for him and the club. With 20 years of relevant experience under his belt he is more than ready and capable for the challenge.
“In the two years I have been involved with the Rangers already I have developed a great affection for the club and an affinity with the staff, supporters and directors. It has been a disappointing time for fans on the pitch, we made some mistakes but this role has been on the cards for some time and I can’t wait to get started” Andy continues, “The challenge which lies ahead is immense especially with the current crisis but the Stand Together initiative shows just what we can do off the pitch and we must now build something to show what we can do on it. I believe I can be instrumental in securing a bright future for the football club and will always be there for fans to talk to win, lose or draw.”
His first challenge is to attract the right calibre of Head Coach, the modern way many clubs are now organising themselves with a clear split of responsibilities between the Director of Football and Head Coach. The Head Coach will be responsible for team selection, tactics and training regimes as well as player recruitment but any discussions regarding terms will be led by Andy.
“My role is to lighten the Head Coaches workload by taking responsibility for the financial side of the football, making sure we stick to our playing budget and I will negotiate terms for both contract and non-contract players within guidelines we will set in the boardroom” states Andy.
Final line discipline will also end at the Director of football feet, but Andy insists his major role will be to support, advise and enthuse. The Director of Football’s responsibility is also to oversee all aspects of football within the club, in particular the structure taking players from the junior teams all the way through to the Academy, the Under 21’s or even into the first team. He will look at the arrangements for the Academy once we have moved passed the Coronavirus restrictions and look to connect all elements of the club, everyone who plays in the rangers’ shirt.
Andy states, “I want us to nurture local talent for the benefit of the player and the club. I want us to drive everyone into the vision of a ‘Community Club but this will take a great deal of hard work and commitment by all. We need to create an atmosphere of unity and I want all teams and managers to be part of the First Team match day experience at some point. Junior teams and their parents need come to the club on match days once or twice a season. I want the club to look at our community programme and how we engage schools colleges as well as businesses and how our partners could use our facilities.”
The football clubs fans have dug deep into their pockets in recent weeks supporting the football club financially and Stafford Rangers are deeply grateful. The appointment of Andy Fearn as Director of Football is yet another example of all at Marston Road Standing Together and moving forward.
