Stafford Rangers FC Welcomes John Macmillan as New Chairman
Following the resignation of John Hayne as Chairman of Stafford Rangers Football Club, the Board of Directors has unanimously appointed John Macmillan as the club’s new Chairman.
John Macmillan
John brings a wealth of experience and passion to the club.
Having served Stafford Rangers in a number of roles including Director, Company Secretary, and Chairman of the club’s charity, Stafford Rangers in the Community.
John has demonstrated strong leadership and a deep commitment to our local community.
Deakz is delighted to confirm the signing of 23-year-old striker Max Chimenes, from Darlaston Town FC.
Although recently at Darlaston Town, Max has spent the majority of the last two seasons with Chasetown FC and has been a target for signature in recent weeks.
Max will add strength, power and physicality to our forward options.
We can confirm that following seven days’ notice of approach, midfielder Mason Rees will be leaving the club to join Coleshill Town FC, a club closer to his Solihull home.
We thank Mason for his time at the BORO and the role he played in the fantastic run in at the end of last season. We wish Mason well for the future.
Arron Davies recalled to Port Vale
In addition we can confirm that goalkeeper Arron Davies will be returning to Port Vale FC subsequent to a loan recall and we would like to thank Arron Davies for his time at the BORO, wish him every success for the future and thank Port Vale FC for their assistance in facilitating the loan.
At the end of a board meeting on Friday afternoon 30th January John Hayne announced that he was resigning immediately as both Chairman and Director of Stafford Rangers Football Club Ltd.
John was appointed a Director in July 2019 and was elected Chairman by the directors in February 2025.
We thank him for all his hard work, commitment, and support during often difficult and challenging years for the club where he demonstrated resilience and determination to try to play a part in ensuring the club looked forward.
Challenging Times
The years were sometimes tempestuous given the team’s struggles on the pitch. The Chairman of a football club will always be a target for fans expressing their discontent at tough times.
Some of those accusations were framed in fact, but the level of intensity from some fans went well beyond the level of acceptable behaviour on social media, especially in the last few months.
What fans and shareholders did not see was the daily support and involvement he had with the club making him the ‘go to’ director for any issues be it operational challenges in the social club or problems in and around the ground. They are not glamourous but are vital and are often imperative to ensure our continuity.
John also financially helped the club putting money in to facilitate short term cash flow issues and most notably agreed to provide the funding for a commercial loan to the club in 2023. The Board proposed the nature and structure of the loan.
New Investment
New investor Nathan Owen’s first connection was with John in December, and his words of encouragement paved the way for subsequent interactions with the board culminating in his investment.
The commitment is total and monies are invested through shares not as a loan requiring some form of financial return with interest.
Changing Times
There needs to be a culture change now at the club with a board willing and able to deliver a structure and skill set to give it the opportunity to move forward.
The board will expect that directors, staff, and volunteers all work in a professional manner compliant with all regulations.
A new Chairman will be appointed in the next couple of weeks.
We recognize that these are challenging times for the club on the pitch. Everyone has a vision and everyone is entitled to their opinion, but we ask that this be respectful and, in a manner, and tone that carries as many as possible along for the journey ahead.
Best Wishes
John Hayne comments:
“I was honoured to be the Chairman over the last year and enjoyed my time at the club. I wish the club all the very best for the future”
We thank John Hayne for carrying the helm at the club for the past year it is not an easy job and sincerely wish him all the best and happiness in the years ahead.
We are delighted to announce the signing of experienced striker Matty Hearsey from our neighbours Stafford Town.
Matty is a prolific scorer with 66 goals in 100 games for Town and has spent time previously at Newtown FC and Rushall Olympic FC.
Matty has been extremely loyal to Town, turning down several offers over the past couple of years but has now opted to join the BORO and comes straight into the squad for tomorrow’s game at home against Kidsgrove.
Deakz comments that Matty will bring excitement to the crowd, will add firepower to our attacking options and his experience will be invaluable during the run in.
Welcome to the BORO Matty.
Rowley and Faburay depart
Leaving the club are goalkeeper Shaun Rowley and midfielder Essa Faburay.
Following seven days’ notice of approach, Shaun is expected to join Clay Cross FC, and we thank him for his brief stint at the club.
As Nathan began his long trip home, he has asked that this very personal message be passed on to everyone at Stafford Rangers FC
“Sitting on the plane about to push off for snowy JFK and I just wanted to write a note to express my sincere appreciation to you all for the warmth of the welcome on Saturday.“
I also wanted to reiterate to you all my level of commitment and excitement to this project, as it will be a project that will take time.
The last few days are somewhat of a blur. The trip was organized a few days earlier after receiving the support of the board to move forward and confirmation of receipt of the wire for the initial investment.
Arriving at the hotel after midnight on Friday I did not get to sleep until around 5am as I was so full of excitement, ideas, and anticipation, it felt similar to the night before our wedding.
It was great to finally meet George in person after a Teams meeting and several TB worth of text and the walk through the town centre and along Marston Road past my late father-in-law’s shop was poignant.
The warmth and genuineness of the greeting upon arrival at the ground set the tone for the rest of the day. It all felt so very natural, so very comfortable, so very home, straightaway. I was so pleased to be able to meet so many of you and your families and friends during the day and hear so many great stories and suggestions and such depth of support for the club and what we are trying to do.
By the time we had walked the ground for the safety inspection and done a photo shoot for the E&S we had missed the happy hour by a few minutes but I was delighted to see the social club in full effect, I don’t think I have seen anywhere like it anywhere else and I mean that in the best way possible. A great location to meet up before and after the game with family and friends, sponsors, and guests in every bar / lounge each with a different vibe but each with the same warm welcome and atmosphere.
I watched the first half from the stand and most of the second from The Shed End before rejoining my father in the stand and I loved the passion and the pride, both off and on the pitch, asthe players fought for every loose ball, header and opportunity to bring the losing streak to the end and after an Alamo style onslaught in the second half I was nearly brought to tears by the equalizer and to see the joy it brought all around the ground (not counting those in blue and white). If we can continue to do this through the end of the season, we will be in good shape. You just cannot beat someone who never ever gives up, and we are going to need and be looking for that NEGU spirit as we rebuild.
I had been very impressed by the SRFC radio team listening back in the US, so it was great to be able to do a halftime interview and then to check out the fans’ bar which had been specially decorated for the occasion.
I recognize Bury brought large traveling support which certainly contributed to the atmosphere and record attendance for this season, but there were a good thousand cheering on black and white and I would hope that anyone supporting Stafford Rangers that day would want to come back and be a part of this. It begins with staying up and then rebuilding from the bottom up, but I know now (if I did not before) that the fundamentals are there. The supporters are the beating heart of a club and despite some dark days the heart beats very strongly and it beats 🖤 and 🤍.
I am a firm believer that “if you’re not listening, you’re not learning.” I certainly learned a lot on Saturday, and I very much look forward to continuing to learn from you all and am proud to officially join your family after such a long time away, assuming you’ll say yes. “I do”
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