From player to Chairman

It’s difficult to put into words what it means to become Chairman of Colne FC.

Because for me, this isn’t just a football club.

It’s part of my life.

My story with Colne began long before committee meetings, budgets, sponsorships and the responsibilities that come with being Chairman.

I started out playing junior football for Foulridge Minors. In the early 2000s, Foulridge and Colne FC came together in a move designed to strengthen the club’s junior section, and that was really where my journey with Colne began.

My dad, Kelvin Metcalfe, was our manager.

As I grew up and moved through the age groups, Dad stayed in charge, and football became a huge part of our lives.

By Under-18 level we were playing in the Floodlit League, and I was fortunate enough to share a dressing room with some brilliant players, including Liam Blades, Marc Young, Jon Brooks, Ben Mousley and Stephen Hall, who would all go on to make senior appearances for Colne.

I somehow managed to progress into the reserves for another season.

Then came Silsden away. As a goalkeeper, I conceded seven second-half goals.

Seven.

After the game, Dad gave me the sort of assessment that only your own father could get away with.

I wasn’t anywhere near good enough.

My time was up, Looking back, he was probably right!

My playing career at Colne may have ended that afternoon, but my connection with the club certainly didn’t.

I became a supporter.

I stood watching the likes of Gizon, Biff, Baxter, Heys and Webster and experienced some incredible occasions from the other side of the barrier.

I was a ball boy for the 2004 FA Vase semi-final, when every other game was off in the area due to inclement weather - Including Burnley at home

At the time, I could never have imagined where this club would eventually take me.

My dad continued volunteering at Colne and spent time on the committee.

The club became a huge part of his life.

My mum used to go mad about the amount of time he spent down there.

Years later, I completely understand why.

And in a nice bit of symmetry, my wife now shares exactly the same pain my mum did. The meetings, the phone calls, the messages and those famous words, “I’m just nipping to the club, I wont be long"

Some things, apparently, are passed down through generations.

Sadly, in 2013, Dad passed away.

Afterwards, I was asked if I would take on an honorary role at the club.

At the time, I thought it was simply a nice gesture.

Looking back, it was probably a very calculated attempt to get me involved.

It worked.

Completely.

From there, Colne FC slowly took over.

I’ve been a ball boy, I’ve worked behind the bar. I've looked after the website, I’ve done the social media, I’ve been secretary, I’ve officially been treasurer.

And now, somehow, I’m Chairman.

Through those years, I feel like I’ve experienced just about everything football can throw at you.

I’ve seen us win trophies.

I’ve experienced play-off heartbreak.

I’ve stood there on the final day and watched us get relegated.

Twice.

I’ve celebrated cup-final victories.

I watched us beat AFC Wimbledon in the FA Vase.

I watched us take Tamworth all the way to penalties in the FA Trophy.

I’ve seen Ryan Taylor over the wall, and I’ve seen Ryan Taylor playing in goal.

If you know, you know.

I’ve followed Colne all over the country, Bacup to Bodmin.

I’ve stood on terraces in the freezing cold, travelled home after defeats wondering why we put ourselves through it, and enjoyed those incredible days when everything just seems worthwhile.

I’ve seen managers come and go.

Players come and go.

Volunteers come and go.

I’ve seen the ground change, the club change, the badge change and football change.

But Colne FC has always been there.

And perhaps that is why becoming Chairman means so much to me.

Because when I look around the ground, I don’t just see a football club.

I see memories.

I see my dad.

I see that young lad who just wanted to play football.

I see the Under-18 goalkeeper who apparently wasn’t good enough.

I see the ball boy at the Vase semi-final.

I see the supporter on the terrace.

I see the volunteer behind the bar.

I see all the people who have given their time to keep this club going.

Football at this level doesn’t exist without those people.

It exists because somebody unlocks the gates.

Somebody marks the pitch.

Somebody sells the raffle tickets,

Somebody pours the pints.

Somebody who updates our socials,

Somebody drives halfway across the country for a game to be called off half way through and have to donit all again on a wet and miserable Tuesday evening to concede a 95th min winner.

And somebody always cares enough to come back the following Saturday.

That is what Colne FC means to me.

It isn’t simply about results.

It’s about people.

Families.

Friendships.

Generations.

Memories.

And belonging.

I often think about what Dad would make of all this.

The man who once told me I wasn’t good enough to play for Colne would probably find it very amusing that I’ve ended up as Chairman of it.

And Mum would undoubtedly point out that, after all those years complaining about how much time Dad spent at Colne, I’ve somehow ended up spending even more.

My wife would probably agree with her.

There is something quite special about being asked to lead the football club from your own town.

It comes with responsibility.

I know what this club means to people because I’m one of them.

I’ve stand 1where our supporters stand.

I’ve worn the shirt (almost).

I’ve volunteered behind the scenes.

I’ve celebrated the great days and hurt through the bad ones.

And now I have the enormous privilege of helping to look after it.

I don’t know what the next chapter of Colne FC will bring.

That’s football.

But I do know what an honour it is to be Chairman of the club that has been part of my life for more than two decades.

From player.

To supporter.

To volunteer.

To Chairman.

And after everything this club has given me, hopefully I can now give something back.

My town.

My memories.

My family.

My club.

Colne FC.