Club Statement – Ben intends to stand down as Chairman

Fisher Football Club regret to announce that long-standing Chairman Ben Westmancott has signalled his intention to leave his leadership role at the club after the next Board Meeting. Ben has been at the heart of the club since we re-formed in 2009, leading the fight to see community football return to Rotherhithe and Bermondsey. As we near the completion of the long journey back home, with the awarding of the management contract for St Paul’s imminent, Ben has informed then Board that he intends to resign from the role of Chairman, stating that he needs to step back from his role to concentrate on his family and returning to full health, and will do so formally at the next Board Meeting.

Ben had this message to share with the fans: “It has been an honour to serve the club over the past seven years and I’d like to extend a huge thank you to everyone that has helped in so many ways.  We set ourselves two objectives, to rebuild the club and to return home. We have delivered on both.  I am a firm believer in the old addage that what got us here won’t take us there, and now is time for a fresh perspective to take the club to the next stage of its new life.  I would like to thank past and present board members, our Patron Simon Hughes, Supporters Direct, Fairview New Homes, and League and FA officials for all their support. But more importantly, I would like to thank the loyal fans of the club, whom I count as friends, for coming on the journey, singing as we’ve progressed from nothing to a thriving club that is thankfully back in the heart of the community in which it belongs. Thank you.”

The Board would like to offer our heartfelt thanks to Ben for all that he has done for Fisher; it is not overestimating Ben’s commitment to say that Fisher would not be where we are now without his dedication, both in terms of the structure of the club and where we are playing our football. Ben’s commitment to seeing Fisher return from the ashes, his work with Supporters Direct to work out how to run a supporter owned club, and his limitless passion for making this club a friendly and welcoming place for all makes him stand apart as one of most genuine good guys in football. We fully support and understand Ben’s decision, wish him all the best for the next stage of his life. We look forward to welcoming him back to St Paul’s in the future in whatever capacity, as a fan, a friend and hopefully one day as a volunteer.

Ben’s has moved to appoint Directors Dan Feeney and Simon Shipperlee as Interim Co-Chairs. Dan and Simon will be leading the upcoming Board meeting in agreeing the recruitment for appointing a new Chairperson. The Board is grateful that Ben will be still be offering his executive assistance in this process to ensure that the new Chairperson has access to all the knowledge and information available to ensure they can continue Fisher Football Club’s progress on and off the field.

Further details of the Chairperson vacancy will be published following the Board Meeting. Other opportunities to become involved with the club, including volunteer roles as part of Fisher’s Matchday Committee, will be published later this week on fisherfc.org