Ives Co-Chair issues rallying call
Get Behind Us! That’s the message from Andrew Dunn, the Co-Chairman of St Ives Town Football Club as the curtain prepares to go up on the 2026/27 season.
The new campaign will be the 140th season for the Ives who are preparing for life at step four for the first time in over 10 years following their relegation from the Southern League Premier Division Central. But despite the disappointment of the previous campaign, Dunn believes that the closed season has seen a big shift in momentum as supporters buy into a new era for a club that was formed in 1887.
“Last season was really tough,” said Dunn. “We had a nightmare run of form on the field after Christmas whilst off the field, we knew that funding was being withdrawn from the first team budget, so we had to get new investment. Despite our best efforts, that investment never came. Therefore, we’ve had to make some tough financial decisions which have included reducing the playing budget by approx. 50%. We didn’t want to do this, but we had no choice. But it just wasn’t with the budget; we’ve had to do a complete financial rebuild across all areas of the club”.
Despite the ongoing rebuilding, Dunn believes there are signs of green shoots of recovery. “It is no understatement when I say the board and several others have worked relentlessly on this over the summer. Day by day things have started to improve. It’s been incredibly hard as we’ve had bills to pay and you are always looking at what expenditure is coming up. I remember towards the end of last season looking at a list of payments that were due during the summer and remember thinking, how are we going to do this? There was things like insurance, kit, utility costs, bar stock and you started thinking about players’ wages and you also have to allow for the unexpected. In our case, it was a whole set of new fire extinguishers which we had to find the money for. But we’ve got through it and things are beginning to move in the right direction. Sponsorship revenue is good; there’s an uptick in season ticket sales and our matchday revenue during pre-season has been excellent and I feel there is a refreshed outlook with new interest and a proper feel-good vibe around the place”.
Dunn is keen to heap credit on the Ives supporters and volunteers who have all pulled together during what has been a difficult period. “They are incredible. Just amazing really. I feel everyone is beginning to buy into the narrative that we are all in this together. To me, there was no better example of this when I walked into a ground improvement working party one baking hot Saturday morning in June. I was warned by some in advance that only about half a dozen would be there, but I walked through the door to see over 20 people with paintbrushes in their hands painting the clubhouse. To be honest, I was blown away with it, but it also told me that people were engaging with what we want to achieve and be part of this journey to rebuild the club”.
In some respects, the journey (or operation rebuild as Dunn calls it) is only just starting, and it’s one he never really thought he would take on. “Look, I was just the media director and after Paul resigned all directors were summonsed to an emergency board meeting one dark, cold Sunday night in October. Half an hour later I got back in my car after being asked to become Co-Chairman of the club alongside Mark Taylor, who was previously Commercial Director. It was all a bit mad and surreal but given the circumstances of how we took the job on, Mark and I have just literally thrown everything at it. We couldn’t stand still as the club needed financial stability, and whilst there has been progress with this, we are not there yet and have loads more to do to get to what I would call the ‘turn around’ point. We have built a reasonably solid financial base over the summer, and I would like to thank our sponsors for helping us to achieve that. But there is lots more to do and once we are in a stronger position, we can look at some ground improvement projects together with grants that can assist with the funding. I know what needs to be done. New toilets, a new surface in the car park, new clubhouse etc. But we cannot do it now as the money simply isn’t there. We need to get our house in order first.”
Then there is communication, which is a big thing for the Co-Chairman. “I love communicating with our supporters. I feel that it is a responsibility of mine to walk round the ground at each home game and speak to as many people as I can. I’ve got to know so many more of our supporters by doing that exercise. I want them to feel part of it, and to know they can speak to me about anything. I listen to everything they say as you need to know what the fans are thinking, and you need to address their concerns. It’s pointless hiding yourself away in the Directors Box as that achieves absolutely nothing. In my opinion, you must get out there on matchday, be visible, hands on, and offer a real connection with the fans.”
At the top of the Co-Chairman’s priority list this season is to try and build the fan base. “I’ve been involved in football for many years, and I know you don’t go from an average attendance of 200 to 250 overnight and 250 doesn’t become 300 soon after that. You have to work, and work hard at it, and understand why our attendances are what they are. To this end, we will be increasing our matchday mascot programme this season. This has to be done as we need more youngsters involved in the club, and the hope is they enjoy our matchday experience and that they and their families and friends will come again”.
So, with the Ives about to embark on life at step four, what does the Co-Chairman think about activity on the pitch this season? “I feel it would be completely ridiculous to say that after reducing the playing budget by 50% we want to win the league this year, but the squad are optimistic and want to push for the play-offs, and that’s absolutely fine with me. But equally everyone also knows how tough it is going to be. There are some big spenders and Carlton, who we host on Saturday, were runners up last year so they will be tough opposition to start with. But everyone is looking forward to it, there is a fantastic vibe around the place and my message to the local community is the doors are open for you, so come down and see a game. This is a club that has been at the heartbeat of the local community for 140 years, and it’s a club for the people of St Ives so get behind us and be part this journey together”.
The Ives begin their PitchingIN Northern Premier League Midlands campaign at home to Carlton Town on Saturday at the Quattro-Tech Westwood Road with a 3:00pm kick-off.
