AN INTERVIEW WITH NIGEL BOURNE, Chairman, Tunbridge Wells FC

At the end of October last year, Tunbridge Wells’ Chairman Nigel Bourne, backed by the handful of existing committee members at the time, made a tough decision to change the first team management in a bid to improve the fortunes of the ailing club. The move brought criticism from some quarters, and the run of poor results that followed during the rebuilding phases might

well have had even the hardiest of supporters asking questions.

However, with the season nearing its end, and the club now sitting comfortably in mid-table, those who have persevered at Culverden have been rewarded with a side that truly embodies what TWFC represents.

“It was my decision to sack Martin Farnie earlier in the season, and it was my decision to appoint Mike Robbins, Martin Larkin and to retain Alan Rogers,” Bourne told www.tunbridgewellsfc.co.uk. “Their jobs were made harder by the fact that some of the players left in support of the former manager, leaving the new management team with a squad of bare bones, and Mike's own reserve team players. But they have done a fantastic job over the months to turn around a struggling club and we’re now in a much better position, with more points than we’ve had for a few years. My decision to change over the management has been justified entirely.”

The fact that Tunbridge Wells has earned itself a mid-table spot this season doesn’t mean Bourne and his committee’s ambitions for the club have reached fulfilment, though. There is a long way to go before that happens. “Look at the performances in recent weeks,” remarks Bourne. “We taught Herne Bay a lesson at their place when we beat them 3-0, and we have shown we can hold our own against any other side in the Kent League - and that includes champions Thamesmead. I will be looking for this side to be pushing for the top places next year.”

It’s not uncommon to read about clubs in turmoil because the expectations of the management and committee don’t match up. However, Bourne is keen to point out that this won’t happen at Culverden.

“I have my personal ambitions for the club to break into the top four next season, and yes, I’ll be disappointed if it doesn’t happen - but there is an agreement at this club. The committee doesn’t interfere with the way the management handle the side, and the management don’t interfere in committee affairs. The committee is fully behind the management team here.”

Whether the target for next season is top six or top four, it will not happen without some deliberate building towards achieving those goals. Bourne identifies the formula for success on the following basis: “£100 extra per week on the players’ expenses budget should ensure a top six place. £200-£250 per week extra would enable us to push into the top three. Obviously, it’s not just a matter of money though - and we have plans in place for our facilities right now.

“In the summer, work will start on the pitch. It will be verti-drained. This involves a roller with pins being dragged across the surface - which will pull up strips of turf 1ft deep. That will be filled with sand to help with the drainage. In addition - probably for the following summer - our first team coach Carlos Lopez is connected with Arsenal, and if the money is in place, along with our groundsman, Del Farnie, Carlos’ contact will come down to Culverden and we’ll completely re-do the playing surface.

“Another area targeted for improvement is the training facilities”, Bourne continued. “We’re looking at installing a single astroturf training pitch behind the dugouts. Failing that, contingency plans are in place to rent a training surface.

“At the start of November, when the issues of ownership were uncertain, the club was a tired, worn out place to be. Now we have a better set-up, fantastic management, and have the potential for better facilities - all in the last six months. All this means we can attract better players. We have lots of players who want to join right now. But we are in a very strong position, because the players we have now can achieve the success we’re looking for - they’ve all done a superb job for us this season.”

It’s not uncommon for clubs to talk up their future prospects, when the reality is that no capital is in place to achieve them. It’s happened at Culverden before. But this time, the club looks to be pro-active in finding support from local businesses, with some new ideas on how to draw it.

“The committee is holding a curry night, where we’ll host local businessmen. We have glossy brochures (supplied by Printwells) which will be handed out. They incorporate a club history, information about what is involved in the current running of the club, as well as our five-year ambitions. We’ll be inviting local businesses to be a part of an exciting future at the club.

“There’s a form at the back of the brochure offering sponsorship opportunities from just £5, through to far more prominent involvement and backing - such as assisting with construction of new changing facilities (including female changing), clubhouse extension, new stands, playing costs, training facilities and more. There’s a diagram of our plans for Culverden, and in due course this will be displayed on the website and in the local press.

 
"A further way of moving forward is for the club to become a Limited Company," Bourne adds. "This may happen in the close season, and while a name hasn't been decided upon yet, this club would move away from being committee-run, and have a board of directors instead. They would still be voted in by the members at the club, but it would serve to sharpen-up the way things are run here."

Talk of five-year ambitions naturally begs questions of what the side will look like, and how recognizable it will be to today’s side. Bourne is quite clear, “We have told Mike Robbins we will commit to him for five years initially. Mike has assembled a good, young side - one that we believe can form the basis of a side for several years. When we appointed Mike, the side was like a broken toy, but it’s been repaired, and now offers so much potential, potential that we will hopefully enjoy the benefits from for years to come - and we’re very happy with that!”

And beyond the immediate five-year plan? “For the start of next season, we’re building up our local links. We’ll be fielding youth sides from U13s up to adult, completely controlled and run by the club. The U13 side will be an Elite side - not just there, making up the numbers in its league, but drawing on the best youth the area has to offer. These will become the future of Tunbridge Wells Football Club,” Bourne concluded.

Thus, the club moves into the summer months, not to doze off until rudely awoken by the first pre-season friendly, but to plan, prepare and execute strategies that ensure this time next year bolder targets are met and exceeded on the pitch, and off it. Rest assured, behind the scenes, it’ll be a busy few months at Culverden.

END OF SEASON THANKS:

Nigel Bourne was keen to thank some of the un-sung heroes around the club for their hard work over Season 2007/08. Among them, he singled out:

Del Farnie and John who have worked tirelessly on the pitch throughout the year, and have carried out a number of odd jobs around the ground; Nigel Valli for the repairs he’s carried out around Culverden; former Chairman and lifetime president Norman Sales, who has continued to work around the ground; Foresters FC for the invaluable ball-boy service they have provided throughout the season; Andy Hall who has taken on management of the clubhouse, and done a magnificent job turning a loss into a gain; The Management team,  committee and Secretary for all of the off-the-pitch work; and last, but not least the sponsors and supporters whose backing has kept the club running.

CURRENT COMMITTEE

The following is a list of TWFC committee members, and their responsibilities at the club. All have re-committed to the club for next season.

Nigel Bourne - Chairman

In addition to heading up the committee, Nigel assists Gary Jeffries with commercial activities at the club.

Phil Dowrich - Vice Chairman/Grants Officer

Phil is in charge of bringing in grants at the club to enable it to move forward. Former chairman of Foresters FC, Phil will take over as Chairman at the club once Nigel has succeeded in the initial regeneration of Tunbridge Wells FC.

Gary Jeffries - Commercial Activities

Manager at local printing firm Printwells, Gary is dedicated to strengthening the links with local businesses and generating revenue for the club.

Lesley Pendlebury-Bowe - Ideas/Community Activities

Barry Whitlock - Match day and Club Secretary

Andy Hall - Clubhouse Manager

Dave Knell - Match day Steward