Folk behind the scenes

This section looks at all those people behind the scenes; from officials, to supporters, to those who cook the sausages … in fact all those unsung volunteers that make a successful club tick. Please scroll down for regular updates.

1 Sara Smith; 2 Ian Holloway; 3 Paul Carter; 4 Bill Sheppard; 5 Stanley Donald

1 Sara Smith

Born under the Virgo star sign, eleven-year-old Sara is to be seen at home and away matches with her parents Maxine and David. A keen reader, and always willing to learn, she hails from Norwich and is a Manchester United supporter.

Some likes and dislikes: Sara enjoys going out and having a laugh with her mates, favourite read is Twilight and for music she likes R&B, Rap, Dance and Pop. Film and TV choices are Twilight again and I Carly while Kenya is quoted as her favourite holiday destination. Top drink is Pepsi and favourite food is steak. So, what is Sara’s main dislike? Well, it is birds!

A very creative young person, Sara intends to progress to university and study performing arts. “I love singing, dancing and acting and I want to appear in different musicals in the West End.”

Back to football, her own ambition in the game is ‘to score’; while when asked what she would like Bromley Green to do more of, the response is quite emphatic – “To win more!”  I think we will all go with that one Sara. Her favourite premiership player is Michael Owen:  ”…he is the best player we have…” and her final comment on the Green is “They are a great club”.

2 Ian Holloway

Perhaps the best way to begin Ian’s profile is to look at question 7 on his bio-information form. It asks for ‘previous clubs’. He answers ‘none’. There you have it really in a nutshell of what makes him so special and invaluable to the club. Few people in the game will have won what Ian has as a player and manager and yet he has done it with total commitment and loyalty to one club through the good and sparse times. Today of course he is a member of the Executive Committee and in charge of bar operations.

A Gemini, and Spurs fanatic, 50-year-old Ian was born locally and continues a family line of local legends in late father Ken [whose last club in his fifties was the Green for whom he played in a cup final at Essella Park as his last swan song] and of course brother Gary whose achievements over two decades surely rank him as the greatest captain ever to grace local football. Ian is his own man however and in his schooldays he made the move from Clive Hollyer’s South Ashford Youth Club to the Green. Clive had done a great job but the boys needed a proper football club to call their own and they came with Peter Knott to join an innovative youth policy at Carters Field that was to provide the foundation for unprecedented enjoyment and success for hosts of youngsters over many seasons.  Today, Ian’s son, Ryan, is starting to fulfil his potential after enduring years of being compared with his grandfather, father and uncle and again his loyalty is unquestioned. It has been tough on Ryan but he is a Green boy through and through and will emerge all the stronger in the long run.

The rest as they say is history. By April 1976 Ian was captaining our Under 16s to the Ashford & District Minor League Cup, beating Dymchurch, again at Essella Park alongside such ‘names’ as John Barton, Chris Watson, Alvin Gigg, Micky Owen and Joe Valler. He was to develop into a fine ambassador and the future brought much success both as player and manager. Ian’s record of 380 senior appearances with 35 goals only tells part of the story.

Brought up on McEwans, Ian has many memories but he knows we have to do it all over again, to move on and fight to get the spirit of those old days back; indeed his ambition in the game is simply ‘For Bromley Green to win the lot’. His major like is either a large bar-b-que or a family party while his chief dislike is rudeness. Some favourites: Film/TV is One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest/House; music is soul, motown or reggae; holiday destination – Mexico; and for food it is Indian or a Sunday roast.

In recent years, Ian has been honoured with a Vice Presidency and last season won the ultimate accolade of the Bill Mickelborough Memorial Shield for Clubman of the Year. “I still have that desire for us to win everything…I would like to see all the teams gel more,” he says.

Editor’s update: Ian resigned from the Executive during early 2012

 3 Paul Carter

Paul quietly goes about his business, travelling to away as well as home matches, taking zillions of action photos that bring this website to life. However, he is a multi-talented man and has for the past 20 years played in a very successful Scar band. Paul is a vital member of our club and along with Derek makes sure we have the best photo coverage in local football.

 

4 Bill Sheppard

Bill is our [what he likes to call] ‘senior Vice-President’ … what you mean Bill is you are the oldest! Bill has assisted many Green managers over the years and until quite recently was always willing to run the line. His previous clubs include South Willesborough Invicta, Hamstreet and Cricketers. Bill still comes to support when work commitments allow and he enjoyed renewing old acquaintances at the recent 80th bash.

5 Stanley Donald

Glaswegian-born Stan is of course well-known in local football circles and we have been fortunate enough to have him as our chairman [and often Secretary] since he succeeded Chris Dorsett back in the Carters Field days. Chris had a rest as President but we are getting him back involved where he belongs now! Stan has been involved at committee level with various competitions, including the Kent County League, but now restricts himself mainly to the local Charity Trophy and the Weald of Kent.

Sixty-two in August of this year, Stan comes from under the Libra star, and joined Bromley Green in 1974 with his previous clubs including Park Amateurs (Glasgow), Stanhay, Mersham and Kent Paper Company. Famous for his long back passes [before the back pass rule came into being] Stan enjoyed being a member of some very talented squads as success followed success and a steady climb up the football ladder was confirmed as we triumphed to become the final winners of the old Kent Amateur League before taking our place as founder members of the Kent County League. Only really interested in Saturday football, Stan made 153 appearances for the Green and netted 14 goals while his honours at the club include Long Service Awards and deservedly the ultimate accolade of Clubman of the Year. Concerning league and cup honours, Stan modestly says “There are too many to mention”.

Not surprisingly, Stan cites Glasgow Rangers as his major club as a supporter ["Simply the best" he claims] but most of his energy is concentrated on continuing to serve Bromley Green and to see the great times return. Some likes are Guinness, cider, films, golf [he often refers to the home of golf - St Andrews which is also his favourite holiday spot] whereas dislikes include two-faced people, drivers who don’t use indicators, sherry and bigots. Favourite read is the Dan Brown books and top film Jean de Florette/Manon de Source. For music, preferences include Tamla Motown, Beatles and Van Morrison; drinks=Irn Bru or Bacardi and Coke; food=Mince and Tatties and “…my own home made soup”.

Stan considers today’s top players are overpaid and prima donnas. At the Green, he simply wants us to keep winning, enjoying ourselves and as soon as possible re-introduce youth sides. Like all the club’s senior officers, Stan is totally loyal to the cause and appreciates all the hard work everyone puts in. “Our club is on the up again, long may it continue!”