NON-LEAGUE NEWS: A place in the promotion play-offs has been secured by Croydon FC, but fans were surprised by the timing of the resignations of two members of the board with three, possibly four, big games still to come at the climax of the season
Four years’ service: Gavin English has stepped down as chair of Croydon FC
It was around the same time that Crystal Palace were securing a place in their first European competition semi-final last night that their non-league neighbours in South Norwood, Croydon FC, were beginning their search for a new club chairman.
Gavin English announced on social media that he was stepping down with immediate effect as chairman and director of the Croydon Arena-based club, just as the Trams have clinched a place in the end-of-season promotion play-offs, with their best chance in eight years of moving up from Step 6.
In an exclusive interview with Inside Croydon, English today maintained that his decision is based entirely on his work and family circumstances – he works at an independent school in Southwark – and that he is confident that the right people are in place at Croydon FC to maintain the progress made since his arrival at the club in 2022.
“Four years is a long time,” English told iC. “It’s hard work leading a non-league club.”
During his time on the board at Croydon, English has overseen the growth of the club’s youth programme, of which he says he is “really proud”. At one point recently, there were 170 youth players on Croydon’s books. One such player, Errol Mundle-Smith, scored in his first game for the Trams, aged 16, and has since joined Norwich City.
Trams product: now with Norwich City, Errol Mundle-Smith made his England U20s debut last month
Last month, Mundle-Smith made his England under-20s debut.
“But that’s just one player,” English said. “We have dozens who have come though and had their first experience of playing senior football with us. We have helped to give them that opportunity.”
English also strengthened ties with local community groups and charities, including Croydon Mencap, the council’s fostering service and with the South Norwood Community Kitchen. “Those community links will remain, I’m sure. It’s an important part of what we do,” English said.
English said that the re-formed Croydon women’s team “are doing great things”, and also said he was “impressed and in awe” of the club’s many volunteers, “who continue to do so much to help serve the community we are part of”.
In his formal statement issued last night, English said he had reached his decision “after careful consideration”.
He said, “It has been a privilege to serve the club, to play a small part in its history and to work alongside so many committed people across the senior and youth sections.
Final games: Croydon appear safe in a promotion play-off spot with two matches to play
“We all know that football at this level depends on the time, energy and care of volunteers, coaches, players and their families, and I have seen that up close throughout my time here… I feel blessed to be able to call many of them my friends…
“I have no doubt the club will continue to move forward positively under the stewardship of the board who are well-placed to see the season out as they plan for next year’s campaign, hopefully in Step 5!”
Adding a note of thanks to all concerned, English used his usual Trams sign off: “Ding! Ding!”
The announcement came ahead of today’s 73rd anniversary of the founding of the club, originally known as Croydon Amateurs.
Today, Croydon are fifth in the Southern Counties East League first division, nine points clear of the sixth-placed team, the play-off place seemingly secure with two games of the regular season remaining: tomorrow’s trip to fourth-placed Lordswood, ahead of the match with already-relegated Welling at Croydon Arena on April 25.
The promotion play-off semi-finals are to be played the following week, with the final to be played on Saturday May 2 – when Croydon, if they get through, likely concede home advantage to their rivals by dint of their final league position.
In an official club statement issued by the board at Croydon FC last night following English’s surprise announcement, they also confirmed the resignation as a director of Kevin Molloy, while promising “some exciting updates”.
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“Work and family circumstances”? It can’t just be that. If those were the only reasons, he could hang on for another few weeks until the end of the season ?!