ONE OF Whitchurch Alport's longest serving members, Andy Hough, will step down this month after more than a decade at the club.

On May 23, Alport will hold their AGM, Andy's last as a club officer.

In his many years with the club, Andy has held nearly every position, including chairman, treasurer, and his current post of secretary, as well the more hands-on roles such as maintenance, ground works and working behind the bar.

Ahead of his official departure, Andy says he is proud of the club's rise over the last decade.

"I have been at the Club for more than ten years now and I would like to think that I have been instrumental in generating its rise from a quite lowly club playing in the Shropshire County Mercian League, to now playing at its highest ever position in non-League football," said Andy.

"We currently play in the Premier Division of the North West Counties League. We are at step five in the National League System.

"It is inspiring to see that the quality of play is substantially higher than that played at Yockings Park some six years ago.

"I am pleased to be one of the small group of club officials that met with The FA at Wembley and succeed in getting the vacancy in the North West Counties League.

"This was a major leap forward from the Saturday football played at Yockings Park at the time."

After many successful years, Andy believes that now is the right time to step down.

"In my time with the club, I have held the chairman, treasurer and secretary positions, along with cleaning, maintenance, ground works, behind the bar – the list goes on," added Andy.

"In carrying out these roles, I firmly believe that I have helped create the solid infrastructure that has seen promotion in the league, along with very credible Shropshire County Cup victories.

"Carrying out my current role as club secretary is very demanding and requires total commitment to the role almost every single day throughout the year, let alone each season.

"The club's progression since joining the North West Counties League in 2015 is staggering and I believe that we will see continued growth in stature and achieve many rewards both on and off the field of play.

"I have decided that now is the right time to step down from this key position.

"Our Annual General Meeting is to be held on Sunday, May 23, at the KMJ Stadium, Yockings Park.

"This will be my last meeting as a club officer."

Andy has also thanked the club's supporters, sponsors and everyone involved with the club.

"I would like to say a huge thank you to our sponsors, large or small, without whom we may not have achieved so much in a short period of time," Andy added.

"Your generosity is so appreciated.

"Then of course we have our supporters.

"Our attendance figures are consistently amongst the highest in the league and indeed across the country at our level.

"The support we get is absolutely amazing, full of banter, singing and the occasional moan when we don't quite get it right and it is there at every home game.

Finally, I would like to take this opportunity to thank all the people connected with Whitchurch Alport Football Club, past and present.

"What a tremendous group of volunteers you are, all passionately representing our club in the best possible way, not only for football, but also for our local community.

"They have been great to work with."