Non-League Volunteers: Shining A Light on the True Unsung Heroes

For most couples living in the UK, a Saturday morning might include a lie-in and a late start to the weekend after a long week of work. For Pete and Carol Coath, however, a typical Saturday involves an early start at they prepare for their different roles volunteering on a home matchday at their local non-league team, Saffron Walden Town FC.

The husband-and-wife duo are part of a growing team of volunteers at Saffron Walden, who currently play in the 9^th tier Essex Senior League. The club relies on the work of volunteers of all different roles, from grounds staff to the club secretary, catering to bar staff, and everyone in between. By the time the full-time whistle blows, some staff members have been at the ground for more than five hours, ensuring that the experience is as smooth and enjoyable as possible for match-going supporters.

“I’ve always been involved in football”, says Carol, who, along with her husband, has been volunteering at Saffron Walden’s Catons Lane ground since moving to the area just over ten years ago. “My eldest son played football up to quite a high non-league level, so I usually followed him wherever he went. We ended up at Enfield, which is where I met Pete.”

Pete’s story is similarly rooted in his lifelong love of the game. “I used to go and watch Edmonton, my local team, every week,” he recalls, taking a sip of tea. “Sadly the club have disbanded now, but it was there I got interested in the matchday programme and eventually became Enfield Town’s programme editor. One of the committee members there ran a printing company, so it was quite professionally done, and I ended up winning awards for my programme. [Non-league football is] all about people pitching in.”

The Coaths are just two of an estimated 50,000 volunteers at 1,800 clubs in various roles across the UK’s non-league football pyramid. These volunteers contribute millions of hours of work between them annually, often with little recognition or reward beyond the satisfaction of knowing they’ve helped their local community in keeping their local club alive.  Unlike the paid staff at elite professional clubs, the people who fill these positions at non-league clubs do so not for financial gain, but out of love for the sport and a desire to contribute to a community.

Moreover, due to the recent increase in coverage of non-league football, in part thanks to the rise of social media, volunteers are being recognised more than ever. The social media channel The Non-League Bible run an annual ‘Volunteer of the Year’ vote – which was won by Chester FC media assistant and maintenance staff member Rio Doherty in 2024, highlighting the growing recognition for those who dedicate so much behind the scenes.

While fans may be quick to sing the praises of their star striker who scored a hat-trick in his most recent match, or the goalkeeper who saved a penalty last week, or the manager who recently won the division’s Manager of the Month award, the fact that the matchday experience is created almost single-handedly by volunteers working behind the scenes is often forgotten. Volunteers are the lifeblood of non-league football. Yet, despite their critical role, they often go unnoticed, their efforts hidden in the shadow of the players and coaching staff.

In my years of going to non-league football, the last two as a regular volunteer, I have learned to appreciate the chaotic world of non-league football for the work that goes on behind the scenes. While the average match-goer sees part-time footballers high-fiving cheering crowd members after a victory on a Saturday, it is easy to forget that a positive atmosphere and matchday experience is created almost single-handedly by volunteers in different areas.

“Non-league clubs wouldn’t be able to function without volunteers,” says Carol, whose primary role is to run the club shop on a matchday at Saffron Walden’s Catons Lane ground, where she sells club merchandise and interacts with supporters. “Other than the players, the only paid staff at a football club are food and bar staff.”

Pete picks up the story: “If a club was going to pay someone for their services, I would say the stewards and the grounds staff should be paid. I’ve always thought that the grounds staff are the most important figures at a club. They’re the ones getting up early every Saturday to make sure the game’s on, and without them the games wouldn’t be on.

“People turn up every game and do odd jobs like get the balls that go out of the ground. It makes us tick.”

As the landscape of non-league football evolves, so does the role of volunteers. The digital age has brought new responsibilities, including a need for the club’s social media accounts to be managed. In the case of Pete, whose matchday responsibility at Catons Lane is filming the first team’s matches and posting the highlights onto YouTube, this has recently been extended to dealing with the livestreaming of matches.

“More recently, I’ve started to stream my videos into the clubhouse during the game, so fans inside won’t miss any of the action,” he explains. “When I do my videos, I have always filmed in short, sharp bursts instead of having to keep the camera rolling for 90 minutes. It keeps me disciplined now and is demanding but rewarding.”

So, what would they say to people who are considering volunteering at their local club?

“Do it!” Pete says, with enthusiasm.

Carol agrees. “If you like football, you cannot beat going to a non-league football club. People are friendly, even the opposition supporters before a match. You cheer on your respective sides during the game and shake hands and have a beer after.”

Non-league football clubs may not have the resources that top-flight clubs are blessed with, but they have something more valuable, in a dedicated team of volunteers who come together for the community.

The next time you attend a match at your local non-league club, remember that before, during and after every match, a team of volunteers work tirelessly to ensure every matchday runs smoothly and creates a pleasant atmosphere for the fans. Without them, there would be no grassroots football, and their efforts deserve to be commended.