A FAST-GROWING local football club has shared its ambition to get people involved after transitioning from a pub team to a community club in the last 18 months.
Acomb FC, previously Beagle FC, were originally founded in 2018 by current club captain Lewis Smith with links to the Beagle pub in Acomb.
They enjoyed plenty of success under the identity of Beagle FC, winning titles and adding silverware to the cabinet, before the ambitious current chairman took over with a plan to put the football club at the heart of the community.
Chris Haigh, from Acomb, took charge 18 months ago as chairman and with the help of Mark Dawson, they have spearheaded the rebrand of the football club, which was done to allow Acomb to have teams at a youth level, which is not allowed when associated with a pub.
Since he took over, Chris has successfully introduced a new under-7’s team, who in their first season since forming, stormed to the Ebor under-7’s title with the chairman also as their Head Coach.
Chris has introduced a new committee which is largely family run, with himself, his brother Mark as Head of Football, his sister-in-law Kate as treasurer, and his other brother Wayne all heavily involved at the club.
They are joined by Dawson as secretary and Sean Mahoney as football advisor, who have both been integral to the transformation of Acomb FC.
With one son playing at junior level for Acomb FC, another at senior level alongside his two nephews, Chris reassured that the rise of the club is not a flash in the pan – but that they are here to stay.
“18 months ago, I took over and we rebranded last season as Acomb FC,” Chris told The Press.
“We started an under-7’s, the under-7’s then went on this year to win the league in their first season, which was the under-7’s Ebor League.
“We’ve brought in new players for the first team, so other than the couple of old guys who were there originally, it’s a brand new squad.
“This year we started off very slow as the players were getting used to playing with each other and finding their rhythm and cohesion, and after Christmas, something clicked with the players.
“We went on to finish sixth in the league, beat some of the top teams in the league, so credit to those guys.
“If we had had a good start, we could have been challenging for the title ourselves.
“We’ve gone from a one team pub team, and within 18 months, we’re now one star accreditation and are recognised by the FA as a proper football club now.
“Our plan to move forward is to add more youth teams and a reserves for the senior side, and then obviously build from there.
“My goal is that when I leave, which will be in many years time, I leave something not just for a legacy, but also for the community.
“That is one of the main reasons we’re doing it, to give an opportunity to young kids to either choose rugby over the road at York Acorn, or come and play football at Acomb FC.
“In return, it’ll hopefully make the Acomb area much better.
“Hopefully it would help crime rates go down, stop anti-social behaviour, if there’s something there for the kids.
“That’s our main aim really.”
Chris has been a jack of all trades with the club, running both the first-team and under-7’s, as well as acting as Chairman on the committee.
With exciting plans to introduce a reserves team, an under-19’s team and more youth teams, Chris is now on the look out for new coaches and players to get involved.
He added: “We’re advertising on socials for any coaches.
“That’s if they are at a team where they currently aren’t happy at, or coaches who are looking to start up and want to fly under our flag.
“We’re hoping to start an under-19’s and we’re in the process of starting that out, and hopefully we’ll have a reserves team at senior level too.
“Any age group, we’re going into under-8’s next year from the under-7’s, and we’ve had a fair few people come and say they want to bring their child to Acomb FC.
“Hopefully we’re able to start a second under-8’s team as well, so all players, all coaches, anyone who is even looking to get into coaching – get in contact.”
Acomb have secured sponsorship with Mirror Like Surface Creations, Miles Better Construction, Mint Finish Plastering, The Beagle Pub, York Sports CIC, Pizza Pan, Multi Web Marketing and Odd Job Dad since forming, and remain on the hunt for any local support from the community.
The club are also in discussion with City of York Council to acquire a lease for the land at Acomb FC, which would allow them to receive FA funding: “We’re currently working with the council at the minute to try and get a lease for the land, so then we could get FA funding.
“Then we could make the playing surface much better, then we can get the funding for the equipment.”
For those interested in any coaching availability or wanting to get involved, you can reach the club at acombfc@gmail.com, or on Facebook at Acomb FC.
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