Volunteers are the key to Dockers success

By Mohamed Hamza

Erith Town fan Michael Avery is loving life at Thamesmead as the club settles into what promises to be a historic season.

The Dockers finished fourth in last season’s Southern Counties East League and earned promotion to the Pitching In Isthmian League in dramatic fashion, overcoming Corinthian in a penalty shootout following a 1-1 draw after extra-time.

And with their first-ever season in the Pitching In Isthmian League already underway, Avery (in the centre of our photograph), who works as Erith Town’s Head of Youth and Community, is relishing watching the side go from strength to strength both on and off the pitch.

He said: “We’ve gone from a club that had just had families and friends watching and the occasional man with his son to a team that has nearly 200 fans every single week. A lot of those are made up of children and families.  

“The proudest thing for me was how the youth and community have gone involved with Erith Town on a regular basis.  

“We get good numbers but it’s every week. We had a good time in SCEFL (Southern Counties East Football League) and there were some good teams, good rivalries and good games but we’ve gone on to the next level.

"It really feels like it with things like the travel, brand guidelines and how you have to do certain bits and pieces by certain times.  

“For example, referees need escorting on and off the pitch at half-time and full-time and we didn’t have to do that last year but this year we do. 

"We have to make sure we’re connected to the football web pages cos that’s what the league loves to use- and all the things that come with it.” 

Avery is one of countless volunteers who play integral roles at non-league clubs across the country, with opportunities to get involved now available through the Pitching In Volunteer Hub.

Through entering their postcode, individuals can locate volunteering opportunities at nearby clubs and discover more details about which roles are available.

For Avery, volunteers are pivotal to the sustained fortunes of football clubs at all levels, serving as the bedrock for any success and acclaim enjoyed on the pitch.  

He added: “The higher up you go at any level, the more requirements you need to fill and the more volunteers you need. Volunteering’s the lifeblood of non-league football.

“Without volunteers, non-league is nothing, not just at Erith Town but at any football club. Seeing people have that passion for football and for non-league football and the growth of it, that just shows how vital it is and it’s amazing to see the work everyone puts in.”