Arlesey Town have confirmed that chairman Dave Kitson is standing down at the Spartan South Midlands League Premier Division club.

The former Reading striker, who began his career with Arlesey, says business commitments and his school of football mean he needs to spend more time closer to Berkshire.

In his column for the Comet's sister paper, the Reading Chronicle, Kitson explained his decision.

He said: "My association with Arlesey is a longstanding one. I grew up on the other side of the farmer's field that separates the stadium from my parents’ house/

"I watched them become the smallest club ever to win the FA Vase at Wembley in 1995, and I played in the first team for two years before being signed by Cambridge United in 2001.

"I always wanted the opportunity to run the club for two reasons.

"Firstly, because I owe it to Arlesey to try my hardest to improve the club.  

"Secondly, to cut my teeth in a position where my own ideas around running a football club can be implemented.  In that regard it has been one of the most important and rewarding football chapters of my life.

 

 

"For example, youth team football is extremely important to me, community clubs especially should always strive to create teams for anybody that wants to play.  

"But saying and doing are two different things, because there is a problem in football that permeates the entire league structure and becomes more acute the lower down you go - money.

 

"Each of the nine youth teams I’ve put in place from a standing start costs £12,000 a year to run.  

"In spite of that hurdle we took on three girls teams at the start of this season and seeing them become part of the Arlesey family is something that gives everybody at the club a great deal of pride.

 

 

"Arlesey is a village. In fact, we claim to be the longest village in the world, certainly in the UK, so raising money is a challenge.  

"When I arrived, the club was losing money hand over fist, attendances were down and there were no youth teams.

"Together with the committee, I came up with a strategy to help the club become sustainable well into the future, it all hinged on a brand new 3G pitch.

"Our 3G planning application continues to gather momentum with sponsors and subsidies helping to pay for it.  Selling time slots on a year round surface enables the club to make money from private hire as well as expanding its youth teams.  More youth teams associated with the club means more families which means more fans and more ticket and bar revenue.  

"Build it and they will come.

"In readiness for this, the club embarked on an extensive renovation of its outdated clubhouse and now has the most spectacular, modern facility anywhere in the surrounding area.

"I’ve learned a huge amount during my time as chairman of Arlesey.  Just like my football career, I climb the steps in front of me as and when I’m ready to take them.  

"Everybody is always in such a rush to get to the summit of football, but for me, learning about the game from the ground up is absolutely priceless."

 

 

 

 

The New Lamb Meadow club have given him their thanks for the work done in the last few years.

They said: "We can confirm that Dave Kitson has resigned as chairman, effective from the end of the 2023-24 season. 

"​Across his two spells at the club, both as a player at the start of the century and more recently as chairman, Dave has shown a remarkable level of loyalty and commitment to the club.

"His involvement with Arlesey Town has produced some astounding progress off the pitch.

"We now boast one of the most modern clubhouses in local non-league football, we're proud to offer football to multiple boys and girls youth teams, we have a leading online ticketing system and we are getting ready for the installation of new LED floodlights. 

​"Unfortunately, a change in personal and professional circumstances means that Dave is no longer able to commit the time and attention required to lead the club onto the next stage of our journey.

"​The ATFC committee would like to put on record our gratitude to Dave for his leadership and friendship over the past few years, and we look forward to welcoming him back to New Lamb Meadow to watch Arlesey over a pint of Guinness and with a little less responsibility."

The club aren't seeing the back of the 44-year-old altogether though.

They added: "We're pleased to confirm that Dave's involvement in the club won't be ending here, with him accepting a club ambassador role which will involve flying the Arlesey Town flag across his multiple areas of involvement in professional and non-league football."

Anyone interested in become the new chair of the club should email club secretary James Harding on jpharding93@gmail.com or by calling 07534 994594.

On the field, the Blues have continued their revival under new manager Tommy Cooney, with a 1-0 win over Stansted their latest success.

Isiaq Olukorede Araba got the only goal of the game in the second half, a third win in the last five league games and one which has lifted them above the Airportmen to 15th.