New Newark Town chair Sarah Robinson on taking on the role, the growth of the club in the community and her long-term dream
The first female chair of Newark Town takes on the role with the club in great shape.
Sarah Robinson steps up after seven years as vice-chair at a time when Newark are thriving on all fronts.
The men’s first team are fighting for a play-off place in their first season after promotion to the United Counties League Premier Division North.
They played one of the biggest games in their history when they were knocked out of the FA Vase on penalties by Daventry at the YMCA on Saturday.
Youth football and girls and ladies’ football are also flying, with the club firmly at the heart of the community.
Robinson has played her part in Newark’s development and is more than ready for the top job.
“I’ve been the vice-chair for seven years, so I’ve done a lot of stuff that’s expected of someone who’s at the head of something and I love it because I’m an organiser,” she said.
“I don’t know everything about football but I know how to organise and engage with people, and I think that’s important when you’re running a community club.
“It’s a big job but it’s one that needs to be done to keep football alive in Newark.
“We’ve got a strong board of directors, nine of us, who are driving the club forward but it does need somebody at the top of the table in that chairman’s role.
“I just feel privileged that I’m part of that decision-making process and we’re in good shape.
“When you’re a volunteer, and that’s what we all are, we just have such a love of the club and the community and everybody that’s involved with it.
“The club and all the sections that make up the entire club are in a super place.
“The men’s team, I never dreamt we’d be at Step 5, they’ve put on some fantastic performances and played incredibly well for the last couple of seasons.
“To get the opportunity to be in Step 5 and be in the position they’re in now, they’re really high up the table and to be in the play-off positions at this point is incredible.
“We’ve got a hugely thriving ladies and girls’ section.
“Newark Town, about six or seven years ago, put ladies’ football on the map and the youth section, we are the go-to club for local children, so the entire club is in an amazing position and it’s wonderful to be so embedded in it.
“We’re on a great journey and everybody involved is excited to see what the future might hold for the club.”
Robinson believes it’s “significant” for Newark to have a female chair for the first time.
The original club were formed in 1868, so it’s been a long time coming.
“One of my fellow directors said to me when we were appointing officers to the board, it’s brilliant to be a female and have some responsibility for decisions in football,” she said.
“But he said to me it’s not actually about being male or female, it’s about who can do the job right and he said think I think you’re going to do the job right regardless of being male or female.
“I thought that was really positive and really interesting.
“My view is, yes, I’m a female, but I know I can do the job, and do the job really well, and that’s what I’m most looking forward to.
“But it is significant to have a female chair for the first time.
“The club is old, it was founded in 1868, so there’s obviously been a lot of men involved in that time, so it’s a new era.
“People know I can do the job and hopefully I’ve proved that in the last few years.
“I don’t think it matters what sex you are, if you’re capable of doing things then just go for it.
“It’s great to be in this position and I’m thrilled to bits. It’s fantastic.”
Newark have enjoyed use of the YMCA for the past few years, having previously groundshared with Collingham.
A long-term dream is to have a ground of their own, although that’s easier said than done.
“We’ve got a fantastic set-up at the YMCA,” said Robinson. “Ultimately, like any club, we’d love to have our own facilities.
“We don’t have that right now on the senior side.
“As we grow and go up the pyramid, our ideal would be that we could have use of our own facilities, as a lot of clubs have, and they benefit from everything that comes from that, funding and income primarily being those main areas.
“The problem every club is going to have in Newark is there’s just not that green space that’s needed.
“It’s really hard to come by but hopefully there might be an opportunity for a club, or clubs, to have a ground at some point in the future.”
