Hamworthy United - A Club and Its Community

The start of the 2022/2023 season marked an historical moment for Hamworthy United. Back-to-back promotions had seen them reach the Southern League for the first time in the club’s history.

Despite the success on the field, financial issues were compounded by being unable to play home games at the Dorset County Ground.

After playing six homes games at the Bob Lucas Stadium, home ground of Weymouth FC, Hamworthy United confirmed that they had to withdraw from the Southern League.

A statement from the club Chairman, Steve Mitchener, on October 6^th, 2023, said: “with the ongoing financial burden of being unable to play at our home ground, together with the general costs of keeping a team in the Southern League, the financial position of the club has become untenable.”

With concerns that Hamworthy United would have to fold, the club chose to re-boot with their Dorset Premier League side. 18 months on, the Poole-based side have stabilised their financial issues. Without the support of people from the local community, the club would not have survived the situation.

Andy James - Commercial Manager

Stepping in as the club’s commercial manager amid the financial issues in 2023, Andy James has been involved with Hamworthy United for 35 years.

“Initially I joined the club as a kitman. From that I became a committee member, fundraiser and organiser of events. Then I became reserve team manager and moved onto first team manager. I was always doing bits about the club, on and off. When the club went into its financial issues I got involved in the commercial side of things,” said Andy James.

“The situation was 100% real, without personal cash that people put into the club, it would’ve gone down,” said James as he reflected on the severity of the issue.

“The bottom line is the club is on more solid ground but without the commercial side of things, we wouldn’t have a club. Our overheads are significant for rent, rates and utilities. That means you need to have a solid base to build off, which is what we’ve tried to do. We have to live within our means. As a football club you can chase dreams, but it all comes at a cost.”

Since stepping in as commercial manager, Andy has overseen the increase of advertising boards surrounding the pitch. There are now around 60 advertising boards around the ground, up from just four 18 months prior.

“I won’t give you numbers, but we have raised a lot of money for the club over the past 18 months. Without that to help pay the debts off and the small playing budget, you have no club.”

“Everyone involved at the club has a part to play with that. The role of the media guys is crucial too. If you’re a sponsor and see the pictures from Chris that go out each week, you see that you get a little bit back."

"You could have all the money in the world, without people you have nothing.”

Chris Parker - Photographer

Working as a property manager throughout the week, Chris Parker makes the 15 minutes’ walk every weekend to take photos at the Dorset County Ground. Hamworthy United has helped Parker fall back in love with football and facilitate his hobby as a photographer.

“I used to go and watch Bournemouth. I got disillusioned with the scramble for tickets and the stale football that we used to see at times. I sort of gave up football, until I went to see Hamworthy one night, during the start of the season,” said Chris Parker.

Taking his camera with him, Chris gave sports photography a go for the first time.

“It is a hobby for me. I always wanted to get into photography, but I never really took the plunge to buy a good camera. It was only probably ten years ago, when I went to Africa, I decided that I could do with taking a decent camera with me. That kickstarted it all for me.”

Chris enjoys hiking the Purbeck district, taking his camera with him on his journeys. Parker’s work has been lauded my players and fans alike, with players often asking him for any snaps he gets of them.  

As the season has progressed, Chris has started to film moments from the game to create highlight reels. Averaging around 1500 views, Chris has been amazed with the reaction to his work. “I don’t do photography for the money. Sometimes money can ruin the hobby. The best thing I can get is the appreciation that people show towards it.”

Chris Millar - Owner of Supporters Group

Since he started supporting the club four years ago, Chris Millar goes home and away to support the Hammers. Similarly to Chris Parker, Chris used to travel across the country supporting AFC Bournemouth, before becoming disillusioned with professional football.

“I moved to Hamworthy about 4 years ago. I loved it from the first day. It felt like a close-knit, family club. That’s what I loved about it,” said Chris Millar.

“I work every day, 9-5, Monday-Friday. So for me, going to the football is a chance for me to switch off, regardless of if we win or lose. Seeing all the familiar faces is important to me too.

Chris set up the Hamworthy United supporters’ group. Off the back of his work on social media, Chris was asked to help out with the media team. When on the media team, Chris became aware of the extent of the financial issues.

“The main thing is that we still have a club today. Without the action that were made, I’m not sure that would be the case. If it wasn’t for local volunteers, there wouldn’t really be a club.”

Charlie Griffiths - Social Media Team Member

After studying on the journalism course at Bournemouth University, Charlie Griffiths started to commentate on Hamworthy United games through a local radio station. When the club went through its financial issues, the radio station died, but Charlie was asked to stay on with the club to run its social media pages.

“It’s been a great opportunity. They have sort of let me do my own thing on the social media side. Everyone is willing to have a talk. Assistant manager, Keith Whatling, always knows that he needs to give an interview at the end of the game. He always frees himself up for that, by giving up five minutes at the end of the day. I can’t thank the club enough for facilitating me,” said Charlie.

“The sense of community is crucial. There is nothing worse than a social media team that has no connection with the players and further club personnel. That link is so important, as people know who I am, it makes things much easier to approach a player, coach or chairman.”

Volunteering his time to create graphics, conduct interviews and live blog the games, Charlie has his hands full on a Saturday afternoon – yet he wouldn’t want it any other way.  

“Volunteers at the club are vital, I’d call it life or death for non-league clubs. I could just go and watch Bournemouth on a Saturday, but seeing the people that I class as good friends now has made me fall in love with the club.”