The dawn of a new football season often brings anticipation and fresh hopes, but for Daisy Hill FC, this year marks a poignant moment: the retirement of long-serving club secretary, Bob Naylor. After an extraordinary and unbroken tenure spanning six decades, Naylor, at 87 years young, has decided to step down, ushering in a significant transition for this venerable non-league football institution.
Naylor’s incredible journey with Daisy Hill began in the summer of 1961, joining the club committee in 1962 alongside his friend Geoff Hughes. In those early days, with Daisy Hill competing in the Bolton Combination, Naylor’s duties were remarkably hands-on, even extending to selecting the team for matches – a stark contrast to the highly specialized roles found in modern football management. This foundational period laid the groundwork for a deep and enduring connection to the club’s very fabric.
Reflecting on the profound changes in the sport, Bob Naylor often quips about the simplicity of early club administration. He famously noted that back then, all that was required was “a biro and a book of stamps,” highlighting the dramatic shift to today’s complex, technology-driven operations. This anecdote powerfully underscores the vast evolution in the operational demands of running a football club, especially for a figure deeply rooted in its extensive football club history.
Beyond administrative tasks, Naylor was a pivotal figure in the development of Daisy Hill’s facilities. He vividly recalls a time when the club lacked proper dressing rooms, with players resorting to changing in a stable behind a local pub. His ingenuity, inspired by an away game, led to acquiring disused army huts that were repurposed to form the current 120-foot long clubhouse, a testament to the club’s resourcefulness and Naylor’s dedication to improving the groundwork for grassroots football.
The dedication required for decades of voluntary service in sports, particularly at the grassroots level, often extends beyond the individual to their families. Bob Naylor acknowledges the invaluable support of his wife, Jean, who, coming from a sporting family herself, was instrumental behind the scenes. From mending ripped shirts to washing kits when laundries were unavailable, her contributions exemplify the often-unsung heroes who enable the continuous operation of local sports clubs.
Under Naylor’s watchful eye, Daisy Hill FC transitioned through various leagues, becoming founder members of the North West Counties Football League in 1982. He witnessed firsthand the Football Association’s escalating standards, which necessitated significant upgrades like floodlights and improved ground facilities. Naylor often highlights that while the quality of play in local leagues may not have dramatically changed, the infrastructure surrounding the game has undergone a remarkable transformation, enhancing the overall non-league football experience for players and fans alike.
In recent months, Daisy Hill has experienced a surge in public interest, largely thanks to the strategic involvement of new chairman Aaron Hunt, a social media content creator. Naylor views this unprecedented publicity as a crucial opportunity for the club’s future consolidation and growth. This modern approach to engagement adds a new chapter to Daisy Hill FC’s legacy, promising a vibrant future for the club.
While his official club secretary retirement marks the end of an era of day-to-day operational involvement, Bob Naylor is not entirely stepping away. He will continue to serve Daisy Hill as club president, a fitting honorary role that allows him to remain connected, support the team, and offer invaluable wisdom to the new secretary, Conor Jackson, and the entire committee. His legacy of unwavering commitment remains an integral part of Daisy Hill’s identity.
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