Stocksbridge chairman Bethel to retire

Retiring chairman Allen Bethel has warned that Stocksbridge Park Steels face “challenging times” if they want to be competitive in the Evo Stik.

Mr Bethel, 76, is standing down at the club’s upcoming EGM after nearly 30 years in the role. His vice-chairman Graham Furness says that pioneer Mr Bethel leaves a massive “legacy” as he created a sustainable Non League club.

Mr Bethel, who will remain the club’s treasurer, says the Steels are struggling to compete financially with other clubs for players.

However, he says that the Stocksbridge’s balance sheet is in a strong and stable position and whoever replaces him has a solid platform to build from.

“At my age I feel it is the right time for me to stand down as chairman and I think I stand down with the club in good shape in many areas,” Mr Bethel said.

“We have the best pitch in the area, along with two excellent pitches across the road for under 18s, reserves and juniors.

“We have an excellent reputation with players, in terms of that we always pay them on time. We also pay our suppliers within 14 days so we have credibility.

“We also have an excellent relationship with Sheffield United, but we are facing some very big problems going forward and I have no real answer for them.

“There are a number of clubs locally or in our league run by millionaires so it leaves us with a very uphill battle moving forward to compete.

“Attendances are also down so the new committee need to come up with ideas. The biggest challenge is trying to get more people through the gate. I wish then all the best.”

Mr Bethel’s “legacy” is quite extraordinary and he certainly goes down as a pioneer of Non League football. He started Stocksbridge Juniors in 1982 with kids who lived on his street, having spotted that there was no football provision for juniors. 

Four years later he realised Stocksbridge Works were folding which would “scupper” plans to grow the junior club. Oxley Park, who had three teams, were in a similar position so Mr Bethel’s own words: “I went and saw the Oxley Park chairman and agreed a merger in less than two hours to form Stocksbridge Park Steels.

“We suddenly had 20 committee members and £300 in the bank. The club progressed very quickly from there.”

The rest is well-known history. Stocksbridge became one of the biggest Non League clubs in South Yorkshire.

A few promotions and a lot of Sheffield & Hallamshire Senior Cup triumphs and finals have followed.

Perhaps the biggest achievement has been the progression of number of players – most notably Jamie Vardy. 

Vardy is not the only player who has gone onto higher climbs – Lee Mills (Wolves) Simon Marples (Doncaster Rovers) preceded him. Harrison Biggins was sold to Fleetwood Town last year.

Vice-Chairman Mr Furness paid tribute to the outgoing chairman: “We are a stable club with a great foundation.

“Players enjoy playing here and they know if they are getting x amount a week they will get that each week.

“That is testament to Allen and everyone who has been on the committee for the last 30 years. They have built up a great reputation for this club.

“We just need to try and sustain it and build on it. It won’t be easy, but Allen leaves a massive legacy.”