LAURA SMITH WORKING WITH CLUBS
Roger Allen • February 5, 2021
Laura Smith is an F.A. Consultant who has recently started working with Sydenhams league clubs in order to create the best place for people to play and enjoy football. Focusing on “off pitch” activities, the F.A. programme is set up to support & advise clubs to develop their facilities, financial management, governance structure, legal status, marketing & communications, commercial strategies, accessing funding and more!
Following a successful pilot scheme in 2018/19, the programme has expanded each season since then and now includes over 100 clubs including those playing from Step 3 and below, including grassroots and youth football and also clubs playing in the Women’s Championship. Recently, leagues providing football at steps 3-6 have also been invited to join the programme hence why plans are being developed to support the Sydenhams League and it’s member clubs.
Laura would be delighted to hear from clubs playing within the Sydenhams League who may need support, guidance or someone to discuss an idea with. She can be reached on laurasmith080303@gmail.com
or 07851 445704.
Laura started work in Sports Development across Surrey & Hampshire before moving to Rushmoor Borough Council. She then moved to North West Surrey initiating school-club link programmes with local sports clubs, organising competitions, accessing funding and engaging with National Governing Bodies of Sport to provide CPD for teachers.
After leaving the Schools Sports Partnership in 2012, she took the role of Director & Chief Executive of Suffolk F.A. until 2017 when she became Chief Executive of Aldershot Football Club.
Prior to working in Football Development, Laura had a playing career at Millwall & Wimbledon before her career was ended by injury.
The League is pleased to be working with Laura & would encourage clubs to contact her to tap into her extensive experience to develop their off-field activities.
We are delighted to announce Badgeman Limited as our Official Merchandise Supplier on a two-year agreement. As a preferred supplier, Badgeman can offer all football related merchandise such as hats, scarfs, mugs, pin badges, keyrings, pennants, stickers and towels as well as flags, banners, sponsorship banners, corner flags, printed gazebos and much more.
Newport IoW were back on 'home' turf on Tuesday night, with the inaugural fixture at their new WightFibre Park ground.
We are thrilled to announce Industrial Boiler Services as the new sponsor of the Wessex League Cup for the next three seasons. The competition will be known as the 'Industrial Boilers Wessex League Cup'.
We’re delighted to welcome Scorza as the Wessex League’s new Performance Partner. Scorza's wearable technology helps footballers turn their existing Apple Watch or Garmin into a football-specific performance tracker, providing insights including distance, sprints, heatmaps and heart-rate data. The new 2026/27 Laws of the Game permit players to wear a smartwatch in matches, provided it is not dangerous and is safely and securely covered. This means the smartwatch you already own can be turned into a pro tracker.
The Wessex League is encouraging its member clubs to explore the opportunities available through the Premier League Stadium Fund , which continues to invest in improving football facilities across England and Wales. Having invested more than £226 million into over 1,000 clubs , the Premier League Stadium Fund is helping transform the non-league matchday experience by supporting projects that enhance facilities for players, volunteers and supporters alike. Funding is available for a wide range of projects, including floodlights, spectator accommodation, pitch improvements, changing facilities, barriers and other essential infrastructure that helps clubs meet ground grading requirements and provide a better environment for their local communities. Clubs considering improvements to their facilities are urged to engage with the Fund at the earliest opportunity to discuss their project and determine eligibility. Investment in facilities not only strengthens clubs on matchdays but also helps secure their long-term future, enabling them to grow participation, improve accessibility and continue serving their local communities for years to come. For further information and to begin an application, visit the Premier League Stadium Fund website or speak to your County FA or League representative for guidance. Premier League Stadium Fund - Poster
AFC Stoneham have started the season where they left off the last - collecting more silverware in the form of the Wessex League Charity Cup, following a 3-1 success over Hamble Club. Proceeds from the occasion supported the Geoff Smith Legacy Fund - supporting young children in local communities on their football journeys, set-up in memory of the long-serving AFC Stoneham Chairman who sadly passed away in May. Kian Towse and Braydon Douglas gave the hosts a 2-0 advantage into the interval, before Harry Hamilton pulled one back for the League Cup winners without around ten left to play.
