It is the end of an era in Binfield as long-serving chairman of Binfield FC, Bob Bacon, steps down from his role at the club.

Involved for over 15 years, 12 of which as chairman, Mr Bacon has overseen a meteoric rise for the Moles, who now play their football in the Isthmian League South Central Division after promotion from the Hellenic Premier Division in 2020/21.

However, the on-field success is merely a by-product for Bob, who has placed community and welfare ahead of silverware.

Speaking exclusively to the Chronicle, Mr Bacon said: “I’ve been involved with Binfield since 2005 when I ran a soccer school, and I took over as chairman in 2010.

“The club has always been in good shape, but it has grown up a bit in terms of professionalism of the coaching.

“The first team has continued to progress well but more importantly the community has really pulled around the club to create a real community feel within the club.

“I was always going to stand down next season, but I’ve not been in the best of health recently.

“A club shouldn’t run with an absent chairman, and so it made a lot of sense to hand over the reins now.”

Since taking over in 2010, Mr Bacon has overseen runs in the FA Cup and the FA Vase, as well as winning both the Berks & Bucks FA Senior Trophy and the AM Print & Copy Floodlit Cup, but it is their FA Vase run in 2020/21 which fills Bob with the most joy, with the club running out at Wembley Stadium for the first time ever.

Reading Chronicle:

Above: A highlight of Bob Bacon's time as Binfield chairman came last May when he saw his side play in the FA Vase final at Wembley.  (Picture: Andrew Batt) 

 

Speaking about that emotional day, which they sadly lost 3-2 to Warrington Rylands, Mr Bacon said: “We always spoke about two things, getting the club to play at Wembley and have juniors progress right through the play for the first team.

“It is a memory that is engrained in the soul.

“It is a moment never to forget, and I am sure most of the players still have that video on their phone.

“To have people lining the streets and banging pots and pans, kids dressed up all in red and then to have most of that support follow us down to Wembley it was a fantastic occasion, one that you can’t always take in at the time.

“I must’ve turned to several people that day and just say ‘we’re here’.

“It was a wonderful achievement which would only have been bettered had we won.

“It was a moment those players deserved to enjoy.”

 

 

Just as pleasing as the onfield success, the stature of Binfield FC has grown exponentially since Mr Bacon took over, with crowds up almost threefold and the development of Hill Farm Lane continuing year on year.

Bob continued: “I have no regrets at all, we played at Wembley and were promoted, our crowds have increased substantially.

“When I came in Saturday crowds were around 50/60, depending on the opponent, but now they’re consistently at around the 200 mark which is brilliant as it shows people in the village and local area are interested.

“We have always focussed on how we can improve the fan experience and so we have tried to improve the facility year on year.

“We have work going on as we speak to improve the tea bar with proper cooking facilities that can be used for events so the club will continue to serve the community, which is really what football is all about at this level.

I’m particularly proud that in 2013/14 we were invited to an awards ceremony in Marlow and awarded the Berks & Bucks FA, and South East Regional FA Charter Status, Community Club of the Year awards.

“That was very proud as it showed we had done the right thing, been very upfront with how we had operated and had been very connected to the community and I think that has shown by the number of kids that now play at Binfield.”

 

 

After more than a decade with the club, Bob has decided that now if the best time to had over the reigns to Andy Cotton, a previous vice-chairman.

The community are not letting him go quietly, with an outpouring of emotion arriving after the announcement.

“It’s very humbling because when you are doing the job you get your head down and get on with stuff.

“There is a great crew at the football club who just make things happen and when you’re volunteer run you run the risk of burning volunteers out, but we’ve managed to have a good supply of volunteers and the club has really come together which I’m really proud about.”

So, what is next for Bob?

“I retired from my professional five years ago, so my life has been consumed by this football club.

“Now I can take some time to reconnect with the family and come next season I’ll be a fan.

“I will always be a fan of Binfield Football Club.”

 

We wish Bob, and Binfield FC, the best of luck in the future!