THE NEW chairman of Bromsgrove Rovers AFC has unveiled an ambitious five-year plan for the club’s future development both on and off the pitch, writes Neil Gordon.
Kristian Rock recently took over as chairman of Bromsgrove Rovers AFC and has already stated he wants the first team to switch to playing non-league football.
Rovers AFC’s new chairman also wants to establish a long-term base for Rovers AFC in their hometown.
And Rock told the Standard he wants to build on the solid foundations already in place at the club after the tireless work done during the past four-and-a-half years since the club formed.
Rock said: “Many people, including founder members Mark Whitehouse and Bryn Davies, have worked extremely hard to launch the club and then deliver the excellent progress now coming to fruition.
“We intend to build on these foundations by switching the first team over from regional to non-league football, while also establishing a long-term base for ourselves in the town.
“We have an excellent relationship with Bromsgrove District Council and remain optimistic we can establish a home at Charford.
“For now, our first and reserve teams have switched to playing home fixtures at Studley Sports and Social Club due to the costs of using our previous base, coupled to our desire to play on grass.”
The club’s first team currently play in Division One of the Birmingham and District Football League, following two consecutive close-season promotions from Division Three.
New chairman Rock remains assistant boss to first team manager Spencer Machin and has held the role since the club formed in 2021.
Rock added: “We are eager to join the Midland Football League and playing at Studley enables us to do that, as the set-up there meets the relevant criteria.
“Should the opportunity arise at the end of this season for us to enter that league then we will take it.
“Our plans will cost money to realise and we need to ensure we remain sustainable.
“The club receives a modest but vital amount of income from sales of merchandise to our growing band of supporters.
“We look forward to their continued backing, which the players genuinely appreciate, and I also encourage anyone who has heard of us, but not yet watched us, to come and see us in action.”
Other funding the club receives comes from businesses through sponsorship, with Rock also appealing for new sponsors to come forward and help the club achieve their ambitions.
He said: “We are also receptive to welcoming new talent onto the committee, should people have the relevant skills and experiences, or can financially back the club.
“Currently, we are blessed with an excellent committee with shared values and a passion for success.”
And Rock highlighted the club’s youth development pathway as a key factor in the club’s journey so far with players able to progress from the under-six age group all the way to the first team.
Rock said: “I want to thank all the parents, helpers and coaching staff for everything they do in making our youth development side so successful.
“We want to bring in more new teams as soon as possible to benefit the first team, and the club itself, in the long-term.
“We already have some excellent players in the first team which is great that we can attract such a high calibre.
“We recently played a cup tie against the under-21s from Boldmere St Michaels, whose first team play in the Northern Premier League Midlands Division.
“We gave a good account of ourselves but failed to take any of the four or five good chances we created, and ultimately, we were punished.
“We want to see a massive push now from the players until the end of the season. We’re playing in a very competitive league and I would love it if we could win a trophy.
“Everyone connected with Bromsgrove Rovers AFC deserves that.”
