Angela El-Kholy is a founding member of FC United of Manchester and now volunteers as a steward helping to create a welcoming matchday experience.
El-Kholy has assisted in various roles during her 19 years with the club and is currently a volunteer steward based in the media area.
She said: “First and foremost I’m a founding member so I have been following the team home and away since the beginning.
“I wanted to be able to treat people how I wanted to be treated when I go to away grounds myself.
“I want to be welcoming and helpful because you don’t always see that with stewarding, particularly with the Manchester United background it’s very different, so this is my way of giving something back to the club.”
FC United of Manchester was founded in 2005 as a reaction to the takeover of Manchester United by the Glazer family.
The club entered the league at division two of the North West Counties Football League and are now in the Northern Premier League Premier Division, averaging an attendance of slightly under 2000 so far this season.
El-Kholy said: “There are very few stewards who are volunteers, because it’s not an easy job, more often than not, you don’t get to see the game, so some people will volunteer during the week rather than miss a matchday.
“It’s good to get to know people, to engage with them, so they feel they can approach you if they need to know something or if there’s a problem.
“I’ve been here from the beginning so a lot of people will know me and know I can sort things out for them if they need any help with anything.”
El-Kholy, like so many volunteers involved in non-league football, has taken on various roles to help around the club.
She said: “I have worked on turnstiles, sold tickets, helped to host events, fundraising events, and I’ve been stewarding since about 2014 on and off.
“I help sometimes on the fringes of the comms as well, just helping put updates on the websites, admin on the official Facebook page.
“Everyone has a number of different roles.”
Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk
Featured Image Credit: FC United of Manchester
