Dave Law was one of Trafford FC’s four founding members in 1990 and has witnessed their transformation during his 34 years at the club.
Law, 72, is now a director and helps out where possible, be it selling golden goal tickets on matchdays, writing match reports or putting up posters around the local area to advertise matches.
He said: “All there was when we came to the ground was a pitch and a changing room.
“The ground has developed tremendously: stands, a perimeter wall around the ground, and floodlights. It has just taken off brilliantly the club.”
Law is one of the club’s army of volunteers who give up their time to keep the club running, and the director is determined to continue the club’s upward trajectory on and off the pitch.
“One of the main aims is to get a decent clubhouse, as we have a portacabin basically,” he added. “Plans are in progress.
“The key is to have the right people to know the various funding procedures and we have now got them on board.”
It is now easier than ever to get involved and volunteer at your local non-league club thanks to Pitching In’s Volunteer Hub, which allows clubs to advertise roles online.
And on the pitch, Law is only looking upwards for the Pitching In Northern Premier League Division One West side.
He said: “We would like to get in the Premier Division of the NPL, then after that its National League North.
“It’s all about money really, you need the funding to progress.”
Law became the first manager of the team in 1990, after he set up the club alongside David Brown, John Harrison, and Bill Whitten.
They joined the Mid-Cheshire League Division Two and Law guided them to promotion in the club’s inaugural season.
In 1991/92 they joined the North-West Counties League Division Two and won promotion in 1994.
Law said his proudest managerial achievement came in 1997 when they won the North West Counties League and reached the final of the Manchester Senior Cup.
He stepped down in December 1998 after eight and a half years in charge, because his job as the director of sport at Ashton on Mersey school meant he had to be in school on Saturday mornings.
Law said: “It was very difficult time-wise and had to pack in as manager because of my job.
“With all the travelling and time commitments, I couldn’t continue as manager, but I stayed involved and have been ever since.”
Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/
