In less than twelve months, a minor miracle has taken place at Oadby Town Football Club, on and off the pitch. The talented trio of General Manager, Richard Hill and Co-Managers, Micky Holmes and Matt Elliott have turned around the fortunes of the Midland Football Alliance club. Soar Magazine spoke to the ambitious Hill and former Leicester City star, Elliott and discovered a club ready to rise through the football pyramid…

“Things have turned around for us by securing three major sponsorship deals with Greene King, South Leicestershire College and E.L. Construction. Their invaluable support has given us the time to become self-sufficient through our bar takings and ticket sales, and we are making great progress.”

Richard Hill is not a man who does things by halves. With football pumping through his veins and a wise business head on his young shoulders, he has aggressively revitalised the club’s ailing fortunes.

“I oversee the whole business. A key part of the role involves searching for sponsorship to generate revenue for the club.”

The task of raising additional funds has been helped by having one of the most prominent players in Leicester City’s history on the management staff. But how did Elliott, the towering former Scotland international, end up at Greene King Park?

“Between them, Mick and Rich asked if I was interested in getting involved and it didn’t take me long to realise that this was for me. I played with Micky at Torquay over twenty years ago and they are both good friends of mine.”

It is that friendship which has inspired a desire to drive the club on to better days, a notion not lost on Elliott, who is not averse to putting in the graft required to succeed at this level.

“Non-league football is hard work, no doubt about it. Rich has worked wonders off the pitch and we are secure for the foreseeable future. I played semi-professional football, before making it as a professional, so I’m well aware of the challenges we face.”

The magnitude of those challenges has been highlighted with the recent financial struggles of King’s Lynn, a fate that could easily be faced by other clubs in the future.

But the aptitude exuded by Hill would suggest that Oadby have the potential to grow, whilst aiding the development of their numerous partners.

“Greene King are the stadium sponsors, with naming rights and branding all over the ground. South Leicestershire College are an official partner and first team kit sponsor and E.L. Construction, through Jim Sehmi, are our official builders and landscapers and have also helped to develop our business network. We pride ourselves on an integrated relationship with all of our partners, an example of which is South Leicestershire College who provide players to us and we encourage our youth players to study with them.”

On the field, ‘The Poachers’ are comfortably placed in the top-half of the Midland Football Alliance, although promotion is unlikely given Barwell’s incredible form. That won’t prevent Elliott from striving to finish well and the thoughtful Worthington Cup Winning Captain can’t hide his happiness.

“If you’re not going to be ambitious then there is no point being involved. We know that promotion will be difficult for this season, but the progress we have made will prepare us for next year. I’ve always loved football, always will and my involvement here, alongside my work with South Leicestershire College is rewarding and enjoyable.”

Ensuring a strong second-half to the season is an objective echoed by Hill. But perhaps the positive start may have come as a surprise, even to those working within the club as Hill, who was Assistant Manager under a previous regime, explains.

“The last six or seven years have seen us in the lower reaches of the division. Now, following our restructure, we are aiming for the top six, which is a dramatic improvement, much quicker than we expected.”

.But the hard work for Oadby Town continues. Whilst Hill may have created a platform to build upon, he is keen to work with current partners and widen the network of associates. He is also passionate about engaging with the local community and attracting more people to games and for events in the club’s function room.

“In the past, advertisers haven’t had much value from working with the club. Now, a sponsor with an advertising board receives the exposure, along with two season-tickets and they get invited to all of our events.”

This pragmatic approach is just the start though, as Hill looks to implement a structure for current and future sponsors to work with each other.

“We’re devising a partnerships package, allowing businesses to become a part of our network and hopefully work with each other, to a mutual benefit.”

It’s often said that people are afraid of change. At Oadby Town that sentiment couldn’t be further from the truth as any current ambition seems certain to be matched with some glorious days ahead.

To be a part of the rise of Oadby Town Football Club call Richard Hill on 0116 271 8885 or via e-mail at oadbytownfc@live.co.uk.