Non-league football clubs, despite their smaller scale compared to top-tier professional clubs, often have a wide range of roles to ensure smooth operation. Many of these roles are filled by volunteers who dedicate their time and energy out of love for the game and their club. I thought I would attempt to list all of the jobs typically found at a non-league football club. Now I understand some clubs will not have these positions at all and others will have employees or volunteers (more likely) that wear more than the one hat! We call those people legends….!

Anyway – here is what I think and hope is a full list of the kind of roles and jobs carried out at a non-league club:

Administrative and Management Roles

1. Chairperson: Oversees the overall operations and strategy of the club.
2. Club Secretary: Handles administrative tasks, correspondence, and compliance with league rules.
3. Treasurer: Manages the club’s finances, including budgets, accounts, and fundraising.
4. General Manager: Manages day-to-day operations and coordinates between different departments.
5. Board Members: Provide governance and strategic direction for the club.

Football Operations

1. Manager/Head Coach: Responsible for team selection, tactics, and training.
2. Assistant Manager: Assists the manager with coaching duties and team strategy.
3. Coaches: Conduct training sessions and provide technical and tactical guidance.
4. Goalkeeping Coach: Specializes in training goalkeepers.
5. Fitness Coach: Focuses on the physical conditioning of players.
6. Physiotherapist: Provides medical care and injury rehabilitation for players.
7. Team Doctor: Oversees the health and medical needs of the team.
8. Kit Manager: Manages the team’s kit and equipment.
9. Scouts: Identify and evaluate potential player signings.
10. Analysts: Analyze game footage and statistics to improve team performance.

Match Day Operations

1. Match Day Coordinator: Organizes all aspects of match day operations.
2. Stewards: Ensure the safety and security of fans within the stadium.
3. Turnstile Operators: Manage entry points and ticket validation.
4. Groundskeeper: Maintains the pitch and surrounding facilities.
5. PA Announcer: Provides match commentary, announcements, and music over the public address system.
6. Ball Boys/Girls: Retrieve balls that go out of play to ensure smooth gameplay.
7. Medical Staff: Provide immediate medical assistance during matches.

Marketing and Communications

1. Marketing Manager: Develops and implements marketing strategies to promote the club.
2. Media Officer: Manages media relations and communications.
3. Social Media Manager: Manages the club’s presence on social media platforms.
4. Website Administrator: Maintains the club’s website and updates content.
5. Programme Editor: Produces match day programmes with club news, player profiles, and other content.
6. Photographers/Videographers: Capture photos and videos of matches and events.

Commercial and Fundraising

1. Sponsorship Manager: Secures sponsorship deals and manages relationships with sponsors.
2. Fundraising Coordinator: Organizes fundraising events and initiatives.
3. Merchandising Manager: Manages the sale of club merchandise, both online and at the stadium.

Community and Outreach

1. Community Liaison Officer: Develops and maintains relationships with the local community.
2. Youth Team Coaches: Train and develop young players within the club’s youth system.
3. Charity and Outreach Coordinators: Organize community and charitable activities involving the club.

Hospitality and Facilities

1. Clubhouse Manager: Oversees the operation of the clubhouse, including bar and catering services.
2. Bar Staff: Serve drinks and refreshments in the clubhouse.
3. Catering Staff: Prepare and serve food on match days and during events.
4. Cleaning Staff: Ensure the cleanliness of the stadium and facilities.
5. Maintenance Staff: Perform maintenance and repairs around the club’s facilities.

Other Roles

Many of the roles mentioned above can and are performed by volunteers and often more than just the one role, especially in smaller clubs. In addition to these, there are often additional volunteer-specific roles:

1. Volunteer Coordinator: Manages the recruitment and coordination of volunteers.
2. Fundraising Volunteers: Assist with organizing and running fundraising activities.

Special Event Roles

1. Event Coordinator: Plans and manages special events such as charity matches, award nights, and fan engagement activities.
2. Security Staff: Provide additional security during large events.
3. Event Volunteers: Assist with the organization and execution of special events.

Non-league football clubs rely heavily on the dedication and passion of their staff and volunteers. Each role, no matter how big or small, contributes to the unique and vibrant atmosphere that makes non-league football so special. Whether it’s a paid position or a volunteer role, the collective effort of these individuals ensures that the club runs smoothly and continues to be a cherished part of the community.

The sheer size of the list above was enough to make me sit back and just realise and appreciate the amount of hard work, dedication and determination it takes to simply keep a club going week on week and season on season.

Why you should think about volunteering…

Supporting your local non-league football club is more than just about enjoying the beautiful game; it’s about making a tangible difference in your community. Non-league clubs are often the heartbeat of their communities, creating a welcoming environment where people of all ages and backgrounds can come together, share their love of football, and build lasting friendships. These clubs are steeped in history and tradition, and your involvement helps preserve this rich heritage, ensuring that future generations can experience the pride and passion that these clubs represent.

Non-league clubs play a crucial role in nurturing young talent, providing essential pathways for local youngsters to develop their skills and gain experience. By supporting your club, whether through volunteering or financial contributions, you help sustain youth programs that offer invaluable opportunities for aspiring footballers. Moreover, non-league football has the power to bring about positive social change. Clubs often run community outreach programs, charity events, and initiatives aimed at promoting health, education, and social inclusion. Your support can help expand these efforts, making a real difference in the lives of people within your community.

Getting involved with a non-league club also provides unique experiences that you won’t find at higher levels of the game. From helping out on match days to getting to know the players and staff personally, the sense of involvement and connection is unparalleled. You’ll gain a deeper appreciation for the inner workings of a football club and the effort that goes into each match and event. Non-league clubs often operate on tight budgets and rely heavily on the support of their fans and volunteers. Your help, whether through purchasing tickets, buying merchandise, or sponsoring the club, can provide vital financial stability, ensuring the club can continue to operate, maintain facilities, and compete effectively.

Volunteering at a non-league club isn’t just about giving; it’s also an opportunity to gain. From event management and marketing to groundskeeping and coaching, you can develop a wide range of skills that are valuable both personally and professionally. Plus, the experience looks great on a CV and can open doors to new career opportunities. There’s a unique charm and authenticity to non-league football that you just can’t find elsewhere, and being part of it is something truly special. Your involvement helps ensure that this vibrant and vital part of the footballing world continues to thrive.

How to go about it?

Quite simply – ask your local team. Clubs are always on the lookout for volunteers – if you want to simply give back to something meaningful then look no further and reach out to them via social media or drop them an email, most of which can be found via the clubs website.

Alternatively you could check out:

https://pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk/
or
https://x.com/nonleaguevol

Both are a great to keep an eye on to see if there are any specific roles that clubs are looking to fill.

Non-league football is as we all know the backbone of the football world, however it is the volunteers which are the backbone of non-league and therefore some of the most important people in football overall in my opinion.

Want to be a part of that…go for it!