'I wouldn't have it any other way' - Volunteers fostering a sense of camaraderie at FC United of Manchester

Tony Sherwood first went along as a fan in 2011 but couldn’t help but give up his time for the club, and started volunteering three years ago.

Sherwood can be found selling half time raffle tickets, raising vital funds for the club in the process, and revealed the comradeship keeps him coming back come rain or shine.

He said: “Without volunteers, it would more than struggle, they are fundamental. If it wasn’t for the volunteers, they’d have to get paid staff in and they just can’t afford that – volunteers are crucial to this club.

“I just decided two or three years ago that I wanted to do my bit, I get so much out of it, I wanted to give something back.

“You get a bit of camaraderie; you get to know the staff and you chat to a lot of the fans you wouldn’t normally speak to.

“They call you over and take the mickey out of you. I get as much out of it as the club gets out of the extra funds we help raise.”

Around forty people volunteer at FC United of Manchester every matchday, and they are just one of hundreds of clubs up and down the country that thrive off the time and efforts of volunteers.

Tony has been selling pound-for-the-ground tickets since he started volunteering, with fans in with a chance of winning a £200 prize.

It can generate up to £700 for the club with a bumper crowd but Tony revealed he gets far more back for himself thanks to the connections he has made.

“The best bit is just generally chatting to people, having the craic with the other volunteers,” he said.

“Usually, there’s a lad called Gary who stands with me and sells the programmes and we have that banter between us. It keeps the fans entertained if not me!

“My favourite moment would be, gosh I’ve had so many good times here, one of the times we played Buxton we had a striker called Tunde [Owolabi] and he got four goals and he brought the match ball up into the bar afterwards and I managed to hold the match ball.

“It’s only something small, but I’ve had so many good times, everyone gets on, it’s always a good laugh.”

Tony is a long-distance lorry driver and his involvement with the club is now a family affair. He explained: “Because of my job, I'm away Monday to Friday, so I can't get to the midweek games, unfortunately.

“I'm married and have two kids. My son, he actually volunteers on the sweet stall inside the ground. He's been coming with me since he was a kid. He loves coming here, and he started working on the sweet store with another volunteer and he loves doing it, he's 19 now, but he still really enjoys it.”

While his current occupation keeps him away from the Tuesday night lights, Tony has plans to get down even more once he hangs up his steering wheel for good.

He said: “Even more so when I retire, I’ll get to the midweek games as well, and God forgiving I’ll be here for a while, its great fun, it's enjoyable.

“I don't feel like oh, it’s something I’ve got to do that I don’t want to, it’s really good fun. You get to chat to loads of people, people know you, people come up to you and say ‘you alright’.

“It’s such a nice community feel, it’s that kind of club, we're not 100% perfect, but I wouldn't have it any other way!”

Find volunteering opportunities at your local club by visiting pitchinginvolunteers.co.uk