By Martin Walker
Newton Aycliffe FC chairman Gary Farley says there’s a “great feel about the place” this summer.
The Northern League club are hoping to improve on their ninth-placed finish in the first division last season.
They’re planning a series of exciting new fundraising projects to boost their coffers, beginning with their annual Family Fun Day this Sunday (8th July from 11am).
They welcome Premier League giants Sunderland to Moore Lane Park for a huge pre-season friendly on Friday 20th July (7.30pm kick-off).
And the Newtonians have just appointed a former university director as their new general manager.
Dan Lewis, who spent seven years as deputy director of sport at Durham University before leaving to set up his own business, is now heading up the club’s off-field affairs.
The 34-year-old, who is currently managing director of the Soccer Factory Ltd, a company looking to build a new £1.7m football complex on Aycliffe Business Park, is tasked with trying to bring more business to the Northern League club.
It represents a hugely-positive move forward for the club, who stand to benefit from Mr Lewis’ business and sport experience.
Farley said: “There’s a great feel about the place. Hard work is going to get the same results as the last three or four years.
“It’s going to be a tough, tough league, with Durham and Darlington coming in, but the work the committee is trying to do off the field is brilliant.
“That’s where it all starts, because without their hard work and commitment, we can’t attract the players, so we’re trying to up our game both on and off the field.”
Click here to see our Video Interview with Farley
EX-UNIVERSITY CHIEF JOINS FOOTBALL CLUB
