Spennymoor Town is delighted to announce the appointment of Stephen Gilling as the Club’s new Partnerships Manager.

Gilling started in his new role at the beginning of August and among his priorities will be to engage further with our existing partners and broaden the Club’s reach commercially.

The role, which is part of Procure Smart’s organisation, is primarily to strengthen the connection between the Club and Procure Smart for the benefit of both parties, in addition to engaging with sponsors and other key partners, and overseeing the commercial aspirations of the Club.

Brought up in Durham and having spent almost 20 years living in Kirk Merrington, Gilling has been involved in a number of voluntary sector organisations. As well as serving as a Spennymoor Town Councillor, he has a career background covering both the public and private sector including Education, Health and Sports Development.

“It’s a real honour to be at The Brewery Field and I am delighted to be here,” he told us.

“I think we can really support things locally, support the team, support the supporters themselves and bring in some great local business which can only help us in the future.

“It’s been a whirlwind over the last couple of weeks, but we have hit the ground running and we’re looking to ensure that our key partners and sponsors are looked after properly.

“I also want to reach out to people who may now know about all the things that are going on here at the Football Club because it’s full of potential.

“Spennymoor is thriving. The numbers of people living here is going up, we’re attracting new businesses to the town, and I think there is a real vision for Spennymoor now which the Club is fundamental to that.

“We want to really start thinking about where Spennymoor Town and all of the people connected to it can be in five- or ten-years’ time.

“We are here to make a lasting legacy alongside all the organisations that do a wonderful job supporting the club – our job is to continue to build on that.”

Managing Director, Ian Geldard, is encouraged by the work already being undertaken by Gilling and is confident his appointment will drive things forward at The Brewery Field.

“I think it’s a key development at the Club to look at what we’re doing around partnerships,” he told us.

“We have a unique partnership with Procure Smart, whereby the Club receives a fee for every business successfully referred to them. This money boosts the club’s ability to make a difference in our community, all whilst delivering savings and efficiencies for our business contacts, sponsors and partners. Stephen will oversee this extremely important route to revenue”

“We want to build a community of local organisations around the Football Club, not only for our own success but for the success of everybody.

“The most important thing for me is for Spennymoor Town to be a sustainable club at the heart of its community and that’s where Stephen’s role really comes in.

“There is one thing that is undeniable about Stephen Gilling and that his passion for this town and the local area. I have seen that over the last few years so I know he will bring that passion, hard work and drive to succeed into the Club.”