Fan of the week

More years ago than he cares to remember his son started playing for Merstham's under-9s team and from there he became a fan of the club.

Now his son is in the marines and Richard has been the club secretary for the last 13 years.

In this role Richard is the first port of call for the local media and the contact for the pitch hire. And despite being over 60 Richard has been instrumental in website development for the club and the fans forums.

He and his fellow board members have been involved in successful applications and funding of stadium improvements.

With his son representing queen and country the rest of his family work for the football club in some capacity.

Richard's wife used to run the tea-bar and now concentrates on organising the half-time and full-time hospitality.

One of Richards's daughter's, Sarah, is the editor of the award-winning programme and his son-in-law has the very important role of stapling the programme together.

His other daughter Laura has worked behind the bar in the clubhouse and for every home game the Baxter family dog adorns the team's black and amber colours in its role as club mascot.

The operations manager for a travel company regards the current team and current season as the best he has seen in his time as a Merstham fan.

The club is currently at the top of the Combined Counties League and are enjoying a great run in the FA Vase, their latest triumph arriving on Saturday with a 5-4 win over Consett in extra time.

But Richard explains it wasn't all that good. He said: "A previous manager, Alan Gallagher turned up to training for the first time and only one player was present ­ and he only put in an appearance to say he was retiring."

Richard goes on to explain:  "Alan and myself had a drink in the bar, we persuaded the retiring player to carry on playing, put together a scratch team and although we lost 8-1, Alan turned around our fortunes."

And the current manager Mick Sullivan has continued the good work so much so Richard is 'absolutely loving this season.'

This season's success is just reward for the hard work shown by Richard, the rest of the board and Richard's family.