Fan of the week

By Stuart Croll (NonLeagueToday)

When Wellingborough Town was threatened with closure only one man turned up to a meeting after an appeal for help from the local media and council.

That man was Laurie Owen.

Not surprisingly with that level of interest the club folded and resigned from the league at the end of the 2001-02 season. Undeterred Laurie was determined to bring Wellingborough Town FC ­the sixth oldest football club in England ­back to life.

The retired police detective formed a steering committee of sporting friends in an attempt to resurrect the "Doughboys".

A local businessman, Alan Warwick, whose father played for Wellingborough in the twenties and the then Mayor of the town, David Smith, initially joined him. Together these three people recruited other friends until there were 24 people who were prepared to get the Club back on its feet.

The 24 included Brian Hill the former premiership referee and Peter Ebdon the former World snooker champion. Peter agreed to be the president of the group and even though Peter has moved to Dubai he remains Honorary President and Laurie makes sure he is kept up to date with the club's fortunes.

Through Laurie and his colleague's determination and enthusiasm Wellingborough Town returned to the football pyramid in 2004.

They even returned the team to their old ground ­ The Dog and Duck ­ although that did require a summer of extensive pitch, floodlight and stand repairs. Of course Laurie got stuck in with those chores.

As Laurie says it was worthwhile: "Only 12 fans attended the last game before we folded but more than 400 attended our first game back." And the season went well as the team finished 2nd in the Eagle Bitter United Counties League Division One and were promoted to the Premier Division after losing just one game.

Since the club's return Laurie has worked in many capacities for the club. He has been secretary, written newsletters and edited the matchday programmes. He is also very active in marketing and sponsorship for the club.

Laurie says a double heart bypass had to slow him down but his colleagues at the club are not convinced he has.

Laurie is proud of what he and his colleagues have achieved for Wellingborough in such a short time. He said: "The club is built on solid foundations. We have an excellent youth set-up, great volunteers and a brilliant sponsor."

"All that is missing is a chairman with business acumen or Roman Abramovich's money."