International Volunteer Day: Chertsey Town

By James Reid

Chris Gay has devoted almost half a century to Chertsey Town and has no plans to stop just yet.

The 77-year-old first got involved with The Curfews in 1974 after being convinced to join the committee and has never looked back, serving as secretary since 1977 as well as helping out in all manner of other roles including groundsman and treasurer.

Gay has seen good times and bad at Alwyns Lane, with the highlight a stint in the royal box at Wembley as Chertsey lifted the FA Vase in 2019.

And while he may not be as busy as he once was, he wouldn’t have his Saturdays any other way.

“It is very much an up and down thing football, all clubs have their day and you have got to enjoy it while it happens and dig in when it doesn’t,” he said.

“I have done a lot of digging!

“There have been a lot of ups and downs, but it has opened up a lot of other things through meeting different people.

“There’s a high interest in football in Chertsey and it brings people in. We like to think we are part of the community.

“I am trying to wind down a bit now, so I don’t get involved too much extra side projects. Being the secretary, doing the programme and the match reports is enough for me, I know I am slowing down a bit!

“But it just gives me that warm feeling, you get something out of it when you give pleasure to others. It sounds a bit high and mighty but it’s true.

“It is about being part of a community. Not just the football club, but more widely. When we won the Vase, we took the trophy down the high street, and it was like being royalty; everybody came up to you and wanted a photo. It was amazing.”

The Curfews currently compete in the Pitching In Isthmian League South Central division, the eighth tier of English football, after promotion the same year they won the Vase.

It was the perfect season for Gay and though he may have ticked two items of his football bucket list, he is committed to helping the club to continue to grow through the hours he continues to devote on a voluntary basis each week.

Gay is one of thousands of volunteers who dedicate their time to non-league clubs up and down the country, with opportunities to get involved now easier to find than ever through the Pitching In Volunteer Hub.

He added: “The FA Vase was a highlight of mine, I was in the royal box even if part of me wanted to be in with the fans. I am very much a back room boy, I am not one to be at the forefront.

“We won the league which was the first time the club had won the league all the time I was there, so that was two of my ambitions ticked off.

“I thought going to Wembley was a bit pie in the sky but so much has changed over the years.

“The club now is connected to youth football, we are getting about 420 as an average gate which is the second-best in the league behind Guernsey.”

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

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