Marlborough Youth Football Club Restructure to Focus on Disability Football

Marlborough Youth FC has announced a significant change to its leadership team, with long-serving Chair Stu Slater stepping away from executive responsibilities to focus on the Club’s inclusion and disability football programme.

After more than a decade at the helm, Stu will become Honorary Club President, allowing him to dedicate more time to pan-disability football at the Club. The change comes as Marlborough Youth FC continues to gain recognition for its work in creating accessible football opportunities for players of all abilities.

John Whitehead will succeed Stu as Club Chair, with Hayley Bailey taking over as Club Secretary.

During Stu’s eleven years as Chair, the Club has grown both on and off the pitch, now supporting over 500 players and more than 100 volunteers across the community. He has been central to creating the club’s organisational structure, governance and ethos, as well as expanding the overall football provision, including the regeneration of girls’ football, the introduction of walking football, and the establishment of disability football as a core part of the Club’s future direction.

He has also strengthened the Club’s community value through improved engagement, sponsorship support and digital platforms, while rebuilding ties with Marlborough Town, culminating in a formal FA Club Association Agreement and the creation of MYFC’s physical history and a clubhouse home. Together, this provides a pathway from youth football into Marlborough’s adult men’s and ladies’ teams. This progress has recently been recognised through England Football 3-Star Accreditation.

In his new role, Stu will lead MYFC’s inclusion and disability programme, building on recent progress that has already seen the launch of dedicated pan-disability sessions and the Club’s first disability football match. The Club aims to further expand flexible and accessible football opportunities for players with a wide range of needs, ensuring participation remains community-led, welcoming and developmental. The sessions are aimed particularly at players who may never previously have played football, may not feel comfortable in mainstream football environments, including those with learning difficulties, who are neurodivergent, or who have physical disabilities.

Alongside his inclusion role, Stu will remain involved in wider Club activity as Community Lead, overseeing MYFC’s public presence and acting as custodian of the clubhouse and its honours boards, trophy cabinet and club records at Elcot Lane.

Incoming Chair John Whitehead said: “Stu’s contribution to Marlborough Youth FC over more than a decade has been immense, and the Club would simply not be where it is today without his commitment, vision and leadership. We are delighted that he will continue to play an important role, particularly in helping drive forward our inclusion and disability football provision. We are all committed to the success of this programme.”

If you are interested in playing Inclusion and Disability football, MYFC have two age groups: 12-16 and 16-18. 

Contact Stu Slater at disabilityfootball@myfc.club

MYFC’s Inclusion and Disability Football Teams are kindly sponsored by Marlborough College.

They are also kindly supported by Sassyandferal.co.ukMYFC Leadership Restructure with a Focus on Disability Football