Mark Hayes looking to the future following Ashton Town retirement Announcement
Thu 24th February 2022 | Ashton Town | By Gary Langley
More than a few Eyebrows were raised last week when Mark Hayes, Ashton Town Chairman for 14 Years announced that at the end of this season he would be stepping down as Chairman of the Club. Mark has never been one to do things on the quiet and has always tried to guide his club to the best it can be every season, he has had a successful stint at the club bringing two trophies, a promotion, high profile signings and of course bucket loads of community focussed and charitable events that have put the Ashton in Makerfield club on the map.
We spoke with Mark this week to ask about the circumstances around the decision, about what he wants to do next and of course about what he waould like to see Town achieve before he hangs up his Chairmans Jacket in May.
So Mark, after 14 seasons, 9 Managers, 2 Cups, a couple of ex-Premier League signings and incredibly large amount of community work, you've annoubced that you're calling it a day at Ashton Town come the end of the season. What has prompted this then?
"Not a bad list that is it? However I have reached an age now where I really wanted to make a move just for me, to follow my gut and make a decision that affects myself specifically. I have always looked after others and done my bit for the community and that will never change, however I wanted to add in something for myself. During Covid I, like many had a lot of time to take stock and look at where I am, what I have done and where i'm going and I have reached a point where reflection has prompted a decision.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved the journey I have been on so far, it all stated 14 years or so ago when I used to walk past the ground a bit and my lad, who was 8 years old at the time was looking for a football team. I started nipping in to the ground to see how my own town team were doing and to look at getting my lad into one of the sides. Many people who read this know what non-league football does to you, you get hooked, you start off doing one thing and then sooner or later you are doing many and I loved it. I was eventually appointed Chairman and brought in some outside of the box thinking and some different ideas, over the years as a club we have managed to really managed to capture the imagination around the town."
What does Mark see in the future then, what's next?
"First and foremost I've a job to do at Ashton Town until May. This season has not gone to plan as such but i'll touch on that shortly. We have had a couple of Managerial changes and we have had to chop and change the squad a bit as we have steadied the ship. My main aim is to get us to May safe and to hand the club over to the next Chairman as an appealling prospect with the books in good order and potential on and off the park. After that, i'm going to put my feet up for a short while and try not to think of football... then, we'll see what happens."
It has been an interesting 15 years and there has always been something going on at the club, but what would you say are your biggest achievements in that time?
"Without a doubt it would be bringing silverware to the club. The First Team had been 32 years without winning any silverware and then we went out and won the Atherton Charity Cup which for me was a massive achievement for Ashton Town Football Club. We didn't rest there either as we went out and won the Wigan Senior Cup a few years later. At the end of the day we are all in the game to get something out of it and dream of winning silverware and we went out and did just that.
We have also made the headlines, yes i've done the stunts but it's all been to raise the name of the club, the Town and the causes close to us here in Ashton. I created the opportunity to sign Pascal Chimbonda to play some games for us, through my links with Wigan Athletic and I smile as I recall picking him up in my knackered old Mondeo to take him to Atherton LR away but just talking as friends about World Cup games, Premier League and top level football and I was thinking to myself how amazing that was, albeit in my battered motor but what a footballing guy he is. He just wanted to play football and on that day he was focussed on playing for Ashton Town and going for the win, however first things first, we got to Atherton, first people there and in the social club, Pascal found a portable radiator they had there and parked it in front of him! That week I had also spoken to the likes of L'Equipe and several media outlets about Pascal and Ashton Town.
Emerson Boyce, another great ambassador, Wigan Athletic Icon and another big name who played for us, and I will never forget the image in my head of announcing his signing with a video of Emerson playing the Piano in the Gerard Arms.
Getting a bit more philosophical I have to point also to getting Town back into the National League System after we dropped out after a terrible season. We didnt finish in the top two places in the Cheshire League, however we put a massive effort into making the recovery work and I had to make some quite tough decisions as Chairman at the time to put us in the right stance to get back up. It nearly didnt happen either as after the initial shock of relegation I was at a low in my Football life, I took the relegation personally and I was in one of my mobile football office locations at the time. I recall bumping into another ex-Wigan Athletic player in the form of Neil Rimmer and just talking football with him, who pointed out that you do have to sometimes take a step backwards to re-group, dust off and take two steps forward, you have to trust in your own beliefs and do what you have to do."
So what is the future for Ashton Town then, is there an heir apparent, will you be taking a back seat and becoming el-presidente or is there a master plan?
"No plan at all at the moment, there is no heir apparent as yet as it came to a bit of a shock to the club as well. The club has a good group of people there and they may promote from within or bring someone in but there are a few months between now and the end of the season to sort that out. My main aim is to hand over the club in good condition with a good background and accounts as an appealling prospect to whoever takes on the mantle. It is a great club for a forward thinker and someone who can think outside of the box."
What about the remainder of the season then? What are your thoughts on the season so far, are you satisfied with it or are you like every other Chairman and wanting more?
"I'm thoroughly disappointed so far. Every year we aspire to achieve and we had what we thought was a good plan and a good start, however that brought attention on to our then manager at the time, Dave Dempsey who was offered the opportunity to manage Widnes in the Northern Premier League and as a Chairman I have never stood in the way of anyone who has wanted to progress. We struggled to settle after that to be fair, the play-offs would have been a great prosepect to be part of but even if we do well between now and May, we'll likely come up short in them. It has been a season of missed potential really, Bury AFC have been in the Division and they have sprinkled a bit of glitter on the clubs they have visited but have also been in the Division with fans of football who know their stuff, so that has added an extra dimension to the season.
We had to press the reset button and to be honest I never expected us to have to look over our shoulder in this campaign, however we have had to keep an eye out for trouble in the table. Let us not forget though that our players, like at other clubs are playing for their love of the game and the chance for a bit of glory on a match day, they have come through a pandemic with mulitple lockdowns and some have had trouble keeping hold of jobs and just getting through the week. Football is their release and we are giving these lads a chance to play football at NLS level and we still have planty of points to play for and of course two cup competitions, so it's not over yet. It would be nice though to avoid a relegation battle and build some foundations for the changes that the club face in the coming months."
Last but not least, what do you see as your legacy at the club?
"I will be happy if people recognise me as someone who came into the club, gave it a good crack and someone who brought smiles and a bit of profile to the club and his home town. Having Roberto Martinez turn up to a game at Edge Green Street, set up in the dressing room to manage a side is the stuff of dreams, as was getting to know him and several other of my favorite players. Thanking him personally at my own football club for winning The FA Cup will live with me forever. I'll say this to anyone, if you dream hard enough, put in the graft and think about how to get around obstacles, then that dream will come true, none more than when I recall thinking this when I was with Sir Alex Ferguson in his office."
A big thank you to Mark and we wish him well for the future, in and out of football.
Mark Hayes looking to the future following Ashton Town retirement Announcement
Thu 24th February 2022 | Ashton Town
By Gary Langley
More than a few Eyebrows were raised last week when Mark Hayes, Ashton Town Chairman for 14 Years announced that at the end of this season he would be stepping down as Chairman of the Club. Mark has never been one to do things on the quiet and has always tried to guide his club to the best it can be every season, he has had a successful stint at the club bringing two trophies, a promotion, high profile signings and of course bucket loads of community focussed and charitable events that have put the Ashton in Makerfield club on the map.
We spoke with Mark this week to ask about the circumstances around the decision, about what he wants to do next and of course about what he waould like to see Town achieve before he hangs up his Chairmans Jacket in May.
So Mark, after 14 seasons, 9 Managers, 2 Cups, a couple of ex-Premier League signings and incredibly large amount of community work, you've annoubced that you're calling it a day at Ashton Town come the end of the season. What has prompted this then?
"Not a bad list that is it? However I have reached an age now where I really wanted to make a move just for me, to follow my gut and make a decision that affects myself specifically. I have always looked after others and done my bit for the community and that will never change, however I wanted to add in something for myself. During Covid I, like many had a lot of time to take stock and look at where I am, what I have done and where i'm going and I have reached a point where reflection has prompted a decision.
Don't get me wrong, I've loved the journey I have been on so far, it all stated 14 years or so ago when I used to walk past the ground a bit and my lad, who was 8 years old at the time was looking for a football team. I started nipping in to the ground to see how my own town team were doing and to look at getting my lad into one of the sides. Many people who read this know what non-league football does to you, you get hooked, you start off doing one thing and then sooner or later you are doing many and I loved it. I was eventually appointed Chairman and brought in some outside of the box thinking and some different ideas, over the years as a club we have managed to really managed to capture the imagination around the town."
What does Mark see in the future then, what's next?
"First and foremost I've a job to do at Ashton Town until May. This season has not gone to plan as such but i'll touch on that shortly. We have had a couple of Managerial changes and we have had to chop and change the squad a bit as we have steadied the ship. My main aim is to get us to May safe and to hand the club over to the next Chairman as an appealling prospect with the books in good order and potential on and off the park. After that, i'm going to put my feet up for a short while and try not to think of football... then, we'll see what happens."
It has been an interesting 15 years and there has always been something going on at the club, but what would you say are your biggest achievements in that time?
"Without a doubt it would be bringing silverware to the club. The First Team had been 32 years without winning any silverware and then we went out and won the Atherton Charity Cup which for me was a massive achievement for Ashton Town Football Club. We didn't rest there either as we went out and won the Wigan Senior Cup a few years later. At the end of the day we are all in the game to get something out of it and dream of winning silverware and we went out and did just that.
We have also made the headlines, yes i've done the stunts but it's all been to raise the name of the club, the Town and the causes close to us here in Ashton. I created the opportunity to sign Pascal Chimbonda to play some games for us, through my links with Wigan Athletic and I smile as I recall picking him up in my knackered old Mondeo to take him to Atherton LR away but just talking as friends about World Cup games, Premier League and top level football and I was thinking to myself how amazing that was, albeit in my battered motor but what a footballing guy he is. He just wanted to play football and on that day he was focussed on playing for Ashton Town and going for the win, however first things first, we got to Atherton, first people there and in the social club, Pascal found a portable radiator they had there and parked it in front of him! That week I had also spoken to the likes of L'Equipe and several media outlets about Pascal and Ashton Town.
Emerson Boyce, another great ambassador, Wigan Athletic Icon and another big name who played for us, and I will never forget the image in my head of announcing his signing with a video of Emerson playing the Piano in the Gerard Arms.
Getting a bit more philosophical I have to point also to getting Town back into the National League System after we dropped out after a terrible season. We didnt finish in the top two places in the Cheshire League, however we put a massive effort into making the recovery work and I had to make some quite tough decisions as Chairman at the time to put us in the right stance to get back up. It nearly didnt happen either as after the initial shock of relegation I was at a low in my Football life, I took the relegation personally and I was in one of my mobile football office locations at the time. I recall bumping into another ex-Wigan Athletic player in the form of Neil Rimmer and just talking football with him, who pointed out that you do have to sometimes take a step backwards to re-group, dust off and take two steps forward, you have to trust in your own beliefs and do what you have to do."
So what is the future for Ashton Town then, is there an heir apparent, will you be taking a back seat and becoming el-presidente or is there a master plan?
"No plan at all at the moment, there is no heir apparent as yet as it came to a bit of a shock to the club as well. The club has a good group of people there and they may promote from within or bring someone in but there are a few months between now and the end of the season to sort that out. My main aim is to hand over the club in good condition with a good background and accounts as an appealling prospect to whoever takes on the mantle. It is a great club for a forward thinker and someone who can think outside of the box."
What about the remainder of the season then? What are your thoughts on the season so far, are you satisfied with it or are you like every other Chairman and wanting more?
"I'm thoroughly disappointed so far. Every year we aspire to achieve and we had what we thought was a good plan and a good start, however that brought attention on to our then manager at the time, Dave Dempsey who was offered the opportunity to manage Widnes in the Northern Premier League and as a Chairman I have never stood in the way of anyone who has wanted to progress. We struggled to settle after that to be fair, the play-offs would have been a great prosepect to be part of but even if we do well between now and May, we'll likely come up short in them. It has been a season of missed potential really, Bury AFC have been in the Division and they have sprinkled a bit of glitter on the clubs they have visited but have also been in the Division with fans of football who know their stuff, so that has added an extra dimension to the season.
We had to press the reset button and to be honest I never expected us to have to look over our shoulder in this campaign, however we have had to keep an eye out for trouble in the table. Let us not forget though that our players, like at other clubs are playing for their love of the game and the chance for a bit of glory on a match day, they have come through a pandemic with mulitple lockdowns and some have had trouble keeping hold of jobs and just getting through the week. Football is their release and we are giving these lads a chance to play football at NLS level and we still have planty of points to play for and of course two cup competitions, so it's not over yet. It would be nice though to avoid a relegation battle and build some foundations for the changes that the club face in the coming months."
Last but not least, what do you see as your legacy at the club?
"I will be happy if people recognise me as someone who came into the club, gave it a good crack and someone who brought smiles and a bit of profile to the club and his home town. Having Roberto Martinez turn up to a game at Edge Green Street, set up in the dressing room to manage a side is the stuff of dreams, as was getting to know him and several other of my favorite players. Thanking him personally at my own football club for winning The FA Cup will live with me forever. I'll say this to anyone, if you dream hard enough, put in the graft and think about how to get around obstacles, then that dream will come true, none more than when I recall thinking this when I was with Sir Alex Ferguson in his office."
A big thank you to Mark and we wish him well for the future, in and out of football.
