Bob Richardson - Kit Man & Discipline Commission Chairman

I have been involved in football since leaving school at 16. I played for Magpies as a junior then Rozel Rovers, Jersey Wanderers, St Brelade and finally Grouville Football Club in 1971. I Played for Grouville until 1982 then took up refereeing. During my time as a referee I was fortunate to travel to UK to referee a number of FA Vase games. I finished refereeing aged 50. I continued as secretary of Grouville FC until 2012, having completed 33 years in the post.

Since then I have held three voluntary posts at the JFA; from the Disciplinary Commission chairman, Jersey FA kit man and the NatWest Island Games football team co-ordinator during the 2015 & 2017 tournaments.

During my time in football I have been fortunate to receive a number of honors: Chartered Standard regional administrator award (2002), Jersey Sports Council Award - The Colin Welsh Memorial Trophy (2012) and the Jersey FA football workforce award (2015).

All of my involvement in football has given me the opportunity to enjoy helping others enjoy our great game.

Mark le Cornu - Referee Appointments Secretary

I first became a football volunteer in season 1979-80 and have had at least one role in administration every year since then. I was elected to Grouville FC general committee at the AGM at the end of my first season playing for them after I returned home from university. Within a couple of years I was appointed as assistant secretary and was then club treasurer from 1986 until 1996. I had qualified as a referee in 1991 and finished playing football at the end of 1992-93 to concentrate on “the whistle”. As a member of the Jersey Football Referees’ Association (JFRA) I soon offered to help out where possible and was the supplies officer for a couple of seasons, then treasurer for three years.

In 1997 I was elected to the Jersey Football Combination as referee appointments secretary, and served for three seasons, then immediately taking over as the registrations secretary, which I did for another four years. I was most honoured to be one of the league vice presidents for eleven years and was still acting as deputy for my two previous roles when colleagues were on holiday. I did the fixtures for one year and then came back to look after junior registrations eight years ago, amalgamating it with the seniors over the last few seasons.

I am now one of the JFRA vice presidents and am also qualified as a referee assessor.

Why am I a Football Volunteer? First and foremost, because I love and care about the game. I also do it to put something back into the sport I played for twenty seasons, rather than just walk away. Initially, I did it because I worked shifts and had some time midweek to do things, but guess it’s now become more of a way of life rather than just a hobby, and I’m not quite sure what I would do if I wasn’t involved like I am.