WESTBURY United have moved quickly to appoint Sam Gooding as chairman of the club following the resignation of the club’s previous chairman, Greg Coulson.
Sam Gooding, founder and director of Gooding Accounts in town, is a former player and manager of Westbury United and he was immediately targeted by the club to fill the role given his knowledge and reputation within local football.
Speaking after his appointment, Sam said, “It has all happened really quickly. I had a number of phone calls and messages from people at the club and we then had a four-hour meeting to explore all the options and see what work was required.
“Greg has done a fantastic job in progressing the club to where it is now and I wish him all the best with his break from the game and everyone at the club fully understands his reasons for needing to step down at this time.
“I was immediately struck by the passion the people who look after the club have for Westbury United and it’s key to me that we have to maintain the momentum from the previous seasons and bring everyone together to ensure we start the season on the front foot and that the club is in the strongest position possible.”
Westbury United achieved the highest finish the club had ever managed last season and their second-place finish secured promotion to the Southern League for the first time in its history.
Sam added, “The Southern League is a huge step for the club and we have to approach it with a professional and business mindset to make sure we can provide the best outcome for the joint managers, Ricky Hulbert and Lewis Porter. They have performed a fantastic job to date and have the full support of myself and everyone else at the club.
“I am keen as chairman to embrace the community within the town and bring more people to the football club whilst at the same time bringing the football club to more people in the town. We had a wonderful charity event at the club recently organised by Westbury Youth FC, raising money for Wiltshire Mind, and to see the local turnout and all the youth players enjoying themselves makes you realise what can be achieved if we get things right as a club.
“I will be working hard behind the scenes to build or rebuild relationships with all supporters and sponsors in the town which will only benefit the club in the long run. The initial response to my appointment has been very flattering and hopefully shows the club is serious about improving all aspects of the club moving forward.
“In the immediate future everyone at the club is pulling together and are focused on the ground improvements required by the end of next March 2023 and ensuring the whole club is in the best place to start the season come August.”
