News & Events

Rob Burns: Rob Burns was at the time simply called Mr Bewdley Town. Rob brought Bewdley back to life when the comrades folded, he was also instrumental in raising the much needed money to buy the Ribbesford meadows ground. Rob was also secretary at the time and gained recognition from the Kidderminster league for his great contribution. Rob was very prominent has the one of the major backbones of the Bewdley Town committee, however, Rob sadly left the club more than 12 years ago but occasionally pops down to see how the club are doing.

Craig Payton: Craig is one of the only few remaining longest serving members of Bewdley Town FC. After finishing his football career Craig took on the responsible for running the Sunday senior side. At the time there were no Managers awards at the club and the committee recognised the impact Craig had started at the club. Craig assembled some of the best footballers in Bewdley and stared to climb leagues and also win many cups. although the Sunday side never reached the Sunday premier Craig's contribution was immense and shortly after Craig took on the big responsibility of running the Saturday senior side and everyone knows just how successful that is.

Carol Hinton: Carol won this award for her organisational skills and hard work. At the time carol was the clubhouse manager and was responsible for the clubhouse being run efficiently and was in a word spotless. Carol had a no nonsense approach to the players, star or not if they messed up the clubhouse then they were in trouble. The job was a thankless task and many people didn't really understand the effort and hours spent at the club cleaning and tidying up after everyone, It was a well deserved award.

Derry Thompson: Derry was very instrumental at the time in starting the ball rolling with the advancement of Bewdley Town FC. With his catchword "I'll do that" he literally did. Derry was the secretary at the time and much more. Always putting in 100% Derry was sometimes unfairly criticised for sometimes missing a few things, but everyone at the club knew how important he was and the great job he did. there are many tales to be told about the committee meetings then, none more so than the throwing of a book at Mr Robert Burns. But the committee at that time showed a passion to move Bewdley forward. Derry was one of the key figures in doing that.

Mick Thompson: Well, if there was ever a character at Bewdley, then this has to go to Mick. Mick still comes down to the ground to watch the lads and to do a little bit of unnoticed cleaning and tidying. Mick was the grounds man for Bewdley and has never been replaced. the pitches were his baby and what Mick said was law. Although often the many reasons for arguments at the club concerning the ground. Mick stood firm, and it was no surprise when people came to the club that they always remarked on the state of the pitches and how well they looked. Mick was constantly at the ground doing one thing or another and if an award was more deserved then it was this one.

Wayne Payton: Wayne is another long serving member at the club. Famous for his goalkeeping heroics in the early years and sometimes having the unfair title of co-co the clown, Wayne in fact was a very good goalkeeper. Wayne won this award for his contribution to the team that year winning the league and cup but also in his voluntary capacity of raising quite a large sum of money for the club. (more on Wayne 1999-00).

Chris Middleton: Chris is the one of the longest serving members at Bewdley Town Football Club and after retiring from football took his FA coaching badge and immediately recognised the need for youth teams and the development of children's football in Bewdley. Being the only coach at Bewdley Chris set up the mini kickers and in his first year raised around £1.400 for the club. Chris then involved parents and was responsible for Bewdley now having boys teams at the club. Chris was also instrumental in using money from the Mini Kickers to fund coaches Melissa Fowler being the first female coach in the area funded by the mini kickers. Chris took a break from mini kickers and youth development in 2001 but returned as head coach when Wayne Payton rescued the mini kickers in 2004. The title of Mr Bewdley Town was always associated with Rob Burns and now Craig Payton, But Chris will be remembered for starting the football programme in youth teams and players that many of the first team have today.

Craig Payton: Its very difficult to say that Craig won this award for just one thing. At the time Craig had stepped up from running the Sunday side to taking over the helm in one of the most difficult jobs of running the Saturday Kidderminster Premier side. Bewdley at the time was not a major football force back then, often relying on an a handful of players to turn up most weeks. Craig not only started to build what is now one of the most talked about teams in the area, it was also his commitment to the club and the other various duties. Where it has be said that Rob Burns was Mr Bewdley Town, the same could now be said of Craig. Without the input that Craig has given Bewdley would not be at the standard they are now and would probably still be a team of players coming out of the pub before kick off.

Paul Didlick: Paul was more known for his outstanding ability as a goalkeeper with the club than anything else. However, Paul kindly stepped in as treasurer for a few years and won the award for one of the most difficult jobs in any club. Paul had a outspoken attitude and was capable of throwing his dummy out when when people didn't respond. All the ingredients for a treasurer. A well deserved winner. Paul left the club shortly afterwards due to new family commitments.

Mick Thompson: (repeated) Well, if there was ever a character at Bewdley, then this has to go to Mick. Mick still comes down to the ground to watch the lads and to do a little bit of unnoticed cleaning and tidying. Mick was the grounds man for Bewdley and has never been replaced. the pitches were his baby and what Mick said was law. Although often the many reasons for arguments at the club concerning the ground. Mick stood firm, and it was no surprise when people came to the club that they always remarked on the state of the pitches and how well they looked. Mick was constantly at the ground doing one thing or another and if an award was more deserved then it was this one.

Derry Thompson: Derry was very instrumental at the time in starting the ball rolling with the advancement of Bewdley Town FC. With his catchword "I'll do that" he literally did. Derry was the secretary at the time and much more. Always putting in 100% Derry was sometimes unfairly criticised for sometimes missing a few things, but everyone at the club knew how important he was and the great job he did. there are many tales to be told about the committee meetings then, none more so than the throwing of a book at Mr Robert Burns. But the committee at that time showed a passion to move Bewdley forward. Derry was one of the key figures in doing that. Derry unfortunately for the club left after a few more years, but his service was invaluable and sometimes overlooked.

Carol Hinton: (repeated) Carol won this award again for her organisational skills and hard work. At the time carol was the clubhouse manager and was responsible for the clubhouse being run efficiently and was in a word spotless. Carol had a no nonsense approach to the players, star or not if they messed up the clubhouse then they were in trouble. The job was a thankless task and many people didn't really understand the effort and hours spent at the club cleaning and tidying up after everyone, It was a well deserved award. Carol stayed with the Club for a few more years before leaving. It has been very hard to replace Carol and the clubhouse was never the same for a good many years after that.

Geoff Edwards: Geoff is another of the very few long serving members at the club. And when asked how Geoff became involved, his remarks was he was invited to a committee meeting one day and then was suddenly handed the job of secretary and chairman. There is no denial that Geoff has brought the club forward to where it is today. many people who just attend the games, and even the players, will not appreciate the time and hard work involved in these two roles. when people aim criticism at the club it becomes very apparent that they do not know the commitment involved by such people like Geoff. It is very easy to say things haven't been done, but when they are being done by a few people you then understand the enormous task. Geoff was a worthy winner of this award and one of the unsung heroes at the club.

Wayne Payton: Wayne was in a building process with the club, he would later become an outstanding figure with the club for other reasons. At the time this award was given to his outstanding contribution as clubhouse manager. Again its very difficult to say what other duties were involved, but there were many. Wayne was responsible for the smooth running of the clubhouse which people often take for granted. The clubhouse was redecorated which Wayne put his own time and effort into, plus also attending meetings and helping out with match day duties.

Alan James: Alan was a worthy winner in this year, taking on responsibility for the clubhouse is no easy task. Alan did this with great professionalism and was also responsible for the installation and management of draught beer at the club. this in itself was a very difficult job, pipe cleaning, beer deliveries etc. Alan still comes to the club very frequently and supports the lads. however, Alan is no longer involved with the committee.

Mick Thompson: (repeated) Well, if there was ever a character at Bewdley, then this has to go to Mick. Mick still comes down to the ground to watch the lads and to do a little bit of unnoticed cleaning and tidying. Mick was the grounds man for Bewdley and has never been replaced. the pitches were his baby and what Mick said was law. Although often the many reasons for arguments at the club concerning the ground. Mick stood firm, and it was no surprise when people came to the club that they always remarked on the state of the pitches and how well they looked. Mick was constantly at the ground doing one thing or another and if an award was more deserved then it was this one.

Joanne Payton: Joanne is another of the unsung heroes at the club, not only did she have her own job to do plus bring up her children she also climbed into the most difficult job at the club, Treasurer. As with most of us we don't really fully understand the work that is involved with doing this thankless job. With any business and Bewdley town being no different, the finances at a club are very important. Without a treasurer the club would simply not function. Joanne fully deserved this award and in later years would be more of the integral personnel in the running of the club

Wayne Payton: With every club a legacy is always left. Where has Chris Middleton will be remembered for the building blocks of the Mini kickers and football in the community. Wayne undoubtedly has continued to carry on another Legacy. Wayne rescued the waning mini kickers after a big hole was left. Starting has a parent wanting to encourage his son to play football, Wayne soon became instrumental in the reforming and notoriety the Mini Kickers is now. Wayne didn't just sit back, he was so engrossed in what the mini kickers had to offer that he took his level 1 and level 2 coaching badge. the mini Kickers became again one of the biggest fund raisers for the club and also provided football in the community for Bewdley. The time and effort that Wayne put in earned him the prestigious club person of the year award.

Mike Richardson: After helping to run a boys team at Bewdley, Mike found himself at a loose end one year when two teams joined into one. Mike kindly offered to be youth development co-ordinator which involves a lot of hard work and commitment. Mike was responsible for attending youth meetings and organising many events with the youth set up. Mike was also responsible for raising money through his organisational skills with the youth sides. Mike was a very worthy winner in this year, unfortunately however, has in most cases people have commitments and Mike did not stay in the job for much longer, but nevertheless a very worthy winner.

Geoff Edwards: (repeated) Geoff is another of the very few long serving members at the club. And when asked how Geoff became involved, his remarks was he was invited to a committee meeting one day and then was suddenly handed the job of secretary and chairman. There is no denial that Geoff has brought the club forward to where it is today. many people who just attend the games, and even the players, will not appreciate the time and hard work involved in these two roles. when people aim criticism at the club it becomes very apparent that they do not know the commitment involved by such people like Geoff. It is very easy to say things haven't been done, but when they are being done by a few people you then understand the enormous task. Geoff was a worthy winner of this award and one of the unsung heroes at the club.

Joanne Payton: Although Joanne had won this award previously for her hard work and time has treasurer, there was no competition for the award this time. juggling family, work, and the treasurers job, Joanne was responsible for co-ordinating the success of the mini kickers. A no nonsense approach is what Joanne brought to the co-ordinating of the mini kickers. In all weathers Joanne was down at the club on a Sunday morning collecting money, organising events, organising age groups, selling merchandise and every other job connected with the club. It is a very tough ask of anyone to repeat the work Joanne has done in the last few years. anybody wish to take this award off her better be prepared to sweat blood.