Ian Dobbs, Chair, Cranleigh Football Club, pays tribute to the community for helping to keep football accessible to the village and surrounding areas
As Chair of Cranleigh Football Club, I’m thrilled to share some exciting updates and express my heartfelt thanks to everyone who makes our club what it is today. Over recent years, we’ve grown from strength to strength, now boasting over 500 registered players who light up the pitch every week with their passion and energy. This fantastic progress wouldn’t have been possible without the unwavering commitment of our volunteers. From coaches and administrators to groundskeepers and event organisers—your dedication is the heartbeat of our club, and for that, I am incredibly grateful.
We remain committed to making football accessible to everyone in our community. That’s why we’ve expanded our programmes, with a special focus on women and girls, ensuring they have every opportunity to enjoy and excel in the sport. We’ve also introduced walking football for older adults, offering a brilliant way to stay active and socially connected. Football really is for everyone, and we’re proud to turn that vision into reality.
A massive thank you must also go to Cranleigh Parish Council, whose unwavering support has been instrumental in our success. We simply couldn’t have achieved as much as we have without their partnership.
I’m especially proud to share that we’ve maintained our England Football-accredited status for over a decade now. This speaks volumes about our commitment to providing a safe, supportive, and fun environment for all members of our footballing family.
Looking ahead, we’re setting our sights even higher. We’re working towards achieving the 3-Star Community Club award, which will see us continue to improve our facilities, expand our programmes, and deepen our community outreach. This will open the door to even more opportunities for personal growth, teamwork, and fostering that unbeatable Cranleigh spirit.
In closing, I want to extend my sincere thanks to everyone involved with Cranleigh FC. Your passion, hard work, and dedication make this club a shining example of community spirit. Together, with the continued support of Cranleigh Parish Council, we’ll keep building a vibrant, inclusive, and thriving football community that we can all be proud of. Here’s to many more years of success, growth, and shared joy, both on and off the pitch.
