.....maintain the Vanarama National League North club’s upward momentum.

Tony Wilson, Managing Director, has wasted no time in appointing his team ahead of his own start date in September, ready to hit the ground running.

The new Board comprises three successful individuals who have experience at board level of football clubs and businesses. 

The members are Debra Swinburn, Partner with Evans and Co Solicitors, Ian Walker of James Burrell, and former Darlington FC CEO and Director David Mills, who was a hugely popular figure with the Quakers and was instrumental in their move to Blackwell Meadows.

Wilson said: “I’m delighted to have secured the services of the trio, who will each bring something new and valuable to the club.

“We are clear that Spennymoor’s excellent progress over recent years must be maintained and our plans both on and off the pitch reflect this. We also need to reduce our reliance on the Chief Executive, who has previously outlined the necessity for us to become more self-sufficient. Having a strong, capable and invested board is an important first step in this.”

Chief Executive Bradley Groves said: “I’m thrilled to have the new board in place to support Tony in executing our strategy over the coming seasons. This is the most formal the club’s structure has been and the most experience and expertise we’ve had at our disposal. I’m confident all four members of the Board will be significant and valuable assets.”

Debra Swinburn has managed the Spennymoor office of Evans and Co Solicitors for 24 years, specialising in commercial property, licensing, business, conveyancing and charity matters. She is now looking to become a registered football intermediary and has been a Trustee of Spennymoor Town youth section for four years, so she’s more than familiar with the inner workings and personnel of the club.

Ian Walker has been a Business Development Manager for James Burrell for more than fifteen years and also played a role at Board level with Durham City as a result of his passion for local non-League football.

His role at Durham involved securing and managing commercial relationships with partners, utilising his extensive network of business contacts. He was instrumental as a key figure in Durham’s non-League rise to prominence in his time with the club.

David Mills was instrumental in Darlington’s progress between 2012 and 2016 as Director and then Chief Executive. 

He has also been Commercial Director at Bishop Auckland for the last eighteen months, following a thirty-three-year career in education as both a teacher and in senior management and leadership roles.

Wilson said: “I’ve worked with Debra for years now.  She’s both a valuable advisor to the club in a legal capacity and a very well-connected businesswoman, whom I respect greatly. She’s already been important for the Academy and I look forward to her influence spreading across the full club.

“Ian’s professional network will be invaluable for what we’re aiming to achieve. He’ll be an important part of our link with regional businesses and what Spennymoor Town can offer commercially.

“Likewise, David has seen it all in non-league football and his experience will be extremely valuable. He has a great network both within football and education, so his influence will be felt in our academy as well”.