Morecambe FC Community Sports' Head of Community, Janet Preston, is stepping down after 20 years of loyal service, to spend more time with her family.
Janet has been with the charity since its inception as a ‘Football in the Community Scheme’ when the Club was in non-league football and based at Christie Park. Leading the organisation on its’ journey to becoming a fully-fledged charity in 2007, Janet gained national recognition from peers along the way.
During that time, Janet has worked with five first-team managers, two interim managers and hundreds of players, ensuring that they played their part in the community.
Janet has fulfilled a number of roles in addition to leading the Charity, including being both the Club and Academy Safeguarding Manager, an Academy house parent for scholars in her home and leading on EFL/Club matchday initiatives, to name but a few.
Janet said: "It has been an absolute honour to lead Community Sports for the last 20 years, improving the lives of so many people in the community, through our range of projects.
"I have had the pleasure of working with some wonderful people inside and outside of Morecambe Football Club, working with fantastic partners and developing long lasting friendships. Morecambe FC Community Sports and the football club will always be a part of me, but I feel now is the right time to pass the baton on to enable me to spend some deserved quality time with my family.
"I leave the charity in a strong position and safe hands, with a dedicated team to take the charity onwards.''
Morecambe FC Community Sports Chair of Trustees, Stephen Wright, said: “It is difficult to summarise in a few words what Janet has delivered over the years for Community Sports and the Club. She has been a fantastic ambassador for us, locally and nationally”.
Morecambe Football Club Co-Chairman Rod Taylor said: “The Community programme has developed from an embryonic idea to what it is today, and Janet can take great pride in her role along that 20 year journey.
"A Community programme is a vital heartbeat of any football club and the wider community, sometimes with initiatives that are not at the forefront of the public's awareness. We wish Janet and her family well for the future and look forward to seeing her at the Mazuma Stadium on matchdays.”