We want to be more than just a football club for this town - but we need support to kick on
The 2023-24 campaign was one of progress for Curzon Ashton FC.
A seventh-placed finish in the National League North saw them reach the play-offs and despite a penalty shoot-out defeat, brought to an end a season that had plenty of positives to look back on.
With the new football season underway with a 3-0 home win against Needham Market, Curzon, based in Ashton-under-Lyne, are back in action at their Tameside Stadium home. The aim is for another play-off run, but what is also important for the club is increasing its supporter numbers and to continue making themselves a real community club.
Oliver Newall has been on the board at Curzon Ashton for the last three years, but his involvement with the football club goes back much further. His uncle, Gary, was manager for 11 years.
Over the years, he has chaired the supporters club and run the club’s media channels. He is currently the stadium announcer- meaning it's fair to say Curzon is in his blood.
Oliver said: “Over the last 10 years I have overseen lots of different initiatives to try and improve our fanbase: ‘pay what you can afford’, ‘football for a fiver’ and most notably our ‘affordable football membership scheme’.
“We are always striving to be better. Last season was remarkable but what it has done is proved we can compete at this level despite our budget. Obviously the primary aim is to maintain our status in this division but achieving the play-offs again is a realistic target.”
'Ordinary Mancs, extraordinary stories'
You’re currently reading the new-look Manchester World and we’d love for you to have a look around the site and tell us what you think. We’ve got you covered however you digest your news. You can sign up to our new bumper Friday newsletter but if video is more your thing, you can follow us on TikTok.
The club reached out to the community for suggestions and ideas of how they think the club can be grown. Oliver was left feeling positive by the enthusiasm and suggestions shown by the community.
“On the whole, [there was] lots of positivity. Many people in the community have recognised that we are reaching out for people’s support and ideas. At the end of the day we are extremely proud of what we achieve as a club and we want the community to be as well. We have taken on board lots of suggestions and are actively working towards putting some in place in the near future. “
The football club has been there for the community in many ways in addition to being a place for fans to gather on a Saturday afternoon. Oliver wants the club to do even more.
“Curzon has always played a big role within our community whether that is food bank support, supporting the homeless, walking football, pan-disability teams or our thriving junior set up. We want to be more than just a football club to the people of Ashton and the surrounding areas.”
Oliver paid tribute to the fanbase that has supported the club in recent years. However, he went on to acknowledge how they need this support to grow, and they hope to get more people through the turnstiles in this coming campaign.
“We have a fantastic committed group of supporters that back us home and away. Without them our football club wouldn’t exist. However, to progress we need more support. What we offer is fantastic, our current supporters would vouch that it’s just getting people through the gate for the first time which is our issue. We are actively looking at new ways we can make it more affordable to watch Curzon for the first time and we hope to release these soon.”
Curzon Ashton FC are next at home on August 20 against Oxford City and this game is a 7.45pm kick off. To check out the full fixture list for the 2024-25 season, visit the club website.