Award can help Bilston Town build for future
They were close to going under eight years ago, but thanks to the hard-work of a core team of volunteers, one Black Country football club now have their sights firmly set on the future.
Bilston Town Community have carried out a lot of work in the community for young footballers in the last decade, and their efforts have now been acknowledged by no other than Her Majesty The Queen.
The club, who are based at Queen Street in Bilston, have been awarded the Queen's Award for Voluntary Service - the equivalent of an 'MBE'.
It is an award that is richly deserved, said Wolverhampton South East MP Pat McFadden who was made honorary president in late 2015.
"I want to pay huge tribute to Graham Hodson and Denise Frankham, the chairman and vice chairman of the club, who run the club with love and passion" said McFadden.
"I think this award they have received is richly deserved and is testament to the huge commitment that Graham and Denise have put in to keep the club going."
Eight years ago the historic club, formed in 1894, were 'in trouble', said Mr McFadden, due to financial difficulties.
"There was a danger they would also lose the ground and maybe go out of business altogether," he said.
"The ground had been broken into and targeted by vandals. Work was needed to secure the ground.
"I worked hard with the late Bilston East councillor Bert Turner, along with the council, and some other people to rescue the club and make sure they can keep playing at the Queen Street ground.
"Graham and Denise came in and they have stabilised the ground and taken it into a much more secure footing."
Hodson became chairman in 2009 and dedicated the award to the team of volunteers who help run the club, in particular vice-chairman Denise Frankham, club secretary Paul Lloyd and committee members Eddie Fellows and John Mumford.
No one gets paid at the club and they rely on outside funding to run the football teams.
But Hodson hopes the new royal seal of approval will help the club to attract future investment.
Bilston are planning to develop four new youth teams for the upcoming 2017/18 season. The teams will be set up for the ages of under-16s, under-14s, under-10s mini soccer.
The club are looking ahead to the future where they can develop young players who can make the transition into the senior team.
They organise football matches for youngsters each week at the ground which are held every Tuesday and Thursday.
"Bilston Town is not just about the adult football team," said McFadden.
"There is a lot of youth teams. Young people get to play in a stadium and under flood lights. It gives them the experience to play at a football ground.
"Bilston Town Community is a huge asset to the area.
"They (Graham and Denise) are still running it on a low budget but they have managed to make gradual improvements and they have done a fantastic job."
So what is the secret to the club's success?
"It is hard work really," said Hodson. "Everybody pulls in the same direction.
"We never thought we would get this award from the Queen."
Hodson hopes the arrival of new youth teams will help to develop more young players at the club.
"The young players will be able to move into the senior squad," he said.
"It will be a long term development but it won't happen overnight.
"Kids could play from the age of nine or 10 and if they wanted to, they could play until they were 35 or 36."
Bilston will receive a certificate and commemorative crystal bowel from the Queen as part of the award.
The items will be presented by the Queen's deputy lieutenant, who will travel down to the club in person to hand out them out personally.
