With relegation confirmed, signalling our exit from the NPL Premier Division after 6 seasons at this level, I must clarify how the club will deal with the relegation.

Firstly, we have some amazing fans and a very loyal core bunch of volunteers, many of whom I & we call personal friends. We give you all our sincere apologies for what has been nothing short of a difficult season both on and off the pitch.

Whilst we as a Senior Board must look closely at the failings of this campaign, we will do so with positivity and a clear desire that 25/26 we will seek to win more than we lose, and build based on small steps to achieve what will be a 3-year approach & plan. This plan will be to not only get this club back up, but do it in a way where we can hopefully replicate the 1st three years of promotion back at Step 3 from the 2018-2021 period.

The first burning question concerns me as an Owner. I made it very clear 24/25 was to be my last season for no other reason than age, and as such, I have taken a massive step back in control and influence. I do, though, now intend to put any thoughts of retirement on hold and commit to the 3 year plan, as I didn’t envisage going out off the back of a relegation. This, obviously, from me is the assurance a decent level of financial funding will remain to make us more than competitive at Step 4. But more so I back myself working closely with the senior management team to turn this round quickly and reinvigorate our identity at the forefront of Nottingham City Non-league football.

In terms of Chairman David Lilley and 1st team manager, Willis Francis & the respective management teams, no blame of relegation is apportioned in their direction, and I did make this clear at the time of appointment. David and I will plot the rebound, but we will look to add key colleagues to form a tight inner circle at the top end hierarchy of the club.

So, to confirm, Willis Francis has been asked to continue and form a management team for 25/26 promptly, to start planning retention and recruitment immediately.

So in short, we will lick our wounds like I am sure all of our loyal fans and followers, but expect a very reinvigorated Basford United FC 1st team for 2025/26.

To reinforce our collective Senior message and vision, we will be holding a Q&A for fans and followers to answer any questions in an open forum. We will communicate the date in due course.

Unfortunately, our Ladies have also suffered relegation from Tier 5 this season, and I do intend to take this section under my joint control from 25/26 and like the men, plot a very positive future for the ladies. Again, I will seek stability by maintaining the Ladies senior Management of Chris Mellors and Simon Warwick but will look to make additions to support to plot their return to Tier 5.