Here at portadownfc.co.uk we have decided to shine a much deserved light on the volunteers at the club the work so hard behind the scenes to make sure all aspects of your football club work like a well oiled machine, from ticket sellers to clubs shop to media team we all have a part to play and we want to hear from the many stories from all around the club so you can see what they actually get up to and how they contribute.
First up we have Dave Wiggins.
Role at Club: My main current role is that I am the chairperson of WE ARE PORTS (WAP).
How long have you been volunteering at PFC: 7 Years.
Have you always been in this role and if not what else have you around the club: I’ve been involved with WAP in various roles since it started a few years ago. I am also involved with the PSS (Portadown Supporters Society) and help organise things like the Players Shirt Sponsorship Scheme, Match Day 50/50 and Man of the Match award. I’ve also been known to help out the Media Team with fun things such as player interviews and auctioneering at the End of Season Dinner.
What first got you involved: I think it’s easy to moan about things from the sidelines so when someone asked me to join the PSS I got involved. I shouldn’t have waited to be asked as there is always something going on that people can get involved in and it helps you feel part of the club.
What is your earliest memory at PFC: Nothing specific, just sitting with my Dad in the back of the stand as a young child in the 80s and being amazed at the sound of the crowd and the smell of the chips and smoke.
Whats your favourite memory at the Ports: There is a lot to choose from in my 35 years following Portadown, league titles, promotion, cup finals, big matches against bitter rivals but clinching the double in 1991 and the excitement of a cup final win against Glenavon stands out a mile. What a time to be alive!
What is your match day routine at Shamrock Park or an away match: For a home match I don’t arrive too early, maybe 2.30pm. I make sure the stools and bibs are set out for the ball boys & girls and then we pop into the clubrooms for a pre-match drink. I watch the match up at the back of the stand with my son Levi and my dad Rodney and the usual faces. If we win, I usually hang around for an hour after the final whistle or if we get beaten I head home with my tail between my legs to mope about for the rest of the night. I’m a member of Eden Reds and travel to as many away matches as I can with them, which is an experience in itself.
What is something about your role that you do that no-one notices: With WAP it’s the hours that get put in each week in preparation for events or meetings and communicating with the committee and members. We have a hard working committee who really put in a lot of effort to make WAP the success that it is. With the PSS it’s organising trophies and photographs and chasing people for payment of shirt sponsorship (you know who you are!). You wouldn’t do it unless you enjoyed it, which I do.
What do you love about Portadown FC: I have an Instagram project called @PortsPortraits charting our journey to promotion. Shortly before Gowser died I took a photo of him at Shamrock Park and asked him what was his best memory of Portadown Football Club and he said, “everything, every Saturday has been brilliant” and I agree with him.
What is the one thing you are missing about the Ports during the lockdown: One thing? I miss a lot of things but mostly the feeling of watching my local team winning a football match.
We at portadownfc.co.uk are very proud of each one of our hard working volunteers and you can be involved too, no matter what your skill set there is always a place for you at PFC. Just get in touch using the Contact Us page if you want to get involved.