Dear Farmy Army,
On behalf of The Board of Directors and Committee, we are pleased to formally welcome Sean Allen as the new Chairman of Bristol Manor Farm Football Club. This marks a significant chapter in The Farm’s storied history, built on resilience, community, and a shared passion for non-league football.
Since our inception in 1960 and its rebirth in 1962, Bristol Manor Farm has thrived under the steadfast stewardship of an incredible individual, Geoff Sellek. His unwavering dedication to the club remains an inspiration to us all and something that can never be easily replaced. Since then, we have doffed our caps to three fantastic individuals who each took on the helm of the club during challenging times: Gill Callaghan, Troy Harrington, and Tony Parsons. We owe them our heartfelt gratitude, as each has played a vital role in ensuring the club’s operations and success.
Sean’s appointment represents a long-term investment in the future of our club. With his leadership, we are confident in future-proofing Bristol Manor Farm for years to come, ensuring that The Creek remains a hub of joy and pride for us all. This is further bolstered by the exciting milestone achieved last year: a 25-year lease extension securing matches at our cherished home.
Speaking to the club, Allen commented: “I am thrilled to be stepping into the role of Chairman at this amazing club! Since the summer, I have been made to feel very welcome by the fans, and it is my aim to help bring glory to Bristol Manor Farm.
“Our ambitions for this club are still to reach the Southern Premier League, with longer-term plans to progress to the National League. Beyond football, I also aim to revitalise the much-loved community spirit of the social club by creating a business plan to ensure its success.
“I greatly admire the legendary Geoff Sellek, and I aim to continue and build on his legacy, taking this club to new heights.”
Recent developments have demonstrated our collective determination to improve and progress. The installation of state-of-the-art LED floodlights has been a significant enhancement, and with the support of key personnel, we anticipate even more improvements at The NL Services Stadium. As we set our sights on pushing to the next level, your support will be critical in making these aspirations a reality.
Speaking of support, the Farmy Army has been nothing short of remarkable. Since football’s return after the pandemic, we’ve seen a record-breaking 47% increase in supporter attendance—the highest across the non-league pyramid last season. The energy you all give has not gone unnoticed, and we cannot thank you enough for your continued enthusiasm, whether at matches or social events. Let’s keep this momentum going as Manager Lee and his team enter the crucial and action-packed festive period. They need your support more than ever as we look to climb the table.
As Sean steps into his role, we’re all excited to embark on this new journey with the Farmy Army. Sean will oversee the long-term strategy for both the football and social club, and we are ready to support his efforts wholeheartedly. To that end, we are always on the lookout for new volunteers to join the team. If you have skills or experience that could benefit the club, please don’t hesitate to reach out to Sean at sean.allen@bristolmanorfarm.com.
We’re all very excited for Saturday’s home match against Didcot Town at 3pm. The clubhouse will be open from 12pm, so come down early and enjoy the lunchtime kick-offs and a bite to eat before standing with us on the terraces.
Please join us in giving Sean a warm welcome to his new role, and most importantly, Up the Farm!
The Board of Directors / Committee
Bristol Manor Farm Football Club