Stone Dominoes FC, Staffordshire’s 1st FA Charter Standard Community Club, has announce Steve Barker as its new Chairman.
Steve. a native Yorkshireman, moved to Stone in 2019 after spending time living in Lincolnshire, Jersey and the USA. Having three footballing children, Steve’s first connection with Stone Dominoes came when he enrolled his two daughters as players in the Stone Dominoes Ladies FC, and his younger son in Little Dots.
After hanging up his boots on his amateur football career some years ago, Steve’s main joy is now watching his children develop the same love for the game Steve has had for over 35 years.
Steve has a clear vision for Stone Dominoes, and says: “The greatest joy I have is watching my children and their team mates training and playing in local leagues. Having spent many years playing myself, I know what a gem Wellbeing Park is. It is testament to the vision of the Bowers family that the site has become the premier football facility for amateur players in Staffordshire. After the uncertainty of recent weeks, I am delighted to be involved in the next steps for Stone Dominoes which will focus on being an inclusive club for both girls and boys with the community at its heart.”
The club can now look forward to an exciting future following the news that Staffordshire Ladsandads and the Bowers family have agreed a deal to secure the Wellbeing Park site after Staffordshire FA unfortunately had to pull out of the proposed acquisition. With uncertainty over the site now resolved, Steve’s mission is to revamp and refresh the club, to be able to offer quality coaching and professional leadership at its Yarnfield Home; Wellbeing Park, described by Clive Dean Chairman of Staffordshire Ladsandads & North Staffs Youth League, as ‘The Wembley of the North’.
The Club will still focus on its Little Dots group every Saturday morning to give children between the ages of 4 and 8 their first taste of football and give a pathway to youth football. Following this, the aim is to build boys and girls teams at all age levels with U17 and U18 under the leadership of Simon Dean, Manager of Stone Dominoes FC (1987) 1st Team and Reserves. The club’s is to intention to regain our position as the natural home for ‘Elite & Recreational’ male and female footballers seeking the best standard of pitches and coaching.
As Steve says “For us it’s back to the roots of SDFC and we intend to build back better than ever, with the emphasis on this club being inclusive for everyone in the community.”
Steve will be at Wellbeing Park on Saturdays between 9am and 11.30am to answer any questions from parents and prospective players as he looks to recruit players and coaches to help fulfil the club’s vision. He is also interested to hear from anybody wishing to volunteer to join him on the newly formed committee of Stone Dominoes FC (1987). Steve can be contacted at stevebarkersdfc@gmail.com or on 07980 929202
