Steelmen forge ahead with new investment and senior board

Redcar Athletic FC are delighted to announce that local businessman Dale Smith is making a long-term time and financial commitment to the club.

The investment will fund improvements to facilities, the matchday experience and off-the-field resources, all with the purpose of growing the club for the benefit of the entire local community and the wider Redcar and East Cleveland area.

The commitment will also mean Dale becomes chairman of the senior section, supported by a new set of directors who will be named in due course.

Dale will also lead the newly-formed management board, while Kevin Fryett will become club president and Steve Connelly will remain as first team manager.

Meanwhile, Teesside Athletic FC will be renamed Redcar Athletic Foundation, while Redcar Athletic FC will become a force for civic pride, positivity, entrepreneurship and ambition in the Redcar and East Cleveland region.

Dale said: “It’s a privilege for me to be able to make this commitment and become a custodian of this fantastic club. I am from the area, I played for the club as a junior and, most importantly, I am very, very positive about the future of Redcar and the wider Redcar and Cleveland area.

“Redcar Athletic is already a fantastic place to be with wonderful people, supporters and volunteers and I will do all I can to make it even better.

“We want to make the club a hub for all those who care about Redcar, who want to improve our town or their lives or other people’s lives. The club will be a vehicle for both social change in our area and a hub for great experiences on both match and non-match days.

“To cement our intention, I want to announce that we will be committing to the creation of a Young Entrepreneurs’ Fund that will support, coach and mentor young entrepreneurs from across Redcar and Celevand. I am passionate about creating strong and enduring local businesses and truly believe that these businesses are the future of creating better places to live, to work and to stay across our region.”

Club president Kevin Fryett added: “This club has progressed massively over the past few years thanks to the tremendous efforts of our volunteers, sponsors and supporters. It is because of them that we are in the position we are today to be able to attract the next step in our journey of serving Redcar.

“I am so excited to welcome Dale into the club, and I know we will all be there to support him, his team and the exciting endeavours and plans we have to take the club forward.”

A launch event was held on Thursday, June 30 to introduce the new management board and mark the start of the new era for the club, with staff members, players, stakeholders and local media in attendance.

Any individual or business wanting to support Redcar Athletic are welcome to express their interest by emailing commercial manager David Masterman at [email protected]