Whickham FC is delighted to announce the appointment of Lynn Ready and Barry Wake as new joint-chairs of the club with immediate effect.
Lynn and Barry step up from their roles as vice-chairs, where they have worked together over the last six months. They will now take over leadership of the executive committee from outgoing chairman Ross Gregory.
Ross informed the committee in November of his intention to step down at the end of the season. However, with Lynn and Barry already within the club it was decided that they should take over immediately and work alongside Ross between now and April on a handover period which will provide extra continuity.
Ross has been chairman since 2022. He said: “I first joined Whickham FC almost 24 years ago and it has been a pleasure to be chairman of my hometown club for the last few years. We have made some brilliant moments – two cup finals at the Stadium of Light, a cracking FA Vase run, big games and huge support from the community against the likes of Macclesfield and Bury to name a few. And some tougher times too of course – that’s football.
“Seeing the youth setup grow from three teams to more than 25 has been fantastic and it feels like we are a proper community club now. The ground has developed beyond recognition from 2002 when I first joined and there are more things in the pipeline.
“I’d like to thank all the committee for their support over the years and also our sponsors, particularly Ben Riley at First Mortgage and MTREC.
“I’m not leaving the club, just stepping down due to work commitments. I look forward to working alongside Lynn and Barry in a different role and wish them all the best.”
Lynn has been club secretary since 2016 having previously been secretary of the successful U21s from 2010-12, and stepped into the vice chair position last summer.
She said: “I would like to thank Ross for his few years as chairman of the football club. The role brings many challenges, and Ross has given a great deal of dedication to the club.
“As I take on the role of Joint Chair, I’m pleased to build on the foundations already in place and look forward to working with Barry, the committee and everyone connected with the club as we move forward together.”
Barry joined the club in January 2025 and was appointed vice chair in June. He has previous experience at Whickham Fellside, Northumberland FA and runs his own business.
He said: “I look forward to my new role within the club and am excited to work with Lynn and the rest of the committee to support the team and the management as we enter the final stages of the season.
“There is much to do but we take on a solid foundation left by Ross and although immediate focus must be providing as much support to team and management to hopefully turn our season around, we are also making plans for progressing the club in the future.”
