Meet the HFCST Directors
Nick Archer
I have been involved in non-league football for more than 40 years as a player, manager, committee member and chairman. When I moved to Hertfordshire from mid-Sussex, I got involved with Harpenden Town and eventually became chairman. I then moved up to St Albans City where I was a director for more than 10 years, and chairman during a successful period, leading the club back to the National League. I then joined Wealdstone for two seasons, during which I oversaw an FA Trophy semi-final and assisted with reconfiguring the decision-making process at the club.
I am on the football sub-committee within the Trust Board, which works with Lee on team and playing matters, including scouting and player recruitment. I also head-up the commercial sub-committee, where we are looking to increase advertising and sponsorship revenue.
In my day job I am the managing partner of Gyoury Self Partnership in St Albans. We are consulting civil and structural engineers – construction industry professionals.
My vision is that we achieve National League South football, with regular attendances of 750+ at SJP, where we would have a secure and long-term agreement to remain, thus enabling more investment in community and youth activities.
Nick, introduce yourself to the supporters:
My name is Nick Archer and I am a proper football man with wide-ranging experience. I have been involved in non-league football for more than 40 years as a player, manager, committee member and chairman. I started at Scaynes Hill, a small village club in the Mid Sussex League where at one time I was both Saturday and Sunday team first team manager. When I moved to Hertfordshire I got involved with Harpenden Town and eventually became chairman. When that position came to an end, I moved up to St Albans City where I was a director for more than 10 years, and chairman during a successful period, leading the club back to the National League.
The Club went in a different direction in the summer of 2015 and I joined Wealdstone for two seasons, during which I oversaw an FA Trophy semi-final and assisted with reconfiguring the decision-making process at the club, albeit in the face of some resistance!
What is your role on the Trust Board?
I am on the football sub-committee, which works with Lee on team and playing matters, including scouting and player recruitment.
I also head-up the commercial sub-committee, where we are looking to increase advertising and sponsorship revenue by bringing forward a focused commercial strategy and enhancing the Hendon brand, including eventually employing a commercial manager.
The message that I try to give to the Board is that a successful first team is the benchmark by which we should measure the Club. Creating a successful team is our core business, which brings better players, bigger attendances, more sponsorship all of which filters down to the youth and other community sections.
Why Hendon?
I came to Hendon when Jimmy Gray was appointed as we had been involved together before at both Harpenden Town and St Albans City. The records show that results didn’t go his way in his second season here, meaning it didn’t work out as long-term job for Jimmy. However, we have remained on good terms and you never know, football is a funny old game, perhaps we may have the opportunity to work together again at some point in the future.
What other teams do you follow?
Brighton & Hove Albion, having previously lived in Sussex for many years. I also allow myself a favourite team in several other countries, for example HJK Helsinki in Finland.
What work do you do in your personal life?
In my day job I am the managing partner of Gyoury Self Partnership in St Albans. We are consulting civil and structural engineers, construction industry professionals. I deal with the finances of the business, staff matters, business development and a fair amount of project related work as well, mainly reporting on building defects, subsidence and so forth. One of our largest projects this year has been an impressive £14M sound stages building at Elstree Studios.
What one message can you give to supporters of the Trust?
I support the idea that the Club is a fundamental part of the community and should be protected from potentially dubious owners, who might come and go very quickly. Key issues such as the name of the Club, the club crest, the home ground and the club colours should recognise the history of the club and the views of the average supporter. We can’t allow more clubs to fail with huge debts, or to gain an unfair advantage by not paying their bills, including their tax and VAT.
I support the need for an independent football regulator to oversee financial regulation, corporate governance and the like, with much improved tests for owners and directors.
In Hendon terms, whilst the Club has an illustrious history, we can’t live in the past and in order that we don’t fall behind equivalent Clubs, we need additional investment. Having lost two seasons as a result of covid, we should be looking closely, progressively and with some urgency, at the means to secure that investment in a sustainable way.
Anything else?
My vision is that we achieve National League South football, with regular attendances of 750+ at SJP, where we would have a secure and long-term
Steve Lytton
I have been a Hendon supporter for around 50 years and have the pleasure (when we win) and not so much fun when we lose interviewing for our HFCTV You Tube channel.
I don’t have a specific role on the Board, but like to feel I can add some value to some of our discussions. It’s not easy running a club at our level.
I grew up and lived in Hendon for my first 20 or so years. Though the family were Chelsea fans (and me now as an armchair one), occasionally my father would take me to Claremont Road. At that time there were so many great players, John Baker the centre forward was a particular favourite of mine.
I have worked in the pharmacy business for around 35 years doing a variety of different roles. I’m currently a mentor – coaching and training pharmacists and their teams to be the best they can be. Our You Tube sponsor Sanjay Patel at Zaxgate Pharmacy is someone I have known for decades and work closely with him and his wife Smita. It’s genuinely a great example of how an Independent Pharmacy should be.
Regarding the Trust Board, it’s easy to sit back and watch and sometimes criticise, so much harder to get involved. If you want to see the club grow and develop, please help us. Most of us on the Trust Board have full time jobs and can’t devote all of the time that’s needed to explore the endless opportunities that exist.
Bryan Roberts
Hi everyone. I’ve been a Hendon fan of over 25 years, which I’ve only just realised is half my life. Normally to be seen at most games home and away, with frequent appearances on the tannoy and turnstiles at SJP.
I was previously Chairman of the Trust Board for many years after its inception. Now my role is more general – getting involved in areas like fundraising and publicity.
Why Hendon?
Well, my first home when moving to London was in Kilburn. I missed live football and a quick look at an A-Z revealed my nearest club was Hendon. The rest is history…
I was a Southampton season ticket holder for most of my childhood, so keep an eye out for their fortunes. A few holiday visits and matches as a kid mean I also follow Montrose from afar.
In my personal life I’m a retail consultant – working with supermarkets, suppliers and loyalty companies to improve your experience as a customer!
What one message can you give to supporters of the Trust?
Nothing you can do, in terms of time, money or support, is too little. Even helping out at one game a season or buying one Snowball ticket all adds up to keeping the club going.
A last rallying cry!
We need more Board members! Different people, different backgrounds, different skills and different points of view are urgently required. Please approach me or any other Board member at any match.