Jobs4Football meets David Pennington
Jobs4Football had the pleasure to speak with enthusiastic Chorley FC Kit Manager, David Pennington. I was eager to hear the day-to-day life of a Kit manager, and I couldn’t think of someone better to ask than David. Pennington has been involved at Chorley for over 10 years and hasn’t looked back since. “When I was 11, I was brought in to be a ball boy and to clean the grounds, and by the time I was 16, the opportunity arose when Kitman, Jono Gains, left and they gave me the opportunity to step up into the role. I worked alongside Jono for a couple of years to learn my trade; whilst I was learning the ropes and I cant thank him enough for what he did for me while he was at the club.” David’s role at the club is completely voluntary to which he doesn’t get paid. This shows the dedication of David and also proves his devotion towards the club is a level above monetary value.
David’s role at the club is just as important as the Head Coach in order for things off the pitch to run smoothly. He has certain tasks to complete within a time frame, just like any other job. “Being a kitman is a very important role in keeping the show on the road. We’re not taken for granted, but you’d only notice us if we weren’t there.” On a matchday, David arrives at the ground very early, making sure everything is prepared, including; the training gear, warm up gear and all the kit is set out ready for the players arrival. After the warmup, David will collect all the kit, so it is tidy before the match starts. “I’m on the bench, we don’t have fourth officials at this level, so I am in control of the substitutes board with the linesman. I am also keeping tabs on the substitutes making sure they have their bibs and are ready when required by the Head Coach. Players can be a nightmare for leaving their kit around after matches as well sometimes you feel like a Mother figure, as I get a few messages saying, ‘David did I leave my watch or sliders behind?’ In addition, I like to build a close relationship with the players and this shows as many come to me regarding issue on and off the pitch, that’s trust. If they have something to get off their chest, you can be a sounding board for players and staff. In my opinion a happy player with a clear mind is a better player”
The relationship David has with players at Chorley FC is something that certainly benefits the club moving forward. The level of respect and thoughtfulness towards each other shines beyond the pitch between the players and the entire staff too. Something you don’t see as much in the bigger leagues is the commeraderdie, they play football like it’s a job whereas David commits to his job because of the passion he has for the role. David communicates with the players before the game and even has appointed tasks to perform for them as well. For example “Since the gaffer signed Billy Whitehouse, Billy has an individual request to mix his ‘Energy’ drink every time before the game, either home or away, but that’s just one player out of many.” Each individual player can have their own requests and some can be demanding but it is important to make sure they are happy in preparation for the game.
It’s not just the players that David provides a service for, he takes care of staff also. He informed me on their new groundsman and how they got acquainted. “A new groundsman was appointed in the last season who had an unbelievable background working in Italy with AC Milan. He knew the gaffer Andy and CEO Terry, but apart from that didn’t have any other contacts in order for him to settle in Chorley. I instantly made myself available for him to feel comfortable by assisting him to setup in a flat and made him feel welcome by showing him local amenities and taking him out for food etc….. I introduced him to other member of staff at the club such as Mel. He helps me on gamedays every now and then, but again was a key member to make Stuart feel settled at the club. In return, Stuart has given me advice in the past few months for his own experience which has been an unbelievable help in my own career journey.
I wanted to hear how David overcomes a difficult task on the job and how it can affect the team’s morale. With this is mind David recited about one of Chorley’s unpleasant cold weekend games to me, “We were away at Farsley Celtic on a Saturday, the weather conditions were horrific with morale low due to this. My role was important to keep every players thoughts and feelings positive in order to gain a result. I believe I assisted in giving the players a boost to go out there and play football. The game finished 3-3 and I didnt enjoy the state of the kits at the end of it but it all part of the job.
Ahead of every game I prepare all kit 24 hours in advance whether that will be a home or away fixture. Preparation and organisation is key to this role because if you miss packing a pair of boots or a specific tatics board that vcan have huge negative repercussions for the club moving forward on match day
All my work at Chorley is part-time and takes the majority of my week however I do it for free.” David believes the money that he could earn can be used in a better way at a club like Chorley through investment in players or club operations which shows his dedication to the club and its ambitions.
David has progressed into the scouting side of football by completing his Level 1 Scouting and Football fundamentals last month. “I spoke to the Gaffer Andy Preece about progression and to gain further experience for m him, and he informed me to go into scouting and analysis for my own development. I messaged Ged Searson on LinkedIn, owner of a scouting course, and I am booked in for another session next month which i hope witll benefit me moving forward.” Unfortunately, David doesn’t drive, but due to being offered a new of high profiles roles at clubs like Manchester United’s U18 , Bolton Wanderers , and Wolves Academy he realises that taking the test is only going to benefit him moving forward for his career progression. For the future, David plans on completing his driving licence before he shifts up a gear into the scouting courses and further self development programmes such as the Mentoring Programme offered by jobs4football.
With his career pathway planned out, David would be up to the task to grasp any development opportunity that comes his way, being an Everton fan, he would love to work for them, but he doesn’t get much time to get to Goodison Park when working at Chorley.
Every club needs someone like David. He is a key part of the club, a motivator, a hard worker, and an emphatic character that players and staff respect and need alongside them.