'YOU'D BE MAD TO OWN A CLUB!'

...but it’s just how I like it

- JOHN LYONS

ASK Jonathan Sayer what advice he would give to someone thinking about taking over a Non-League club and he quickly replies: “Don’t do it!”

It’s an answer in jest, partly at least, because the actor and comedy playwright has come to appreciate the good, the bad and the ugly of football below stairs since taking the reins alongside his dad, David, at Ashton United four years ago.

He admits they made mistakes in their first season as co-chairmen and joint owners at the NPL Premier outfit and it’s all chronicled in his new book – Nowhere To Run: The ridiculous life of a semi-professional football club chairman.

It’s an entertaining romp about taking over and running an established Non-League club, and the 34-year-old has used his comedy background and a bit of poetic licence to good effect.

Sayer admits his own footballing skills as a youngster left a lot to be desired but the chance to run his local club, along with his dad, was a challenge he simply couldn’t resist.

They have a special bond with the Hurst Cross outfit as David’s dad, Johnny Burke, played over 400 games for the club in the 50s and 60s.

Sayer’s wallet is lighter and there has been plenty of stress and strain on the journey, but he’s still, just about, laughing four years down the line.

As for that first season – which was ultimately ruled null and void due to Covid – he told The NLP: “You make quite a lot of mistakes partly because you’re doing it with someone else and you don’t want to be the person saying no, but also you get carried away by the enthusiasm.