Louth Town have appointed respected marketing, media and development consultant Bernard Bale to take the club forward into a new and even more exciting era.

Bernard, a former Fleet Street journalist and BBC broadcaster, has been associated locally with the Jungle Zoo at Cleethorpes but he is also well-known outside the area for his work with visitor attractions both in the UK and overseas.

In the past, he has helped Aberdeen, Hull City, Livingston, West Ham United, Real Mallorca, Everton and even Manchester United.


Bernard Bale (left) with Louth Town manager Paul Walden.
In the 1980s, he held the commercial fort at Grimsby Town for a short period while the club was going through one of its most turbulent times.

"I have joined forces with Louth because the club is going places, has great spirit both on the pitch and, quite frankly, is a breath of fresh air in today's rather stale football world.

"I was impressed with the style of play when I saw the team in action and, laugh if you will, there is a date in the club diary of August 2017. That is the date for Louth Town's debut in the Football League.

"Between now and then, it is hoped the club will have a new stadium which will serve the community in various ways as well as the club itself.

"There is already a healthy fan base attending matches and a growing following of distant fans all over the world.

"I'm not sure if the people of Louth fully realise what is happening but there is a fantastic adventure growing on their doorstep.

"Louth Town has already performed miracles in coming so far so quickly, a tribute to the committee and the football manager, Paul Walden. This football is going to make people proud to say they are from Louth."

And, in another boost to one of the KoolSport NCEL's newest clubs, celebrated football manager Ron Atkinson has agreed to become a vice-president.

A phone call from Bernard Bale found Ron on a golf course in Tenerife about to putt. He held off his shot to willingly accept the invitation and has promised to visit the football club during the early part of the new season.

In addition, Louth Town is to have a club shop in the centre of town. As well as selling club merchandise and other football souvenirs, it will also provide an information point and ticket booking facility.

The football club is also currently researching an opportunity for its own radio station as well as scheduling a number of exciting events during the coming year.

"The focal point though will always be the football," said Bernard Bale. "That is the most exciting part of the whole thing.

"Louth Town has one of the most talented coaches outside the Football League and has brought together a squad which plays quality football.

"He has a successful squad which has already won two championships and various other trophies. That is why we are able to announce the launch of our CAMPAIGN FOR REAL FOOTBALL.

"In today's senior football there are too many one-footed players with more concern for their hair, their image, their goal celebrations, their amateur dramatics and their media appearances than for actually playing the game of football as it should be played. Paul Walden and his players are leading the revolution to change all that.

"Win or lose, Louth Town pledges to play good, honest, exciting football, leading by example the CAMPAIGN FOR REAL FOOTBALL."

Louth Town began life in 2007 in the Central Midlands League, won promotion as division champions the following season and then last year won the Central Midlands League Championship by eight clear points.

Club chairman Steve Clark added: "We are delighted with the progress the club has made so far and we are really excited about the future.

"We are settled at the Park Avenue stadium for the foreseeable future, thanks to our helpful landlords, GBM Ltd. We now have teams at all levels including ladies and girls teams as well as our great senior team. We are always willing to hear from prospective players, junior or senior.

"Judging by the reaction to our success last season, the people of Louth have taken the club to their hearts but we are also getting supporters from outside the area, even as far as Derbyshire, actually coming to see our matches.

"These are exciting times."