Richard Norman, previously at Toolstation NCEL clubs Goole AFC and Hemsworth Miners Welfare, has been appointed as the chair of league newcomers Frickley Athletic.

He will be looking to use his experience running clubs at semi-professional level to help Frickley make a quick return up the FA's National League System following their demotion to Step 5 this summer.

During his time at Goole AFC, they won Divison One and the League Cup before, at Hemsworth Miners Welfare, he helped them finish in the top six of the Premier Division, created a successful U23 team and helped develop the new community facilities at the stadium, whilst also creating a school for disenfranchised young people.

He also has a wealth of experience creating other successful community projects around the region.

Speaking about his new appointment, he said: "It is a real honour to have this opportunity, to be chair at such a famous, and well supported, football club, a true community club.

"There are already some really fantastic people at the club with people like [directors] Phil [McCroakam], Penny [Wall] and many other volunteers working so passionately to develop the club both on and off the pitch and I am really looking forward to working with them all.

"After a few challenging seasons, my first goal will be to help [manager] Wayne [Benn], [and assistants] Chick [Hayward] and Rudi [Funk] provide some stability on the pitch and then start competing to win back our place in the NPL.

"We are already looking at developing an U23 team for this season which will provide a further pathway for all our academy players.

"This will give even more young people from our community the opportunity to play top level football at their local semi pro club.

"We will also look to develop a women’s team to become part of the Frickley family.

"Off the pitch, I will endeavour to help the Board deliver some long term financial stability. We will look to achieve this by creating new sponsorship and other income opportunities.

"But, for me, the most important factor of joining the club is the existing Community Foundation which already makes a huge difference to the lives of so many young people.

"I really want to help this 'best kept secret' to provide even more help to even more young people in your community.

"If anyone would like to chat about how you can also get involved with the club, please get in touch."

Frickley's first game in the NCEL is a trip to Maltby Main in the Premier Division a week on Saturday (30th).