A lifelong Aylesbury United supporter has been appointed as the club’s new chairman following its move to community ownership earlier this month.
John Woodhouse says leading the Ducks is “deeply humbling” after supporting the club for more than 35 years, having first watched matches at the former Buckingham Road ground as a child.
The appointment comes just weeks after a landmark share deal formally established Aylesbury United as a community-owned football club, with ownership now shared between the newly-formed Community Interest Company and supporters’ trust 21CD.
In a statement announcing his appointment, Woodhouse said the club had “been part of my life for as long as I can remember.”
He added: “I’ve celebrated the highs, endured the lows, and shared countless memories with generations of Ducks supporters. To now be entrusted with leading the club forward is deeply humbling.”
Woodhouse says the club now faces a “pivotal moment” in its history as it looks to strengthen its long-term future and continue efforts to bring the club back to Aylesbury after two decades away from the town.
Aylesbury United have been without a permanent home in Aylesbury since leaving Buckingham Road in 2006, spending recent years groundsharing away from the town.
The new chairman says the focus will now be on “strengthening our foundations, growing our community presence, and continuing the work to secure a home in the town we represent.”
He also praised the role of supporters, volunteers and sponsors in helping shape the club’s future, saying: “None of this can be achieved alone. It will take all of us — supporters, volunteers, partners, players and sponsors.”
Woodhouse also paid tribute to outgoing chairman Graham Read, who spent more than 20 years leading the club through some of its most difficult periods.
He said Read had been “instrumental in ensuring the club’s survival” and credited him with tirelessly pursuing opportunities to bring the Ducks back home.
Earlier this year, Read announced he would step down after agreeing to sell his majority shareholding to the community-led group.
The community ownership model has been backed by the Football Supporters’ Association, which described the move as “a new era” for the club.
Supporters will have the chance to meet the new chairman and hear more about the club’s future plans at an open meeting at The Bell Hotel in Aylesbury on May 30th.
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