17/08/2026
Kelly Clifford โ Farewell
After more than five years, itโs incredibly difficult to put into words just how much Kelly Clifford has done for this club โ and just how big a hole she leaves behind.
The club that exists today is, in so many ways, immeasurably different from the one she joined.
Kelly has transformed how we operate, challenged the way we do things (we fell out a few times!!), brought professionalism and structure, and helped drag the club firmly into the modern era.
In the beginningโฆ
I hired Kelly when she was 17 years old. She was, at the time, a waitress at Farndon Ferry โ formerly the Boat House.
I couldnโt be sure as to what was good about her, but there was definitelyโฆ something.
There was something smouldering. I could see potential, personalityโฆ and an acorn of leadership! It was yet to blossom.
She was a slow burner to start with. She got us through COVID and, whilst many others couldnโt be trustedโฆ Kelly could be.
She was learning whilst others fell on their own sword!
The fire was starting to smoke.
She continued to impress โ customers and myself. The players loved herโฆ but they were careful not to cheek her. They knew where she stood and gave her space and respect.
Then came an incident involving sorting out some kids on Table 12.
I was so impressed with her confidence, professionalism and direct approach that I offered her the job of General Manager on the spot.
The next dayโฆ she accepted.
Everybody said to me:
โWhat the Fโ did you do that for?โ
BUT NOBODY SAYS THAT NOW!!!
She was charming. She had grace, poise and an elegance that the club was NOT famous for.
I realised how lucky I was โ and how lucky the club was โ to have her.
She was also very succinct with her words and immeasurably professional. When she spoke, people listened.
She never talked too much but had enough enthusiasm and passion to demonstrate that she cared.
She was completely unique at the club and, over the next three years, she grew into a very powerful and serious player who, quite frankly, staggered me at every turn.
If I mentioned something she couldnโt do, it was quickly learnt and with pretty short shrift.
She was quiet but enormously effective!!!!
I was beginning to like her.
Then she really got goingโฆ
She took on the biggest challenges, was a whizz at ChatGPT and marketing, and despite my considerable experience and years, she often made me look like an incompetent, muddling buffoon!!
(REALLY??)
Too oftenโฆ it was me who was out of my depth, not my protรฉgรฉe who was 35 years my junior!!
She could also SORT PEOPLE OUTโฆ including me, Oswald and even Cally!!!
A few choice words and a simple instruction normally did the trick.
NO MESSING.
You couldnโt help but respect her.
Over the last three years, she has:
* Built processes and procedures from the ground up
* Put systems in place that will continue to benefit the club for years to come
* Driven change when change was desperately needed
* Brought professionalism and structure
* Modernised the way the club operates
* Taken on challenges that many others would have avoided
And, on a more personal level, she has somehow even managed to convince me to stop wasting my money โ which, frankly, may be her greatest achievement of all! ๐
The impact Kelly has made is nothing short of enormous and incredible.
In shortโฆ
I was in awe!!
A genuine legacy
People talk about leaving a legacy.
Kelly genuinely has.
Her fingerprints are all over this club, and the foundations she has built will remain long after she has gone.
Her commitment, determination, knowledge and sheer drive have made a profound difference.
So today, itโs not just goodbye.
Itโs thank you.
Thank you for the last 5+ years.
Thank you for the challenges you embraced.
Thank you for the changes you made.
Thank you for the people you inspired andโฆ moved.
And thank you for leaving this club in a significantly better place than you found it.
And there are some things that simply wouldnโt be here without her:
Without Kelly, there would be no coaching.
Without Kelly, there would be no presentation night.
Without Kelly, there would be no easy-to-read food menus.
Without Kelly, there would be no Facebook posts that actually make senseโฆ and have been proofed.
Soโฆ what happens now?
I can hear it nowโฆ
โWhat are you going to do now, Beefy?โ
Itโs a bloodyโฆ
GOOD QUESTION!!!!!
There is now a massive void to fill โ and whoever steps into those shoes has one hell of a job ahead of them.
Itโs trueโฆ weโve been in much tighter scrapes.
I know weโll evolve, but Iโm not going to pretend that itโs a small task.
And we do have Finlay, who is more than capable. Heโs run the club for 3+ months.
We shall seeโฆ
One last chance to see her
Kellyโs last day at work is this Wednesday, and sheโll be at the club later between 7pm and 9.30pm at team leagues.
Pop in and say hiโฆ where sheโll be here, as always, available for:
* Selfies
* Autographs
* And, of course, gladly accepting all of the praise (and money!) you have to shower her withโฆ
Basically, because she deserves it!!!!
Kellyโฆ
Weโre going to miss you more than you could possibly ever fathom.
Thanks ever so.
