EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Howard Freeman
David Knight - Chairman
David watched Guildford City at Josephs Road during his teenage years and then followed the club in the short spell at Dorking. After the club folded, he became involved as a volunteer at Basingstoke Town where over the years he filled several senior positions. David has also subsequently served on the management boards of both the Isthmian League and the Southern League. He still undertakes ground grading for the Southern League.
David believes that Guildford City has a great future and that the club is lucky to have such a superb group of volunteers and supporters. Away from football he runs a distribution company that relocated to Guildford in June 2021, after being based in the Byfleet area for many years.
Kevin Parker - Vice Chairman
As a child Kevin remembers with great fondness getting on the Park Barn bus, getting off at what is now the Jubilee Club and walking up the alley to the Stockton Road entrance of Joseph’s Road, the original home of Guildford City FC. Kevin remembers the amazing Tony Burge who to the eight-year-old Kevin Parker was the best player he had ever seen. He also had the honour of playing in the Guildford Schools Traders Cup Final on the hallowed turf that was Joseph’s Road. The experience of leading the team out of the tunnel, the crowd and swimming in the huge players communal bath after the game will be lifelong memories.
In 2007 out of curiosity Kevin ventured to the Spectrum to see a top of the table clash Guildford City v Merstham in CCL League. After becoming hooked Kevin was encouraged to join the management committee. Kevin says that it is a pleasure being involved with a wonderful group of people who have a passion for our team and the burning desire for our own stadium in the town that we can be proud of and call home. In addition to being vice-chairman Kevin is responsible for stadium management. That involves preparing everything behind the scenes that most people take for granted when they go to a match; but includes pitch and ground preparation, organising staffing for turnstiles, bar, kitchen, stewarding and safety. If you visit the Spectrum during midweek, you will most probably see Kevin onsite fixing fences or with a paintbrush in his hand!
Ed Shires
Barry Underwood MBE - Club Secretary
A knee injury aged 20 caused a change of direction that led to Barry entering the House of Commons service in March 1979. After working in the provision of information and publications to MPs’ and in print, Barry will take retirement from the House administration this summer after 42 years. Barry is an Aldershot supporter since childhood, with a long-time soft spot for Norwich City. In 1988 he joined he Aldershot Supporters’ Club committee which saw him playing a role in the formation of the phoenix club in 1992, and in particular managing the club lottery for the first two years. In 1994 Barry became chairman of the Supporters’ Club, and by default also a director of the football club. In 1999 he resigned from the board on a matter of principle.
Having previously played amateur rugby league, Barry offered his voluntary services in 2000 to London Broncos Rugby League Club. An offer that was accepted. During the next ten years Barry wrote and produced the official club handbook, organised five club golf days, organised several fundraising initiatives and wrote numerous programme articles. In 2010 the club took a different direction and dispensed with all voluntary assistance. Still keen to be involved in voluntary sports administration, Barry was attracted to Guildford City FC. They were he thought a sleeping giant who could possibly benefit from his experience. Since 2012 Barry has been club secretary. He also edits the club’s matchday programme which has won a number of awards.