I never set out to get involved in a football club. But over the last year, through the work we’ve been doing with HomelessFC and the wider community, I’ve spent time around the ground, met the people behind the club, and seen what Eastwood can become.

I was introduced to the club through Steve Kirkham, who is Managing Director of PodFirst Group - the media group I own. Through Steve, I met Lee and the wider Eastwood team and we started talking about what could be built here; on the pitch, around the ground and for the wider community. I could see that with the right structure, investment, and the backing of my media businesses, we could unlock a lot of potential at the club. Those conversations led to me stepping into the Chairman role.

This club has always been about more than results on a Saturday. It’s about community, opportunity, and giving people a place they feel they belong.

What changes now

We are going to focus on a few simple things and do them properly:

Progressing the first team up the football pyramid - while improving facilities, matchday experience, and building strong infrastructure along the way.
A more family-friendly matchday experience - welcoming, safe, and enjoyable for kids and parents.
Better facilities - improving the environment for players, coaches and supporters.
A stronger pathway for young people - helping academy players develop as footballers and as people.
A dedicated girls’ section and pathway - building a clear route for girls to play, develop and belong at Eastwood.
Community work that actually matters - including ongoing support for HomelessFC, and reconnecting with local community partners to deliver bigger, measurable impact.

A quick word on the team

I’m not doing this alone. A dedicated operations team will work alongside the club’s existing management to improve operations, facilities and the overall matchday experience.

Most importantly: we’ll listen. To supporters, to parents, to volunteers, to players.

Thank you for welcoming me into Eastwood.”

Lee Wood, Co-Owner, said:

“I’m delighted to welcome Ben into the club. From our first conversations, it was clear we shared the same belief in Eastwood and its future — both on the pitch and in the community. This genuinely feels like a joining of forces, with everyone working together to move the club forward.”

Steve Kirkham, Head of Football, said:

“My role is to make sure the football side of the club is well-structured, aligned and set up to be successful over the long term. That means supporting the manager, players and pathway, and ensuring there’s a clear connection from the academy through to the first team. With the leadership structure now in place, we have a strong foundation to build from.”