Board and Staff
Meet The Team!
The Gloucestershire Football Association is led by a 9-strong Board of Directors, supported by 55 members of Council and the Inclusion Advisory Group (IAG).
The Gloucestershire FA Team that delivers the Association's strategic priorities and develops football in the County is led by Chief Executive and Senior Safeguarding Lead, David Neale. You can find more about the team and staff profiles below.
Board of Directors
Chairman
Roy Schafer
Joined the Gloucestershire FA Council in 1985. Mr Schafer was elected as County Chairman in 2021. Mr Schafer is currently Chairman of the Disciplinary Committee and is the Association’s representative on the FA Council.
Deputy-Chair
Sue Henson-Green
Sue was elected to the Board in 2013 and is the Safeguarding Champion. She is the chair of the County Match Committee alongside being the president of the Glos County Women's League that has been recognised for its success. Mrs Henson-Green was elected Deputy-Chair in 2021.
Chief Executive
David Neale
Joined the Association as CEO in 2006 and provides leadership and direction to the Association’s team of staff.
Finance Director
Graham Papworth
Graham joined the board in 2019 and provides financial oversight of the Association’s accounts and investments.
Director
Nigel Newport-Black
Nigel was elected to the Board in 2016 and advises the Board on business and youth football matters.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Mohammed Patel
Mohammed joined the board in 2020 to assist in the business affairs of the Association, determining the vision and strategy, the plans, policies and financial investment required to achieve the Association's aims.
Council
Suzette Davenport (Inclusion Advisory Board)
Suzette was the Chair of the Glos FA Inclusion Advisory Group for 5 years from 2017. Suzette advises the board on matters of Inclusion, Diversity and strategic management by bringing her wealth of experience, as the former Chief Constable of Gloucestershire Police and current Chair of UKROED. Suzette joined the board in 2021.
Council
Errol Thompson
Errol has also been a football volunteer since 1979 and has been Club Secretary and latterly Treasurer of Bristol based Club, Lebeq since 1985. He has also been a member of the Bristol & District and Bristol Premier Combination League management committees.
Errol has also been a football volunteer since 1979 and has been Club Secretary and latterly Treasurer of Bristol based Club, Lebeq since 1985. He has also been a member of the Bristol & District and Bristol Premier Combination League management committees. Errol was elected to the board in 2021.
Independent Non-Executive Director
Clive Rawlings
Clive has been one of the UK’s leading education/disability/public law barristers for over 25 years. For over 16 years, Clive was volunteer Chair of his local Youth Football Club Committee growing it from 8 to 27 teams in that time. Clive has returned to Cheltenham where he was a founding player of Cleeve Colts FC in 1972. He became a Trustee with the Cheltenham Trust in 2020 and is currently Chair of the Sport and Leisure Committee and Vice-Chair of the Governance Committee. Clive was elecetd to board in 2021.
Senior Managers
Matt Boucher
Football Development Manager
Matt is responsible for leading the Football Development Team to develop and support the delivery of the FA National Game Strategy in the County. Matt also leads on Facility development across Gloucestershire working closely with the Football Foundation, Local Authorities, clubs and other organisations to improve football facilities.
Chris Lucker
Football Services Manager
Chris has been in post since January 2008. his responsibilities include the governance of Clubs and Leagues, facilitating the FA disciplinary process, managing the County Cups and supporting the use of FA Whole Game by staff and football volunteers.
Judith Langworthy
Finance Officer
Judith joined the Gloucestershire FA in August 2015 having spent over 30 years in both Financial & Management Accounting. She manages all aspects within the financial side of the business.
Staff Members
Jacob Owers
Football Development Officer
Jacob works across our male and female player pathways with a focus on participation programmes, as well as leading our coach development and female talent pathway work.
Richard Todd
Football Development Officer
Richard leads our disability provision and mental health work whilst also working within the female pathway to support participation across the club and league network.
Hamish Hurst
Football Development Officer
Hamish supports the delivery of investment in grassroots facilities, with a focus on our grass pitch improvement programme to increase the number of good quality grass pitches.
Roger Vaughan
Referee Development and Equality Officer
Roger is responsible for the recruitment, retention and development of referees within the County by arranging courses and other training events to ensure our referees are the best they can be. He also supports the Inclusion Advisory Group ensuring that football in the County is representative of the communities in which it is played.
Gemma Szakacs
Designated Safeguarding Officer (DSO)
Gemma is the GFA Designated Safeguarding Officer - Contact for all youth League and Club Welfare Officers. Gemma ensures best practices, policies and safeguarding is embedded within the County grassroots football community.
Laura Faulkner
Deputy Safeguarding Officer
Ensures that risk assessments are done and properly signed by our DSO. Laura is also responsilbe for filing and storing all documents relating safeguarding, validating DBS checks and supports the DSO with day to day safeguarding issues.
Martin McConachie
Football Services Officer
Martin joined in 2023 and his main responsibility is to support delivery of Club and League Affiliation, registration, county cup competitions, and disciplinary procedures.
Dave Williams
Football Services Officer
Dave supports the delivery of Club and League Affiliation, registration, county cup competitions, and disciplinary procedures.
Football Facility Development Officer
Jake Edwards
Jake's main responsibility is to develop, promote and manage events and services that appeal to a diverse range of participants and business customers. He is also responsible for driving increased revenue from the 3G football pitch, hospitality building, conference rooms and meeting rooms at Oaklands Park.