Karen

• Please can you tell us a little more about yourself?
  

  
  

My name is Karen, I'm Jack Hutchinson’s mum. I live in Hendon in Northwest London. I've worked in a primary school for 21 years as a special needs teaching assistant, mainly with children with physical needs. My Dad was Irish, from beautiful Achill Island off Co Mayo and my Mum was English/Irish.

• Was it obvious from an early age that Jack wanted to be a footballer? Do you have a particular favourite sporting moment/achievement of Jack as he was growing up?
  

  
  

Jack was kicking a ball from about 2 years old and had his first Chelsea kit even before that. The fact that his dad Terry had played at a good standard was a big part of Jack’s love of the game and Chelsea FC. Terry played all over Europe and received his U16s England schoolboys cap which we still have. He also received a cap for U16s playing for Middlesex County. Terry went on to play for Southend and Hendon.

Jack went one better and played for U16s and U18s receiving his caps, tie and trophy, I would say that was one of my favourite achievement of Jack. There have been other proud moments such as his signing at Barnet Academy for a period of time which was a great experience for him. 

• We’re you a football fan before Jack took up an interest? Or are you more of a convert?

Football was a part of my life for as long as I can remember. My 3 brothers all played football from an early age - school teams and Saturday football.  I remember going to watch my older brother play quite often.

My Dad took me to my first professional football match when I was about 11/12 years old. He was a passionate Man Utd fan but my brothers were all Spurs so he took me to Man Utd v Chelsea hoping I’d support his beloved team. I almost immediately fell in love with the atmosphere of Stamford Bridge and would travel on the bus to matches with my friend. It was the early 70’s and the attraction of the teenage skinhead boys at Chelsea was probably another reason.

• How often are you able to come along to matches?

Jack joined Hanwell about 4 years ago. I mostly come to the games on my own. Before the promotion last season, I was there for nearly every game. Unfortunately due to the increased distance of the away games recently, I have missed a few that I’d have loved to have gone to.

• What’s Jack like when Hanwell win…and when they loose?

Of course when Hanwell win, Jack’s mood along with the teams is hugely lifted.

• When we played Harrow Borough there were quite a few family members that came along as well, is this something that happens regularly?

I've been coming to Jack’s games with his Dad since he joined Princes Park aged 7 and I can’t see that changing. Not only because I enjoy the games but also for Terry who rarely missed a match.

• Unfortunately Jack sustained an injury during the match at Bracknell which took him out of the squad for several months. Obvious he was very much missed but were there any positives from this period?

It was a huge blow to Jack when he sustained the injury at Bracknell. He was on good form prior to that so it definitely had an impact on him mentally, especially in the weeks after the injury.

He knew that he would be out for several months and that was tough for him (and me). However, Jack always picks himself up pretty quickly and has been determined to get back to full fitness as soon as possible.

The support he got from the Club and his teammates was overwhelming. However, I think it does knock a player’s confidence when they’re out for some time with an injury.

• What’s the biggest change you’ve seen at the Club since you’ve been coming along?

I think Hanwell is a brilliant club to be a part of. The improvements to the ground and clubhouse have been significant. There's a real sense of community throughout and I’ve made some good friends at Hanwell.
The supporters are the best though - somewhat noisy but very passionate about their beloved London Geordies.

Frances

• What’s your current role at the Club?
  

  I help out in the boardroom making tea and coffee for our visitors and Hanwell committee members before the game. Then at half time (with Jane) washing up (with Jane) making sure everyone has a drink and a meal at end.

  
  
• How and when did you first get involved?

I first got involved with the club around 1992 helping in kitchen at 5-a-side weekend.

• What’s your favourite part of your role?

Seeing that our visitors have had good hospitality.

• What’s the most challenging part of your role?
  

  Carrying a full tray of mugs to and from kitchen!

• What’s your first memory of the Club?

My first memory was how gloomy and basic it was. There were stag heads on the walls of the clubhouse covered in dust!

• What’s your favourite memory?

When we won the London Senior Cup!

• What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

Everything. Clubhouse, kitchen, bar, toilets, pitch which used to flood and stand which we didn’t have.

• Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

I was born and lived in Enfield until 1965 when I married and moved to Perivale.

• What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I go to 3 exercise classes, lunch out once a week, litter pick on Saturday morning when Hanwell away and I read, just love books.

• Do you play or support / follow any other sports?

Yes do my classes and walk. my playing squash days are well and truly over!

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

• Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

I feel perfectly at ease. I started watching football at an early age, there were always plenty of girls there. It was the actual game itself that was male dominated - not now though eh!

Jane

• What’s your current role at the Club?
  I manage the gate at our home games. I also bake cakes for the Boardroom as well as make the tea/coffee.

• How and when did you first get involved?

The same time as Elsa really. About 5/6 years ago I took Elsa to a game because Glyn went to watch Hull play. Elsa wanted to go and I said I would take her.

• What’s your favourite part of your role?

Talking to the regulars on the gate...and you of course Russ!

• What’s the most challenging part of your role?
  

  No major specific challenges but you do get the odd person who isn't too happy for some reason.

• What’s your first memory of the Club?

Hanwell won and Elsa said "...Dad you have to take me to their next game!".

• What’s your favourite memory?

When we won the play-off final at the end of last season. It was a nail bitting thriller of a match!

• Do you have a favourite player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

Gareth Chendlik of course - he's Welsh!

• Do you have a favorite Hanwell kit (home / away)?

The home kit this year with the bridges - it's fabulous.

• What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

We have much bigger crowds now and the ground has changed significantly. Plus there lots of Glyn's handy work around - biased on that of course!

• Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

Not originally but I've lived in Hanwell for 27 years now.

• What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I'm an Assistant Head Teacher.

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

• Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

I'm treated with respect and if you give an opinion about the game or player you're listened too.

Please come and visit the most friendly, family orientated football club in West London - one visit and you'll be hooked!

Lucy

Becoming a fan…

• How did you first come across Hanwell Town?
  We came a few times when I was very little but I didn’t start coming properly until lockdown when Premier League clubs closed their doors and we couldn’t go to Spurs! Then we started coming to Hanwell regularly and we got addicted!!

• What and when was your first game? What do you remember about it?
  I can’t remember my very first game because I was really young. But it was at the Powerday and apparently I was being very gobby and calling the players my sons, so don’t suppose much has changed there!!
  
  

Fan facts...

• Are you from Hanwell / West London originally?
  I am from Pitshanger so not far from Hanwell so unfortunately I'm not a true Hanwell girl.

• How many Hanwell games have you been to so far / this season?
  Approximately 20 - I think.

• Do you have any good luck rituals or superstitions pre / post match?
  Obviously have to get a 50/50 ticket and say hello to my best mate Dave!!

• Who was your favourite team whilst growing up? Do you currently support any other teams?
  Tottenham Hotspur - who else!!

• Do you play or support/follow any other sports?
  Don’t know if it counts but running - I ran the marathon last year and Hanwell supporters were amazing!!
  

Do you have a favourite...

• Spot to watch a game at the Powerday
  From between the dug outs, but behind the goal is fun too.

• Hanwell player (past / present)?
  Near far we LOVE YOU DAN CARR!! As for past players, Adam and George.

• Game of the season so far?
  We did lose but I loved when we played Ebbsfleet. The atmosphere was great and we played really well.

• Overall memory of the Club?
  Obviously getting promoted! But also beating Staines 12-0 last season stands out.

• ‘Footy scran’ (home / away)?
  Chips and curry sauce when we've been away. At home, I love when we have pop ups!!

International Women’s Day (IWD)…

• Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment, so what’s it like being a women supporter at Hanwell Town?
  All the fans are so kind and friendly to everyone so have always had a fab experience being a woman supporter. I think at lots of clubs football fans can just assume that girls don’t know anything about football, but I don’t feel that’s the case at Hanwell.

• Is there anything else that Clubs can do to ensure they’re more inclusive to women either as a player and / or a fan?
  At Hanwell I have always felt very welcomed but I think that all clubs should have more women on committee - every club needs an Elsa!!

Cidinha

Getting involved...

• What’s your current role at the Club?
  I'm the Bar Manager in the Club House.

• How and when did you first get involved?

I got involved because my son used to play for our youth club. One day we were doing tea/coffee outside at bank pitches and our lovely Bob Fisher started to come and watch the games on a Sunday morning. One day he asked Michelle and myself if we were able to run the kitchen for the senior club at the Saturday home games.

• What’s your favourite part of your role?

My favourite part of my role is that I get to see and talk to the fans, players from both sides as well as talking about football in general.

• What’s the most challenging part of your role?
  

  My most challenging moments are when we're busy or I'm trying to get staff to help out. Our aim at the bar and kitchen is to give a good service to our customers and to avoid big queues in the Club House.

Whilst you’ve been at Hanwell...

• What’s your first memory of the Club?

Meeting Roy on Sunday mornings. He used to go to the Club to wash the first team kit and we used to chat. He loved our cup of coffee. I could stay and chat with him for hours - such a lovely man!

• What’s your favourite memory?

My favourite memory is when we got promoted last season.

• Do you have a favourite player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

My favourite player has to be Calum Duffy of course!

• What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

The biggest change I’ve seen since I've been involved is the Club House & toilets, the pitch, the boardroom and the changing rooms. It’s unbelievable how the Club changed for the last 4/5 years.

Away from the Club...

• Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

I live in Ealing.

• What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I run a netball league as a job and I'm heavily involved with the Hanwell Town Youth Club.

• Are you involved in other football / sport related activities away from the Club?

  I'm involved in the Hanwell Youth Club Development Centre every Saturday morning and I managed the U14 team.

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

• Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

Being in an environment that's mainly male dominated can often be be tricky. As a match referee, I've heard all comments that you could imagine over the years...
“Oh don’t worry, she's a women. She doesn’t know anything about football”; and
“What do you expect? She is a women!”.
Thankfully things have started to improve and I've seen a great amount of change since the Lionesses won the Euros last year!

Whilst these are general comments, at Hanwell Town I've never felt excluded because I'm female. I feel respected but at the same time I wouldn’t expect to be treated differently just because I’m a women. Thankfull we're all equal at Hanwell Town.

Katy

The football manager is often the face of a Club but there’s the old adage that behind every successful manager is a football ‘widow’. 
As part of International Women’s Day, we wanted to take the opportunity to find out if it applies at Hanwell Town.

• First of all, please can you tell us a little about yourself and what it’s like to be the partner of a football manager?

Elsa

Getting involved...

• What’s your current role at the Club?
  I'm the Marketing Manager. This involves activities like coporate sponsorship, merchandise, social media, the matchday programme and the Club's charitable activities. Then whatever else is needed to support the Manager and players as well as the Committee.
  

• How and when did you first get involved?

Around 8 years ago, my Dad and I found it on a bike ride. I started helping on the gate when I was 13/14 and then started helping with the Twitter when I was 15.

• What’s your favourite part of your role?

Meeting new people. Especially when you meet Newcastle Fans who have come down, shows how far we’ve come.

• What’s the most challenging part of your role?
  Probably time. Trying to fit everything in alongside a full time job can be tricky.

Whilst you’ve been at Hanwell...

• What’s your first memory of the Club?

Finding the club with my dad, going to our first game then driving past it the next day asking when we can go back.

• What’s your favourite memory?

Winning the play off, 100%. Nothing will ever top that.

Do you have either a favourite...

• First team kit (home or away)?

This season’s home kit. Enjoyed designing it and love looking at people wearing it around the world.

• Player (past / present or on / off the pitch)?

No shock, Chendlik. Gareth is my favourite person, helps a lot with ideas and execution, he’s a great guy.

It’s hard to name everyone but our play off squad has to be the best. Everyone was amazing, on and off the pitch.

• What’s the biggest change you’ve seen?

Step 5 -> Step 4 -> Step 3

Away from the Club...

• Are you originally from Hanwell / West London?

Yep! Born at Ealing Hospital. Love Hanwell!

• What do you do when you’re not at the Club (day job and / or hobby)?

I've been to 346 Hanwell matches over the year but I'm also groundhopper. For example, I've been to 41 matches already in 2023 and I've collected pin badges from 728 different clubs.

• Are you involved in other football / sport related activities away from the Club?

I’m part of the Non League Day which is always exciting! We went to Bilbao in January!

International Women’s Day (IWD)...

• Football has too often been portrayed as a male dominated environment so what’s it like being a woman at the heart of Hanwell Town?

Love it, everyone at Hanwell is great. Sometimes I get funny looks if I walk into a boardroom at another club which used to annoy me when I was younger but now I love it. It’s funny how ‘old school’ some clubs still are!