Weymouth unsung heroes - groundsman and volunteer Iain Stone

Perhaps go and buy a villa in Spain and shelter from the English winter?

Maybe you spend more time with the grandchildren, or invest in a new golf club membership?

Well, for Iain Stone, a large portion of his spare time is taken up as a volunteer in various roles for Weymouth FC.

Not least, walking more than a million steps to help prepare the Bob Lucas Stadium pitch.

We sat down with Iain to find out more about his efforts at the Terras, as we continue our 'unsung heroes' series.

NW: You’re a familiar welcoming face on matchday, what does your role as a volunteer encompass at Weymouth?

IS: Matchday volunteers are incredibly important for Weymouth. I started to look after the main reception. On a typical matchday we arrive about four-and-a-half hours before kick-off, get any updates, briefings, put out the corner flags, sponsors lists, etc then from 12pm fans start to arrive, away team players and my role at reception is to ensure sponsors and guests get their entry passes and to monitor the turnstiles and footfall.

NW: How long have you volunteered for the Terras?

IS: Over 15 years. I’ve been a Supporters' Club director for 13 years and I also undertook the commercial volunteer role for three seasons to help during the CVA. I took early retirement and began clearing the scrub around the stadium with John Rawles, Michael, my middle lad Sam and others so the outside could be painted by Pete and Ricky and a few others. We also helped Pete Nash, Steve Walkinshaw and Ralph Ricardo with a few repairs and built the new club shop. From May 2023, I was enlisted to look after pitch watering and then preparing the pitch for the first team games, women’s games, the Hamworthy ground share and the under-23s, working with John Rawles, Spooky, Tony, Kevin, Paul and the chairman Paul Maitland.

Iain Stone mowing the Bob Lucas Stadium pitch (Image: IAIN STONE)

NW: Do you enjoy the volunteering?

IS: Yes! Every penny saved by a volunteer at Weymouth means the manager has a better budget. Bobby (Wilkinson, manager) always says thank you to everyone and he knows how much hard graft we put in to help him. Win, lose or draw we have something to chat about and knowing how close we came to losing the ground inspires everyone to do their bit to help. The Supporters’ Association has a great relationship with Paul Maitland and the board of directors. It’s very rewarding to know you are helping others to enjoy their football and ensure there is a club to support. I’m also a season ticket holder. My only complaint is I wish everyone would arrive 15-20 minutes earlier so the volunteers can see the kick-off. I’m really enjoying the volunteering on the pitch itself as when you’ve finished getting it ready the pitch does look fantastic. We could do with more helpers, but I have to say thank you to Paul M, Tony, Paul V, and Kev for their help/technical expertise as well as advice. John Rawles, Spooky, John Lee, Sam Stone, Kev Banks, Tony, Alfie Stone, Simon Etherington and Paul Maitland have all helped me. I’ve done 1.6 million more steps in 2023 mainly from May to Dec doing the pitch, which is 800 miles! If anyone would like to help then please let me know.

Iain Stone's point of view when painting the white lines on the Bob Lucas Stadium pitch (Image: IAIN STONE)

NW: How long have you been a Weymouth supporter?

IS: Since I was five years old when my parents moved to Weymouth along with supporting Liverpool. After the Dave Higson era I did travel over the hill to watch Dorchester for a while with Stuart Morgan. I returned to watch Weymouth under Martyn Harrison and never stopped attending as a season ticket holder. I’m now 55 and worked for British Gas for 37 years until taking early retirement in November 2020. I started as an apprentice gas engineer at Weymouth Depot opposite the old Weymouth Rec ground and retired as national engineer channel manager. The volunteering on the pitch helps me to relax as I’m a carer for my mum who has vascular dementia.

NW:  Why do you volunteering is important for the club?

IS: The club needs volunteers to help it function. Every little bit helps. Premier League wages ultimately cascade down in terms of expectations and I’m afraid to say that the money at the top makes it harder for non-League clubs to survive. We’ve seen some big clubs fail in recent years and the effect on the community is massive. Everyone involved at Weymouth who’s volunteered, supported and sponsored is valued. As a supporter myself I do not underestimate the value the club brings to the community. Being able to meet with friends and talk is incredibly undervalued especially for those who live alone.

Iain Stone volunteering at Weymouth FC (Image: IAIN STONE)

NW: What is your involvement with Weymouth U23s?

IS: As I hold an FA Disclosure I help with Weymouth Women and the under-23s wherever needed. The pitch is also prepared for those two teams as well by me and the rest of the volunteers. The same volunteers help behind the scenes with both the women’s and under-23s when they have home games.

NW: Your teenage son Alfie is on the books at Weymouth, what’s it like to have your son coming up through the ranks at the club?

IS: Incredibly proud of all my children and the youngest Alfie is totally dedicated to sport. He was on the “Gifted and Talented in Sport” program at Wey Valley as well as being at AFC Bournemouth Academy Development Centre. Alfie was invited to train with the under-23s in September 2022 when he was 15. He played eight times for the under-23s last season under Paul Tapper after turning 16 in January 2023 and was called up to play in Dorset Senior Cup final in Poole last season before the weather intervention led to it being cancelled. He trained with the first team in February last season despite Bobby being involved in the “Great Escape”. It was a brilliant opportunity and experience for him. Bobby arranged for Alfie to go out on a season-long loan to Balti Sports in September 2023 and he’s become a regular member of the squad gaining experience in Dorset Premier League. He gets game time every week and Marco, Chris, Carl and Rob have been brilliant along with the Balti Sports players. For me personally it’s hard when Weymouth and Balti Sports are at home on a Saturday, but he’s in good hands and I get to watch him when Weymouth are away. Bobby is great with the young lads in the under-23s with six out on loan. He checks in with me per disclosure, he wants to make sure the players are looked after, happy and enjoying themselves. I cannot speak more highly of Bobby having witnessed first-hand how he looks after all our players. He sets them goals, listens to them and makes time to watch their development. Most supporters only see what he does on a first-team matchday, so it’s very insightful. He puts players’ welfare first and foremost which is confidential so not everything gets talked about and that’s how it should be. Paul Maitland has also given great advice to Alfie. He’s at college training to be an electrician and he is on his own footballing journey which is all about hard work and commitment.