It’s a role often not given the credit it deserves. But the new kitman at Spalding United has played an integral part of the club’s success this season.
Rob Green says his first campaign amongst the Tulips’ voluntary support staff has been a blast.
And he’s completed every match home and away alongside his dad Ian and Dylan, one of his two 11-year-old sons.
They saw the club go agonisingly close to clinching promotion from the Pitching In Northern Premier League Midland Division before a last-gasp equaliser by Halesowen Town in the play-off final sent it into extra-time and, ultimately, a 2-1 defeat.
That came just weeks after losing the Lincolnshire Senior Cup final, 1-0 to Grantham Town.
It was still a notable effort by the Tulips who were the last team in the top eight tiers of the league structure to be beaten, a run stretching 18 matches until January.
Green (32) said: “We came up short in the cup final and for 94 minutes of the play-off final we were superb.
“The lads gave everything. Staino [Nathan Stainsfield] could hardly walk at the end and it was a tough one for the season to end that way for us.
“We missed out to two clubs realistically built to go up – Stamford and Halesowen have the grounds and fanbase to play at a higher level.
“And that’s what’s being worked towards at Spalding United. We’re doing bits and pieces to improve the ground and make it a better place to play for and support the Tulips.
“And the club is working hard to get more people coming to matches.”
Green has strengthened the link with the club’s youngsters, bringing every youth team plus players from the Teeny Tulips he coaches on Saturday mornings to be mascots at first-team matches at the Sir Halley Stewart Playing Field.
His other son, Riley, is a league title winner with Spalding United Under-12s.
Meanwhile, Green’s into his fourth season coaching the Under-12 team at rivals Holbeach United – a fact not lost on his mates.
“They give me a bit of banter about it,” he laughed. “It’s strange, I know, because Spalding United and Holbeach United are not known to mix but the way I see it is I’m just helping two good, local clubs.”
He’s helping charities too, raising a total of more than £30,000 for Children With Cancer, Clic Sargent and Macmillan.
That followed a diagnosis of bladder cancer at 11 years old, which later inspired him to fundraise in three London marathons. One of those runs and a bout of COVID were the only reasons he failed to make it to just two of the Tulips’ matches in the 2021/22 season.
His enthusiasm and rousing vocal support were soon picked up on by chief executive Leigh Porter.
“He came up to me and said ‘have you thought about being part of the club?’ and asked me to be kitman,” said Green. “I really enjoy it, getting stuff like the players’ kits and protein shakes sorted. And the managers have had me involved with the warm-ups and training.
“So I’m also learning new stuff that I’m then able to pass on to the young players I coach. And one of the first team, Connor Peters, came over to Holbeach United with me to take a training session, which was great.”
Being sponsored by Sign Design Services is important to Green too, making him feel on par with the players.
“It’s an exciting time to be involved with the club and I’m proud to be part of it and see what we can achieve together,” he added.
A great example of a volunteer who’s the lifeblood of a lower league club and doing great things with adults and children’s teams alike.
