In January 2022, Binfield announced the departure of former Chairman, Bob Bacon, after over a decade at the club. In the same statement, The Moles announced that former vice-chairman Andy Cotton would take his place at the helm.
After four and a half years in the role, Cotton reflects on the transitional period and praises those who have helped shape the football club as you see it today.
Speaking to Football in Berkshire, Cotton praised the work of the former Chairman, and former club secretary, Rob Challis, who between them laid down the infrastructure for him to excel in his role today.
Cotton, who spent ten years supporting Bacon as his vice-chairman, recognises that Bacon’s monumental effort is paramount to any current progress both on and off the pitch.
“I think we’ve got to pay some homage to our previous chairman Bob bacon,” he said in an interview with Football in Berkshire. “I worked with Bob very closely for ten years when I was vice chairman and sponsor of the club.
“I think Bob exhausted himself through the sheer amount of work that he put into Binfield. When I was asked to take over in January 2022, I recognised even further the work and effort that he put into the role.
“Bob left the club in a better position than when he took over, which is an important thing to do.
“I see him at games and everybody at the club should always remain grateful to that man for work that he put in. Bob and I have maintained a great relationship throughout my tenure.”
Whilst Bacon had a large influence on proceedings at Hill Farm Lane prior to his departure, Cotton was also quick to recognise the work that Challis put in behind the scenes before his departure in 2024.
“I want to talk about Rob Challis as well,” he added. “Rob did an amazing job in the background for many years pushing our football club along and raising standards across the board.
“Through his efforts, and the incredible hard work, he set up the club to be able to push on and compete.
“He was clubhouse manager, he was kit man, he was the bar and volunteer guru, he helped everybody with anything. Rob rightly retired back to The Isle of Sheppey a few years ago.
“We found it quite tough to manage without him, especially at the start, but here we are and I think we’re thriving again.
“It is really important to remember his legacy as I don’t think he gets enough of the accolades that he deserves.”
As Cotton guides the Moles into another highly competitive season at Step 4, his focus remains firmly on preserving those hard-earned foundations. For a chairman who views himself merely as a custodian, the ultimate goal remains clear: to one day leave Hill Farm Lane in an even better position than the day he inherited it.
You can see more from Binfield FC on the club’s dedicated page on Football in Berkshire here.
