At Penrith AFC’s Frenchfield Park stadium it’s become a sight as common as seeing the referee blow his whistle.
Minutes before half-time breaks, with a small notepad and pen in hand, long-serving volunteer Kim Hodgson quickly descends the outdoor grandstand steps before taking hot drink orders from players, coaches and managers in the home and away dugouts, writes Craig McGlasson.
As sure as night follows day, a tray of drinks will then be delivered to the opposition camps as their match plays out in front of the hardy band of supporters.
“I think we’re the only club in the country that does it — certainly in the Northern League,” says Kim of that bespoke service. “On a cold Tuesday evening in the middle of December they all need them.”
But from next season Kim’s much appreciated regular routine will be no more. After 14 years she has decided to step down from her role as a dedicated volunteer.
As was the case when the Herald spoke with long-serving Penrith Ladies’ manager Simon Savage around the turn of this year, Kim answered this newspaper’s questions while surrounded by club kit. In her case, on a perfect sunny and blustery day, she had pegged on her washing line strips to be used by the first team players at Tuesday’s Fred Conway Cumberland FA Senior Cup final against Workington AFC at Carlisle’s Brunton Park.
Which was a fitting way to bow out, given how her association with the Blues started after the club switched from their long-time home at Southend Road to Frenchfield Park. “I started by offering to wash the kit,” said Kim, a 62-year-old retired civil servant who had occasionally watched matches at the club’s former town centre home. “I used to sit behind (previous kit-washer, the late) Edith Nanson to watch the matches. The following season, before a pre-season match against Carlisle United, five committee members met me at the gate to see if was still offering to do it!
So began more than a decade of service which has included almost every single off-pitch task.
“I’ve been club treasurer; I do food for the sponsors and players; work on the bar, which can mean I do 14-hour shifts sometimes if we’ve got a function on at night,” she says. “I used to drive the players to matches and back for about six years and I provided refreshments for players on the bus. I’ve probably done every job that doesn’t involve the pitch!”
That also includes painstaking tasks such as printing off paper golden goal tickets which are sold at the turnstile before each home game to put precious funds in the coffers. “It’s those little things. I don’t think people realise how much time is involved and how you’ve got to think ahead; what’s happening this coming weekend and what’s got to be organised?” she said.
There is also food to buy for matchday catering and special dietary requirements to consider. “One of the first team lads is vegan. These are the little things. They all appreciate it. All I ask is for them to say ‘thank you’, and when they do, that’s what makes it worthwhile.”
So, too, is seeing players move on from Penrith to play at a higher level. That was illustrated perfectly at Tuesday’s cup final when a host of ex-Penrith players were part of the Workington squad. They included Steven Rigg, who initially made a giant leap to Carlisle United after a record-breaking goalscoring spell at Frenchfield Park.
“He would have tea and three sugars, and then nearly always score a goal!” laughs Kim.
“I’ve made a lot of friends,” adds Kim, reflecting on 14 years’ service. “I’ve had a real good crack with the players, built up a really good, almost working relationship with them and had a lot of banter.
“In terms of them playing I haven’t seen many of the games in the last few years (due to off-field duties) but when I have, I’ve enjoyed watching them and also enjoyed watching them progress when they move on even though you miss them playing for us.”
She expects son Bradley, formerly a long-serving and well-known Penrith AFC mascot, and her husband Stuart, to remain at the club as committee members.
Kim lives at Culgaith, has an elder son Austin Holmes and a younger daughter, Casey, and works in a family rental homes business which includes Stuart and step-brother Adam. She has “no specific reasons” for giving up but said: “It just seemed the right time.”
So how will she spend future Saturday afternoons between August and May? “I’ve a nice big garden and I’ll be able to wash 14 years’ worth of socks for Stuart. He says ‘I might get my washing done now!” she laughs.
Penrith first team captain Adam Main paid tribute to Kim, saying: “On behalf of the lads, a thank you will never be enough for the time and effort Kim has put in over the years.
“As players, we appreciate everything she has done for us, from washing the kit to cooking. The club wouldn’t be where it is today without its volunteers — they’re the backbone of the football club.”
Penrith manager Darren Edmondson said: “These kind of people at small clubs, the volunteers, are worth their weight in gold. Kim is going to be a sad miss and it’ll be difficult for the club to replace her. We wish her all the best, send her love and best wishes and we hope we see her down at the ground as a supporter.”
