WHITE Ensign could lay claim to having the youngest chairman in the country after confirming the appointment of 23-year-old Josh Ferris.
Ferris had previously been the Essex Senior League‘s side physiotherapist and says he feels honoured to have been handed the added responsibility at such a young age.
“I’m not really sure if there’s anyone else who is a club chairman under the age of 30 but I’m proud to be doing it,” said Ferris.
“It was a bit of a strange one but I was just asked to do it and it’s great.
“I had been the physio for four seasons and really enjoyed it. But to change onto the management side has been really good and I want to help drive the club forward now.”
And Ferris has already identified ways to move the club forward.
“I want to help make it more modern and I’m really excited,” he said. “White Ensign is a good family club and we’ve got a lot of exciting young, local players from the area who we’re delighted to have with us.”
Ferris replaces Steve Johnson as the club’s chairman who took over from Alan Day towards the start of last season. Day had held the role for an unbelievable 64 years.
And Ferris stressed the previous chairmen would be a tough act to follow.
“It’s a great honour and to follow after Alan who did it for 60 years is amazing,” said Ferris. “I’ve got big shoes to fill after Alan and Steve but I’m looking forward to the challenge. There is a lot of stuff you don’t really ever realise that goes on behind the scenes but it’s been good.
“To fit it all around a fulltime job as an osteopath is difficult but we make it work.
“You find the time and it’s important you do.”
Ensign are currently preparing for the forthcoming campaign which gets underway at the end of this month.
And Ferris is targeting a good first season in charge.
“I’d love us to be in the top 10 and have a good cup run like we did last season,” said Ferris. “We had our best ever run in the FA Vase and hopefully we can do even better this time.”
