WILL Evans is stepping down as Head of Community at Burton Albion Community Trust for personal reasons.
Will joined the charity on February 13, 2023, following the departure of Matt Hancock and will now leave the trust in February 2024.
John Widdowson, who was Matt’s deputy for five years before leaving in October 2022 to be Head of Community at Wrexham AFC, will be returning to Burton Albion and will be the BACT Interim Head of Community.
Will Evans said: “I am very proud to have led Burton Albion Community Trust as Head of Community. The trust is a very special organisation and does some unbelievable work every day to support people in the local community. Whilst much of the work is unheralded it is no less important and impactful. There are some incredibly talented staff and volunteers involved in the work of BACT and I know it will go from strength-to-strength.
“Although I am leaving BACT for personal reasons at this time, I will continue to support the managers at BACT and John Widdowson when he joins as Interim Head of Community to ensure a smooth transition and handover.
“I will always be grateful to have worked for Burton Albion and the Community Trust and thank everyone that gave me the opportunity to do so and supported me in the role. I wish everyone involved at BACT and Burton Albion every success in the future.”
Burton Albion Chairman Ben Robinson said: “We are sorry to see Will leave the trust, but we respect and understand that he has to make this decision for personal reasons, which always have to come first.
“Will has only been here a short time but has led BACT through a year that has included a highly successful second Brewers 10K with a doubling of the number of entries and a recent very successful EFL Week of Action highlighting all the work the club and trust do in the local area.
“We want to thank Will for all his effort and hard work and wish him and his family all our best wishes for the future.
“We are fortunate that Will’s departure coincides with the return of John Widdowson who was with the trust previously under Matt Hancock and who has agreed to be Interim Head of Community and will ensure the brilliant work the charity does in the community will continue.”
BACT Chairman Phil Pusey said: “It is with sadness that we accept Will’s resignation as our Head of Community. It is a huge role to take on, and one he has fully invested himself in. We wish him and his family the very best for the future.
“To be able to welcome John Widdowson back as our Interim Head of Community is extremely positive news, as he already knows the club and trust set up well, so he can hit the ground running. I look forward to working with John in taking the trust through the next stages of our development and growth.”
John Widdowson said: “Having spent nine years previously within the Burton Albion family I am extremely pleased and proud to have the opportunity to be part of the family again.
“I’m excited to work alongside the trustees, staff volunteers and partners at BACT.
“This opportunity is only possible thanks to the faith placed in me by the Wrexham AFC and Wrexham AFC Community Trust boards. I’d like to thank all the staff, volunteers and community in Wrexham who made my time there an enjoyable one.”
