The Board of AFC Sudbury has announced that it has reluctantly accepted the resignation of Director, Professor Richard Smith. Richard has decided that, principally for health reasons, he feels unable to perform his Board role with quite the level of enthusiasm, commitment and knowledge that he has consistently shown over the last few years. His contributions will be hugely missed by all of us.

Richard was born in Sible Hedingham just over the county border from Sudbury and attended Earls Colne Grammar School. He went to university in London and then onto an academic career as a historical geographer, largely in the Universities of Chicago, Oxford and Cambridge. 

His uncle played for Sudbury Town before World War II and he has always been a follower of the club’s fortunes. He has lived in Clare since 2006 and has been watching and supporting AFC Sudbury ever since; invariably with his wife, Peggy, at his side.

Richard’s primary contribution has been as an avid supporter and critical friend during the development of the Academy Centre of Excellence. Only last month he attended a meeting with our education provider, helping to shape the future of the Academy’s future development. His impact on the success of the Academy, and its role at the heart of the club, cannot be underestimated.

But whilst being the eldest of our current Directors, Richard has always been among the most progressive. During Board Meetings and board-wide debates, his contributions have very often been made from a position of empathy and sympathy for those groups in and around the club and community who have been less included by football over the years. Although a loyal Men’s First Team supporter on Saturday afternoons, his lasting legacy here will be in the early understanding and adoption of the need for football to reach out, and to be as inclusive as possible.

This was much in evidence in Richard’s work heading up the Vice Presidents’ Club. Under his leadership, this group of local people have found ways to both enjoy each other’s company and raise additional funding for the club. However, they are very specific about how the funding they raise is used. Mindful that talent is universal, but opportunity is not, the club works with them to identify young players and Academy students who need a little additional support to be able to join their peers in enjoying all that football provides to young lives.

Richard has been a somewhat under the weather recently, but has every intention of being back on the terraces as soon as his health permits. Get well soon, Richard, and we look forward to seeing you. Few people are more welcome here. We hope that we will be able to call on you for your usual sound advice and judgement for many years to come. But above all, be able to enjoy your company as you truly are "part of the furniture".