Club stalwart Mike enjoys his long-service reward

After stepping down from his invaluable 33-year stint as club secretary, Mike Yapp recently enjoyed his very well-deserved retirement present – a hospitality package at the Hawthorns.

And three late Albion goals against Peterborough United made it an extra special day for the Bank stalwart who handed over the reins to Paul Baker last year.

As well as treating him to a memorable day at the football, the club has also recognised Mike’s sterling service by renaming the annual club member award as the ‘Mike Yapp Award’, which was presented for the first time last November to Martin Ward.

“Both gestures mean a lot and are really appreciated,” said Mike.

Mike’s long involvement with the club began in 1977 when he joined as a useful batter who opened for the Seconds (top score 84 “in the days when bats were less powerful”) and often represented the Firsts.

With the committee looking for younger recruits, Mike was co-opted in 1980 and appointed vice-chair in 1982. It proved to be a temporary role.

“I returned from holiday that year and was informed that the chairman, George Sabin, had died so I became chair for the next three years, eventually becoming secretary in ’87,” he explained.

“Things were very different then and we led rather a hand to mouth existence. We struggled to get two teams together and there were a handful of people doing everything. It was hard work!”

However, the biggest challenge followed the fire which destroyed the old pavilion in December 1994.

“It was a very tricky period. We had to use caravans as changing rooms and there were no facilities such as a bar or showers. We lost some good players,” he said.

“The club could have easily folded, but we got through it. We went on a fundraising crusade and a new pavilion was built in the late ‘90s. It was actually designed to be built in four phases but only stage one happened.”

Incredibly grateful for all Mike’s efforts behind the scenes, the club recognises that his determination (and that of his peers) following the fire undoubtedly helped bring it back from the brink and pave the way for its future successes.

Unsurprisingly, the 2003 Village Cup Final at Lord’s was a very proud occasion and a big highlight of Mike’s involvement.

“There have been lots of great moments as well as some difficult ones. It has been fantastic to see the club develop into such an excellent community club which is now regarded as one of the best in the county,” said Mike.

“I’m not walking away. I’m still a trustee and will still watch games as well as doing occasional umpiring.”