Check out this Q&A with Josh Thompson (JT) our new club president as he shares his journey with GFC, his vision for the club's future, and what football means to him on a personal level.

Q: JT, you've been hanging around Greytown FC since then the beginning. Fancy sharing some memories from the early days?

A: Too right! I started off playing for Greytown when I was a kid at age nine, with Shayne Appleman showing me the ropes. He's one of the originals. It's been a heck of a ride from those days, playing under Featherston FC's wing, to leading the first team as skipper. Watching this club grow from scratch in 2009 to what it is now has been mint. Learning from Shayne was a proper highlight for me.

Q: You've run with some club legends. How's that shaped your view of the club?

A: Having a run with legends like Chris James, James Elliott, Graeme Hunt, Dean Southey, Trish Morrison, Andy Trail, and heaps of others has been mint. Everyone brought their own spark and love for the game, which just added to the family vibe at GFC. It's these friendships and shared yarns that make our club what it is.

Q: You've done more than just play. What else have you been up to?

A: Apart from having a go on the field, I've thrown myself into our Junior Committee and loved seeing the club get bigger, especially with the Gems, our women's team, joining the fray. Watching the junior ranks swell and the wider community getting stuck into football has been brilliant.

Q: Stepping into the shoes of GFC's founding President, Paul Southey, how's that feel?

A: It's a real honour. Paul set up a cracking foundation with community at its heart, and I'm all in to keep that going. Paul was a true Kaumatua, weaving Maori values like community duty into the club's fabric, and I'm keen to build on that legacy of togetherness as we look ahead.

Q: Footie's more than just a game to you, aye?

A: Spot on. Footie here is about pulling everyone together, creating a whānau vibe where we all back each other up. It's about teaching our young ones about teamwork, respect, and being part of a community. That's the magic of our club.

Q: What's on the horizon for GFC?

A: I'm set on building on what we're good at, especially beefing up our women's and youth setups. I'm stoked about the new pavilion project too—it's a sign of how far we've come. But I'm keen to keep the GFC spirit alive and kicking, making sure our tight-knit community vibe stays front and centre.

Q: What's been your standout moment with GFC?

A: Having a kick about in the summer sevens with my missus, my three lads, and some mates was something else. It summed up everything GFC's about - family, fun, and footie. Looking forward, I'm buzzing to see our top team give it a go in Capital 2 and to back all our members in their growth and development.

Article added: Wednesday 21 February 2024