From: Rob & Vatan June 17, 2025

Our Journey with TFA has Come to an End

To:
TFA Lions FC Community, Coaches & Future Leadership
Re:
A heartfelt goodbye & reflection on our time together and hopes for the future
With warmest regards,
Rob & Vatan

Where It All Started

The early days that shaped our love for this club

When we first joined TFA Lions FC over five years ago, we found something special - a grassroots club with heart, ambition, and coaches who genuinely cared about developing young players. Like many of you, we didn't just want to be spectators; we wanted to contribute to something meaningful.

Those early days taught us what it meant to build from nothing. When our team needed goals, we bought them. When facilities were lacking, we helped secure better venues. When the clubhouse needed stocking, we rolled up our sleeves. It wasn't about recognition - it was about being part of something bigger than ourselves.

Built by Passionate People

Every successful grassroots club is built by people who go above and beyond - coaches investing their own money, volunteers giving their weekends, parents who become the backbone of the community.

What Made Us Fall in Love

The incredible aspects that kept us committed year after year

Amazing Coaches

Dedicated professionals who invest their own time and money, creating an environment where young players can truly develop and grow.

Community Spirit

The friendships formed, the shared celebrations, and the sense of belonging that makes grassroots football so special.

Growth Potential

Watching the club evolve, securing better venues, attracting sponsorships, and seeing real progress year after year.

Over the years, we've been privileged to see our team become one of the club's most successful. We've helped secure venue upgrades that raised standards for everyone. We've contributed to building a fully stocked clubhouse and supported strategic partnerships that gave the club a competitive edge.

But most importantly, we've been part of a community where young players develop not just as footballers, but as people.

Where Things Became Difficult

The challenges that made our position increasingly untenable

Despite our deep love for the club, the past 18 months have been increasingly challenging. As people who've invested significantly - both financially and emotionally - we found ourselves facing issues that went against everything we believe grassroots football should represent.

Lack of Financial Transparency

Despite the club's growth and increased revenue streams, we felt that greater financial transparency would benefit all members. For people who've contributed substantial personal funds, clearer communication about club finances would be welcomed.

Basic Maintenance Neglected

Simple issues like stinging nettles making it impossible to retrieve balls remain unaddressed, while the club's financial priorities seem to lie elsewhere.

Voices Unheard

Professional advice and constructive feedback from experienced members has been consistently dismissed, leading to missed opportunities and repeated mistakes.

Conflict of Interest Concerns

Our team has faced treatment that feels inconsistent with our contributions to the club. After years of dedication and building one of the club's most successful teams, we've experienced decisions that have made it difficult for us to continue operating effectively in this environment.

Equipment and Kit Funding Burden

Coaches have been forced to personally fund essential equipment from their own pockets when club support wasn't available. This includes taking teams to leading tournaments without any contribution for entry fees, and being unwilling to fund end-of-season trophies, leaving coaches to cover these costs personally - placing an unfair financial burden on volunteers.

Critical Administrative Failures

Forgetting to rebook pitches has led to teams having to change home venues or not even having pitches to play on. Mismanagement of admin has led to teams being kicked out of league competitions at the final stage. Some teams have faced challenges with league competition entries due to administrative timing issues, with no involvement to support potential decisions like being kicked out of the MK league.

Match Day Facility Failures

Facilities not being open on match days to serve food and drinks to families. End-of-season awards events with no hot food available and the bar running out of drinks for the kids. Inadequate catering arrangements with limited refreshments available for children and families attending club events.

Lack of Training Standards and Support

No guidance or support from external experts to maintain and improve training standards across the club. Coaches have largely had to develop their own approaches without structured professional development opportunities or investment in coaching excellence.

Leadership Commitment Questions

When the Chairman asks the manager to take over the running of the club, it raises questions about whether there's really a drive from the top to make things better. This suggests a lack of personal investment and commitment from current leadership to address the club's operational challenges.
To Our Incredible Coaches

You are the heartbeat of TFA Lions FC. Your dedication to the kids, your passion for the game, and your commitment to excellence - that's what built this club from scratch.

You invested your own money when the club had nothing. You deserve leadership that matches your professionalism and dedication.

Our decision to leave has absolutely nothing to do with any of you. You deserve so much better, and we hope you get it.

Our Vision for County Football

How grassroots football could unite rather than divide

Our dream has always extended beyond just our club. We believe in raising standards across the entire county through collaboration, not competition between club leaderships.

Football should bring people together, not create division. When leadership focuses on personal conflicts instead of the bigger picture, everyone loses, especially the kids.

Imagine instead: Club leaders working together, sharing resources, celebrating each other's successes, and creating pathways that benefit all young players in the county.

Full Transparency

Open books, regular financial reports, and member oversight - showing exactly where every penny goes and how decisions are made.

Clear Player Pathways

Documented routes to higher levels with professional coaching standards and measurable development outcomes.

County Leadership

Setting the standard that other clubs aspire to reach, leading through example rather than ego.

Our Final Words June 17, 2025

Until We Meet Again

TFA Lions FC will always hold a special place in our hearts. We've made lifelong friends, witnessed incredible player development, and been part of a community built by amazing coaches and passionate volunteers.

While we're stepping away from the club structure, we're not saying goodbye to the relationships or the hope that someday TFA will have leadership that matches the quality of its coaches and the potential of its players.

To everyone who shares our vision: The foundation is strong. The potential is limitless. With the right leadership, this club could achieve anything. Keep believing, keep pushing for excellence, and never settle for less than what these amazing kids deserve.

With endless respect, gratitude, and hope for the future

Moving Forward Together

Our Ongoing Commitment

While we're stepping away from club involvement, we're not walking away from our commitment to grassroots football excellence.

Actions That Will Be Taken on Your Behalf

  • Contact the FA to ensure your voices are heard
  • Reach out to Leagues for member protection
  • Notify HMRC of relevant concerns
  • Engage with Peterborough United for transparency
Complete Blueprint Available
What's Included:
• Current issues analysis and root causes
• Vision for what we should be striving for
• Step-by-step implementation roadmap
• Revenue models and financial strategies
• Player pathway development plans
• Governance and transparency frameworks

This is a detailed 3+ year plan that could revolutionise grassroots football. Contact me to access this comprehensive transformation guide. I warn you though, it's a long read!
Email
vatanbakija@gmail.com
Direct SMS
07960435013
Name
Vatan Bakija