Farnborough FC in the Community announcement

Lorraine Buckley, Chairperson of the Trust said: “I think we’ve hit gold with Waleed!

“A truly dedicated gentleman with local knowledge and a real sense of determination to support the community.

“‘m really excited for the future of Farnborough FC Community Trust with him on board. Welcome Waleed!’

Waleed had this to say: “I am delighted to be joining Farnborough FC Community Trust as my connection to Simon Gardener goes back to the 1980’s! The world is indeed a small place.

“The main reason is the compassion and care both Simon and Duncan Saunders showed towards me when I had a major health scare in February this year. They both reached out and made me feel part of the FFC family from the off and I want to repay them by helping in any way I can.

“Having spent the last eight years involved with two other National League Clubs, The FA, and latterly, Benfica, I was delighted to accept the invitation to join FFCCT and share my experiences (football and business) to realise the tremendous opportunities FFC clearly has. There is a great squad behind the scenes whose dedication to FFC is so inspiring.

“I live 10 minutes from the Club, so this really is my local Club that I want to serve and make successful. Over the coming weeks and months, I shall look forward to meeting as many of you as possible… please stop me and say hello and let’s get behind our journey to move forward.

“Come on the Boro… onwards and upwards!”

As we welcome Waleed to his new role as Managing Director, we’d like to say a huge thank you to Duncan Saunders who has worked alongside Lorraine Buckley to support the Trust’s initial steps in moving forward and supporting community projects in their infancy.

Introducing Waleed Khan

After 35 years of working in corporate business in several senior management roles, I retired in July 2015 at the age of 55. My goals and objectives in retirement were to get my FA Coaching Badges, learn Italian and put time back into my local community. I had no idea this would come through the world of Non-League football.,

I started my working career in the financial service industry in 1980. Over time, I moved to an international role having responsibility for 50+ countries and territories and was one of the MDs for a €4.5 billion Germany Group producing circa €159M in profits when I left in 2015.

After retiring, I fulfilled my objectives of gaining my FA Coaching Badges working with and studying at the Army FA HQ in Aldershot from 2016 to 2018. I was one of two civilians allowed to join the course. That led to becoming a Director at Aldershot Town FC. After learning my coaching skills under the pupillage of the then 1st Team Manager, Gary Waddock, I was invited to join the Board of ATFC. Here I became the Academy Director and under my stewardship between 2018-23, my coaching team produced three England U18 School Boys and a number Pathway Players to the 1st Team, the EFL and Championship. Additionally, 7 cohorts gained sports scholarships to major US universities.

At the end of the 2022/23 season I joined Dorking Wanderers FC as a Director.

I have a passion for serving my community and have worked with local schools, Charities and Rushmoor Borough Council supporting refugees. I ran the first ever FA, ED&I event in Aldershot in October 2021with Anwar Uddin MBE, when 120 guests from the many diverse communities attended including the Ambassador of Nepal, Head of the Rushmoor Borough Council and other senior dignitaries.

In October 2023, the CEO of the Army FA, Graham Brookland, invited me to become the Lead in delivering the Army FA’s Equality, Diversity & Inclusion Strategy. As a civilian, this is a great honour for me. I again work closely with the FA’s ED&I Lead Manager, Anwar Uddin MBE.

I also have the privilege of working with Benfica FC in Lisbon developing International Academies.

As we welcome Waleed to his new role as MD of FFCCT, we’d like to say a huge thank you to Duncan Saunders who has worked alongside Lorraine Buckley to support the Trust’s initial steps in moving forward and supporting community projects in their infancy.