Football club’s CEO inspires students

Grimsby Town's Chief Executive Officer left students inspired after a fascinating talk during Careers Week.

Polly Bancroft took them on her 20-year journey in football which sees her in the top job at Blundell Park, responsible for the men's, women's and academy teams plus the club's commercial activities and upkeep of the stadium.

She played football for her school and was in a club team.

"I looked for young leadership opportunities and I was volunteering all the time," she said. "I wasn't just playing football but learned other sports as well such as netball and tennis."

She took her audience through her career before answering questions, advising about lessons learned.

"A big thing is to make sure you prepare really well for everything. If you're doing a talk, find out who your audience is and what they might be interested in."

Her career had not always gone to plan.

"Things do happen that you can't control but always keep to your values," she said.

One of those was to treat people as individuals.

"Not everybody is the same. We all do jobs for different reasons and I found that out pretty early on."

She spoke to students about how to handle setbacks.

"You need to share how you're feeling with those closest to you.

"Your skin gets tougher and a bad experience makes you better for next time."

She was not bothered about what people felt about "a woman being in a man's game".

"I've been in football for 20 years and have proven skills and experience. If others have got an issue with that, it is their problem, not mine."

Asked about her future, Polly said: "I am really enjoying the job, so we will see.

"When it came up, I met with the owners and was very impressed.

"I looked at the club's accounts and spoke to people either at the club or who had been at the club.

"It had to be the right role for me."

She has come a long way from her Nottingham home.

Polly studied at Leeds Beckett University before landing her first job in football, responsible for increasing the numbers of women and girls playing the game in the East Riding.

She later landed a job at the English Football Association as national project manager. Among her roles was to organise media appearances for the national women's team, including the likes of Jill Scott and Steph Houghton.

She went on a 12-month secondment to UEFA's headquarters in Switzerland and was offered a permanent post after six.

Supported by her boyfriend who became her husband, she spent five years working for UEFA, travelling across Europe. Their son was born in Geneva.

It was at the time of the pandemic and when the general manager for the women's programme came up at Brighton and Hove Albion, the family moved back to the UK.

She switched again to take a similar role at Manchester United. It was a year after the Lionesses had triumphed at the Euros and she was working with the likes of Mary Earps, Ella Toone and Alessia Russo.

She moved, with her family, to Grimsby in June last year.

Several members of her audience are in the club's academy.

Left back Keelan Bryan and left winger Oliver Robinson (both 15) play for the under 15s while striker Bella Horsewood (13) has scored 35 goals this season for the under 14 girls' team.

All were left impressed by the person in charge at Blundell Park.

Oliver said: "The journey she has been on is inspirational with all the different places she has gone and things she has done to get to where she is today."

"The talk was really interesting and inspirational," said Bella.

Keelan added: "It was a good talk and she was impressive."

Ella Love (14) plays centre midfield and right wing for Cleethorpes Town and recognised Polly's enthusiasm for the game.

"I just love playing football; the competitive side and working together as a team, with the adrenalin you feel and being part of a community all together," she said.

Polly met the academy's new Executive Principal Philip Dickinson and was thanked, after her presentation, by Careers Lead Laura Fuller.

Grimsby Town's Chief Executive Officer is welcomed to Waltham Toll Bar Academy by Executive Principal Phil Dickinson and Vice Principal Ollie Fothergill.

Polly's presentation took students through her career.

Students were engaged by her fascinating career.

A packed lecture theatre listen to Grimsby Town's CEO.

Polly with students after her presentation, including Keelan Bryan (fifth left), Oliver Robinson (5th right) and Bella Horsewood (fourth right), all in the club's academy.