COMMITTEE MEMBERS

Chairman
Matthew May

Matthew has dedicated over a decade to the female game, beginning his journey by coaching his daughter’s Team and ultimately rising to the position of Chairman at Cottingham Rangers AFC, one of the largest grassroots clubs in the Hull area, boasting 42 teams and over 500 players.

In his formative years, he focused on expanding his knowledge and coaching expertise within grassroots football, achieving the FA Level 2 qualification and numerous other football-related credentials.

As his involvement deepened, he took on various roles within the Club, including Club Safeguarding, Welfare Officer, Vice Chairman, and Chairman.

Matthew’s passion for football is evident. During his tenure (10 Years) at Cottingham Rangers, he played a pivotal role in promoting and developing the female game, increasing participation levels from just two teams to an impressive thirteen girls’ teams, making it the largest in the area at that time.

Matthew’s true strength lies in his unwavering passion for female football at all levels and his commitment to ensuring fairness within the game.

Over the course of a decade, alongside coaching and managing Teams, he also took on the responsibility of overseeing the Club’s FA Wildcats Initiative and set up the Cottingham Rangers Girls Mini-Football, providing young girls with their first steps into the world of football.

He devised and implemented a comprehensive three-year improvement strategy for Cottingham Rangers, securing the Club’s financial sustainability and contributing to the volunteer Team that was honoured with The FA Club of the Year Award.

After stepping down as an executive member of Cottingham Rangers, he focused on managing and coaching his U9 Girls’ Team, affectionately known as “The Kestrels.” He also played a crucial role in establishing and coaching the Cottingham Rangers Women’s ’24 Team.

Recently, the women’s Team decided to leave Cottingham Rangers and form their own Club, Inglemire AFC, allowing them the freedom to concentrate solely on female football. Matthew agreed to take on the role of Chairman, leveraging his experience and passion to ensure the new Club operates to the highest standards.

His vision for Inglemire AFC is to be synonymous with high-quality female football, achieve financial sustainability, and gradually expand the Club by adding additional age groups.

Club Secretary (Treasurer)
Shelly Leake

Shelly Leake has been a passionate advocate for grassroots football for over a decade, fuelled by her daughters’ love for the game. Her journey in football began when her daughters started playing, leading her to become deeply involved in the community.

Three years ago, Shelly joined the executive committee of Cottingham Rangers, stepping into the vital role of club secretary for twelve months, eventually moving to her current role with the East Riding Girls League as welfare officer.

Shelly has graciously taken on the responsibilities of club secretary and treasurer for Inglemire AFC, where she is dedicated to building and preparing the club for an exciting first season. She eagerly anticipates the moment when everything comes together, watching the newly promoted ladies’ team take to the pitch, playing with pride for our all-female club. Her vision is to foster the growth of the club by ensuring teams of all ages are represented.

Club Welfare
Katie Thompson

Katie is a seasoned footballer with over 15 years of experience in the women’s game. A key player for Hull City Ladies, she played a vital role in two promotions, helping the team reach as high as tier 3 of English women’s football. Now captain at Inglemire, Katie is committed to using her experience to guide and inspire a young, ambitious squad. Her focus is on building confidence, sharing knowledge, and supporting her teammates both on and off the pitch. 

Driven by the passion and commitment of everyone involved with the club, Katie’s goal is to help lead Inglemire to success and push them through the leagues, creating something truly special in the women’s game.

Gemma Bentley
Player Committee Member

Gemma has played football from a young age, starting in boys’ teams at junior level, then moving into girls’ football and progressing through to open age at 16, playing in various positions.

During college, Gemma took an active role coaching secondary school football, developing players and building confidence. These skills have been further enhanced throughout subsequent studies and job roles, driven by a passion for increasing women’s and girls’ participation in sport.

With Inglemire’s intention of creating a solely female-based club, Gemma is excited about the opportunity to be involved in the committee and hopes to bring fresh ideas and perspectives.

Gemma’s main priority is to be an approachable presence in the team to help bridge the gap between players and management and communicate players’ ambitions or concerns. Also keen to encourage a positive mindset within the team and create an inclusive atmosphere where all players feel welcome and enjoy their football whilst progressing their skills.

Chris Mould
Coach Committee Member

Chris has dedicated the last seven years to the female game, passionately coaching his daughter’s team as she advanced through the age groups into Women’s open-age football.

Chris’s coaching philosophy centres on effort, attitude, hard work, and determination. He is committed to keeping players engaged and motivated, fostering a culture of eagerness to learn and improve.

Chris brings a wealth of real-world football experience to the club, having played at various high-level local clubs throughout his career. He is a respected figure among his peers and well-known in the local footballing community.

His playing experience has equipped Chris with extensive technical knowledge and insights he eagerly shares with the next generation of footballers.

Chris is driven by a passion to cultivate a remarkable women team that aspires to compete in the women first division and beyond.

Andy Leake
Manager Committee Member

With a deep-rooted passion for football that spans playing, watching, and coaching,

Andys journey into grassroots football began a decade ago when he took charge of the Costello Crocs under-9 girls’ team, stepping in to ensure his daughter’s team could continue their journey.

Over the years, he led the team to numerous trophies and competitions, a testament to their hard work and dedication. In 2020, Andy moved to the Cottingham Rangers Under Sixteen Girls team, first as Coach and then as Manager the following year.

Under his leadership, the Cottingham team celebrated two consecutive plate victories at under seventeen and under eighteen, leaving the league on a high note and establishing a reputation for their exciting, attacking style of play.

Andy, alongside his coaching staff, fortified the team as they entered the County Women’s League Division Two. They finished an impressive second in their debut season and earned promotion to Division One.

Andy has strengthened the Team further with strategic player signings that have brought experience and technical prowess in crucial areas. He is now focused on the upcoming season in Division One.

He is invigorated by the challenge of nurturing the new club and passionately promoting the female game within the region.