TWO of Melksham Town Football Club’s most dedicated stalwarts, Mick and Darren Perrin, have announced their ‘sad’ departure, citing serious issues at the club.
Mick is stepping down as joint president after 62 years of service, while his son, Darren, has resigned as commercial manager and chairman following claims he suffered bullying and harassment. These allegations have escalated to police involvement, leading to one arrest.
“Darren has been forced to resign because of ill health brought on by a sustained period of bullying and harassment,” Mick said.
“Because of how he has been treated, on 31st August, when I will be 78 and have done 62 years at the club, I will resign. I feel very sad as I have given my life to Melksham Town. It got so bad that the police have got involved. It will be a very sad day for me to leave after 62 years.”
Darren has also played a significant part in the club over the years as a player, manager, chairman, director and commercial manager during his time there.
Mick praised his son’s achievements during his seven and a half years as chairman. “He introduced sportsman’s evenings, golf tournaments, top pre-season games, Man Utd veteran games, corporate and society events,” said Mick. “He has brought in top sponsors, helped to surround the ground with advertising boards, made the club available for conventions, functions, weddings, birthdays and wakes, arranged charity games and helped people in the community, especially the lovely family of Ben Smith. He’s supported the Ben Saunders Foundation which supports young people with cancer and helped arrange the Ian Monnery Cup with Chippenham every year for another lovely family.
“Yes, he’s my son, but Darren has achieved more in his seven and a half years than I did in my 62 years and he’s been a great ambassador for the club and a fantastic servant.
“The club as an employer has a duty of care for its employees but it has failed in its duty to Darren.”
Mick joined Melksham Town at the age of 16 and made his playing debut at Peasedown in 1962, going on to spend his whole playing career at the club. He went on to become secretary of the club for 15 years and then served as chairman for another 15 years. He has received various awards from the English FA and Western League for his services to football and Melksham Town and also received a Civic Award from Melksham Town Council. He received an Outstanding Personal Achievement Award from Wiltshire Football Association in 2022 after 60 years at Melksham Town.
Mick also noted Darren’s contributions as the club’s manager. “When I was chairman in the 1996/97 season, I appointed Darren as manager of Melksham Town,” he said. “A number of people called it ‘nepotism’ and we took a lot of abuse. But he duly won the Western League 1st Division in his first year, only losing three league games.
“Darren has been our most successful manager as far as trophies won. He is also the only manager in the Western League to have won the First Division and the Premier League with the same club.
“He also won the Wilts Premier Shield against Swindon Town 1st XI at the County Ground in Swindon and also beat Salisbury to win the trophy at the Chippenham Town ground.
“He also managed at Frome Town where he got them promoted to the Southern League and managed Chippenham Town where he got them to the first round of the FA Cup. He also ran the academy at Forest Green Rovers.
“He was just two weeks old when he went to his first Melksham Town game and after giving his life to the club, he deserves better. After he’s achieved so much and been so dedicated, it is so sad to see things end like this.”
Wiltshire Police said, “We can confirm that we have received a report regarding harassment and bullying towards a man in his 50s from Melksham. One person has been arrested in connection with the investigation and enquiries are currently ongoing. It would be inappropriate to comment further at this time.”
Melksham Town Football Club said they would not be providing a comment on the allegations.
Support Local News
Help us keep your community connected and informed.
Local news is under pressure more than ever. For just £2 a month, you can support independent reporting that shares local stories, investigates the issues that affect you, and keeps residents up to date.
Choose a monthly subscription or a one-off donation. All donations will be reinvested into producing local journalism for Melksham.
Donate Now
