After a very distinguished non-league playing career, Stuart Minall is now taking on one of his biggest challenges to date as Chairman of former Western League giants, Welton Rovers.

It was with Radstock Town that Stuart Minall made his Western League debut, but he proceeded to make his name in the Paulton Rovers team of the late 1980s, managed by Steve Gay. A left back, Stuart was known for his relentless running and his unswerving passion and commitment.

In the early 1990s, Stuart was signed by the Western League legend that was Terry Rowles and ended up with him at Clevedon Town for the season 1992–93. Stuart played in Clevedon's first season at Hand Stadium and the team went on to win the Western League Premier Division – accounting for all of the changes in the league structure since, that is comparable to winning promotion to the Southern League Premier Division today.

In 1995, Terry Rowles returned to his former club, Mangotsfield United, and Stuart Minall went with him. A fantastic FA Vase run followed, which Stuart shared with fellow Nortonian and Welton Rover, a young goalkeeper in the form of Jason Matthews. Mangotsfield reached the two-legged FA Vase semi-final against Clitheroe, but could not force a win over the two legs and Stuart missed out on a much-deserved Wembley appearance.

Stuart subsequently returned to local football to take up a Player Manager role at Paulton Rovers, jointly with good friend, Greg Taylor. For a variety of reasons that didn't really work out and the pair were replaced by Alan Pridham. Almost immediately, both Greg and Stuart made their way 'down the hill' to Adie Britton's Welton Rovers team and in 1999–2000, Welton, now boasting one of the best squads in the entire Western League, came runners-up to an exceptionally strong Devizes Town side and were promoted from the First Division to the Premier Division.

Despite his success, Adie Britton left Welton Rovers part way through the following season and it was Stuart who stepped forward to lead the team. An exciting period of Paulton and Welton rivalry followed, as Pridham's team pushed hard for promotion. Stuart oversaw a 4–1 Good Friday demolition of Paulton at West Clewes, in front of a bumper crowd, but, ultimately, Paulton Rovers were promoted and the two teams have only played one competitive game since.

Stuart left the West Clewes hotseat to focus on his burgeoning business and Welton went through a challenging spell of ups and downs as they sought to hang on to their Premier

Division status. Having enjoyed a couple of seasons under the refreshing Bob Williams, Bob asked Stuart to return to add experience when his young squad hit a tough patch. Bob ultimately stood aside with Welton second from bottom and Stuart took over in his second spell as Manager. Whilst few people gave the Rovers any hope, Stuart slowly led Welton away from the foot of the table and to safety.

Indicating that he did not want to stay on in the long term, Chris Mountford was appointed at the end of that season and Stuart again stepped back.

Other projects took up Stuart's time, in particular, his affiliation with Purnell Sports Club, but at the beginning of the 2012–13 season, Stuart returned to Welton as First Team Manager following the departure of Nick Beaverstock. This was a tough assignment, as the club was struggling to adapt to life back in the First Division, following a disappointing relegation and whilst Stuart saw the season out, everyone knew that for a former Western League winner, this was a frustrating experience.

However, quitting is not part of Stuart Minall's vocabulary and instead of leaving the club, he set about identifying the people he thought he could work with to lead the club forward. Stuart became Chairman and then sought about securing the return of Nick Beaverstock, followed by a number of new Directors, including the return of Stuart Rogers. In addition, former First Team Manager, Malcolm Beck, returned as Assistant Manager. Since then, Stuart has thrown himself into the Welton cause and has some new objectives – Premier Division football for the Rovers, a new stand, refurbished changing rooms, an improved clubhouse, new floodlights and a much-improved social club scene, making profits to be invested in the future of Welton Rovers. Given everything that Stuart Minall has achieved in football, no-one would be surprised if Stuart and his new off-the- field team get what they want!