Deaks chats to Chelmsford City FC Chairman, Spencer Gore

Local entrepreneur Spencer Gore, founder of a number of successful businesses including the medical journals EMJ and AMJ acquired a majority shareholding in Chelmsford City Football Club (CCFC) in July 2024. A lifelong City fan, Spencer now finds himself in the role of club chairman and has made no secrets of his ambitions for the club setting a clear target of achieving English Football League status as soon as possible.

Deaks chatted with Spencer a little over a year into his tenure.

Deaks: You’re described as a ‘serial entrepreneur’ and you’ve launched a number of thriving profitable businesses across various sectors. Tell us a little about your background and how it equipped you for success in business.

Spencer: I didn’t get on with school, I left with few qualifications and worked in a pub for 6 months before joining an insurance broker for a while. I decided I needed to obtain my ‘A’ levels and I went back to studying at Chelmsford College and then going on to university for 4 years before leaving without a degree. However, what I did gain from university was a passion for sport and during my time there I was club captain in various sports and in particular football. This turned out to be a good thing for me. I took a couple of jobs upon leaving university and in 2007 I set up my first company just after we had our daughter. Five years later I set up EMJ.

Deaks: Publishing is obviously one of the main sectors in which you’ve seen success. Still, you must be awe of ‘Over the Edge’! Can you give us any tips for growing the magazine?

Spencer: I don’t generally like to give tips but I would say the secret formula is always hard work. I am working full time because I enjoy what I do. I would also say always surround yourself with people who are aligned with your values. I think the most important thing is to enjoy what you do.

Deaks: Why Chelmsford City? Tell us a little about your following of the club and how you got involved.

Spencer: I grew up in Boreham so once I decided I wanted to own a football club it had to be Chelmsford City. Once I’d achieved my goals with EMJ I thought about what I wanted to do personally. I was too old to play professional football, probably not good enough either, so my ambition became to own a football club. I tried to buy the club four years ago and previously I had opportunities to buy Southend United and Eastbourne.

Deaks: With your senior roles in a number of businesses how do you find the time and energy to take on the burden that comes with being Chairman of CCFC? How do you manage to juggle the EMJ, AMJ and CCFC balls?

Spencer: I’m a workaholic and that certainly helps! I’m also lucky to be surrounded by good people and they share the burden of running the companies that I’m involved in. This allows me to get involved in growing new businesses which is what I really enjoy.

Deaks: Do you think you’ll ever make any money from CCFC or is it a ‘hobby investment’ and a case of ‘Heart over Head’?

Spencer: I’m certainly not doing it to make money and I wouldn’t describe owning Chelmsford City as a hobby. I’m very passionate about the club and if we can achieve our goals then yes I would expect the value of the club to increase but not before I’ve invested significant money in the club.

Deaks: What’s your vision for CCFC? Where, realistically, do you see the club in five years from now?

Spencer: We have a very clear plan that sets out to achieve promotion to the National League within 2 years, promotion to the Football League within 5 years and to be playing in the Premier League by 2038 which is the club’s centenary year.

Deaks: Do you see yourself following the path of Wrexham AFC?

Spencer: Certainly not! I’m not a Hollywood A lister and I do not have friends that are Hollywood A listers! Maybe a similar path but by different means.

Deaks: It’s been a big step taking the playing staff to full-time basis. What have been the main criteria for player recruitment?

Spencer: We’ve effectively signed a whole new squad. Only two players from last season remain and our manager, Angelo Harrop, has brought in 16/17 new players. Essentially, I provided a budget to Angelo and he brought in the players that he wanted. We identified that the players we brought in had to be fit and dynamic. Lyle Taylor was the final piece of the jigsaw that we wanted. He was top scorer with Colchester United last season.

Deaks: In business it’s your stated aim to ‘create gold medal winners.’ What does Angelo Harrop have to achieve to win a gold medal?

Spencer: Achieving the goals in the business plan would certainly win him a gold medal but ultimately, I always want people to be the best version of themselves. This might be getting Chelmsford City successive promotions but it also falls to me to give Angelo the tools that he needs.

Deaks: It’s been an absolute pleasure talking to you Spencer and as a lifelong follower of Chelmsford City Football Club you’re a breath of fresh air and I’ll be supporting the club from the club house, I mean from the terrace! Good luck to The Clarets.