Behind every thriving local football club is someone who turns up not for the glory, but because they genuinely care. For Sam Ralph, Agency Express (Nottingham), that commitment is embodied every week at Dunkirk FC, a club where he volunteers his time, energy and passion to make a real difference on and off the pitch.

Sam has been immersed in football for over three decades, playing, coaching and managing at clubs across the region. For the past two seasons, he has taken the helm as manager of Dunkirk FC’s Men’s First Team, but his contribution stretches far beyond match day tactics.

At the heart of Sam’s work is a drive to keep grassroots football accessible. He plays an active role in fundraising to ensure the club can deliver coaching sessions and competitive fixtures for every age group, from the youngest Under-7s just finding their feet, right through to the senior men’s squad he manages himself. The impact on the local community is huge and it relies entirely on volunteers like Sam to function.

He has also rolled up his sleeves as part of community work groups, helping to improve facilities both at Dunkirk FC and in the surrounding area, creating spaces that the whole community can benefit from, not just those in football boots.

Perhaps most meaningfully, Sam has championed men’s mental health by facilitating guest speaker workshops and group sessions at the club. In a sport where men so often suppress their struggles, these initiatives are quietly transformative. It’s a reminder that business success and community service aren’t separate pursuits. Sam Ralphs shows that the most impactful leaders invest in their communities just as much as their careers.