Richard Gale, MD of Gale Homes and Investments Ltd, became a director of Poole Town FC in 2017. The following year he was elected as Vice Chairman of the Board and during a troubled spell for the Club either side of Covid became the majority shareholder for several years following significant investment, both personally and through GH&I, to keep the Club afloat and to improve its facilities. GH&I remain a significant shareholder in the Club. Although now retired from the Board, Richard is still very much involved in promoting the Club within the local community and engaging with new fans, young and old, as the Club’s Kids and Community Officer. He started the Kids Initiative in 2018 with the objective of encouraging and enabling children to get enjoy the fun of football, especially those facing financial, emotional or physical hardship.