COMMITTEE

If you're interested in joining the committee in any capacity, please contact: info@cambridgefutsal.club

Rich Knight

Vice Chair

Rich is our Vice Chair & Youth team coach and Academy lead. Currently working with the U11/U12/U13 age groups.

He coached grassroots at Isleham Utd in both the adult & youth sections.

He’s a big West Ham fan (like our Chair, Chris the “Hippy Hammer” on Twitter/X!) and states “they are massive everywhere they go!!!”

When not involved in coaching he is in training for his next Hyrox event (apparently!).

He runs his own sports injury clinic in Soham, Cambs.

Erol Opal

Head Coach

Erol is a level 2 qualified Futsal coach and previously coached the Women’s First Team & helped out with the Youth section. He has been involved in Futsal since 2018 and officially joined the club in 2022.
Erol most enjoys the intensity and the pace of the game and although he is now the wrong side of 40 he still loves to play as often as he can, injuries permitting.

In his professional life Erol makes computer games and interactive experiences at his company Hologram Software LTD.

Chris Horton

Treasurer Secretary & Media/Marketing

Chris is an FA Level 1 football and futsal coach. He is also the MC & Match Event Co-Ordinator for Cambridge Futsal Club. In parallel, Chris voluntarily runs a Friday Night adult recreational futsal session at Chesterton Sports Centre for men and women in Cambridge. Chris currently works part-time driving a school minibus for a Cambridge-based private school after retiring from the Police (Sergeant) with 26 years of exemplary service in his local force. His greatest achievement is arguably having appeared on Blue Peter (as well as many other things which he will bore you about if you have the time!).

Chris is known on Twitter as @HippyHammer (in homage to his beloved West Ham United, having lived in Canning Town as a child in the late 60/70’s). He is not afraid to speak his mind or offer an opinion, ideas or suggestions without fear or favour. Until recently he was the Welfare Officer & a Director of the National Futsal League CIC (now LNFS England) but retired from this post to help concentrate on growing interest & participation in futsal in Cambridgeshire via his Chairmanship of Cambridge Futsal Club. He is committed to developing an open, inclusive, enjoyable and member-led & supported local futsal club with close links to the community & businesses it serves. Chris is most interested in continuously working to grow the popularity of the game of futsal across England.

Emma Knight

Welfare & Safeguarding Officer

My name is Emma & my job is to promote wellbeing and safeguarding in local schools.
On the sports front, I'm an avid Liverpool fan. I grew up in a scouse household and was very lucky to go to games regularly with my Dad.

I also take great pride in watching my son, Max, pursue his futsal journey. It's been incredible watching him grow and develop his skills in this exciting sport.