After 7 astonishing years being the club's Media Manager, Rob Lilley will be stepping away from his media duties to focus on other roles within the club and personal life.

We at Catholic United would like to express our sincere thanks to Rob for his outstanding service to our Media Department. His incredible dedication and creative work have helped shape our media presence into one of the most recognisable among non-league clubs. From matchday photography to viral social media moments, Rob has consistently delivered excellence.

New Media Manager Zander Noe sat down with Rob for a brief Q&A to reflect on his time in the role and his thoughts as he steps aside.

Zander began by asking:
Q: What made you first take on the role of Media Manager at Catholic United?
Rob: I left Wakering Sports due to a hectic workload in my day-to-day job. When things settled after 3–4 months, I noticed a few friends from Great Wakering Rovers were playing for Catholic, back when we were at Bowers & Pitsea’s ground. I popped down to watch a few games, and I think it was Trenks who suggested I bring my camera. I started taking some match photos, then gradually took on more media duties—which the committee approved. The work was very similar to what I’d done at previous clubs.

Zander then asked:
Q: What were some of the biggest challenges you faced during your time in the role?
Rob: The biggest challenge actually turned out to be one of the best. After the CCV (Cameron Carter-Vickers) transfer to Celtic and that post on Twitter showing him in a Catholic United Minors kit, our Twitter went absolutely mad. For four straight days, we were flooded with messages and love from Celtic fans. I think I got about 12 hours of sleep total during that stretch! But the kindness and support shown made it all worth it.

Zander continued:
Q: How has the club’s media presence grown or changed since you started?
Rob: Massively. Beyond the CCV moment, I think our overall professionalism grew. We went from basic imagery and no real branding to having an actual identity online. The growth has been incredible—our Twitter followers jumped from under 3,000 to over 28,000, and Facebook from about 400 to over 5,000. The Celtic fanbase has been a huge part of that, and they’ve been absolutely wonderful throughout.

Zander asked Rob to reflect on personal moments:
Q: Are there any specific games, goals, or off-pitch moments that stand out to you?
Rob: One that stands out was our away game at Sungate, shortly after my father passed away. I attended, but my mind was elsewhere. After the match, Simon brought me into the post-match huddle. That small gesture meant the world to me.

Zander followed up with another personal question:
Q: Was there a particular piece of content or moment that meant the most to you personally?
Rob: The post featuring Cameron Carter-Vickers in his Catholic United Minors kit. It ended up trending on Twitter for a short time—I still have the screenshot somewhere! Outside of that, I also got to photograph Teddy Sheringham at the Justin Edinburgh Charity Match. That was a special moment for me personally.

Zander asked about the uniqueness of the club:
Q: What makes Catholic United a unique club to cover and promote?
Rob: The community feel around Leigh-on-Sea, and of course, the iconic kit. At Len Forge, you often hear people asking, “What’s the Catholic score?”—not who’s playing! But most of all, our connection to the Celtic family makes us unique. Seeing our kits worn at Celtic Park, getting well wishes from Celtic fans—it’s something truly special. They’re the best supporters in the world.

Zander then turned to Rob’s reasons for stepping down:
Q: Why is now the right time for you to step back from the role?
Rob: After seven years, my new role last year made it harder to stay on top of everything—from the matchday programme to the website. That, plus launching my podcast in July, meant something had to give. I talked it through with my wife, and although it was a hard decision, I knew stepping back was the right one. At least if the podcast slips, it’s only me affected—not the club.

Zander asked for advice for the next Media Manager:
Q: What advice would you give to your successor?
Rob: Take your time and don’t try to do everything at once. Media management is all about being organised. If you’re not managing your time well, things start slipping through the cracks. It’s tough as a volunteer, but try to stick to a routine or schedule that works for you.

Zander then asked about Rob’s ongoing involvement:
Q: Will we still see you involved around the club in other ways?
Rob: Definitely—I’m not going anywhere. I’ll continue supporting Tom and will promote the Essex Bhoys when I can. I’m happy to be staying involved in the background.

And finally, Zander gave Rob the chance to address everyone one last time:
Q: Is there anything you’d like to say to the players, coaches, or supporters?
Rob: To the players—thank you for supporting me while I supported you. You’ve always been helpful and responsive. To the supporters, near and far, I’ve loved interacting with you over the years. I still hope to make it to Celtic Park soon, hopefully this year. Like I said, I’m not disappearing—just stepping away from the front lines.

Thank you, Rob