The Heart of Eversley Rangers: Meet the Remarkable Mac

His name is Malcolm Berks, but to everyone who knows him, he’s simply Mac.

And Mac’s story is one of incredible commitment to Eversley Rangers Juniors FC, a club established in 1977.

For almost half a century, Mac has been at the heart of the club, helping to keep it going for generation after generation of local children.

Sadly, the two men who previously ran the club, Tony Sells and Ron Kane, have both passed away. Mac has continued to keep the club going, carrying on the work and memories of those who came before him.

His two sons, Lee and Lloyd, have also grown up around the club, spending practically every weekend there and becoming part of its incredible history.

Over the years, Eversley Rangers has seen some remarkable people pass through its doors.

One of those was John Salako, who went on to play for Crystal Palace and represent England. Mac remembers him from his younger days at the club, while his son Lee also played in the same team.

And there was even a time when Gareth Southgate was handing out trophies at the club.

Mac remembers giving him a little extra encouragement afterwards — in the form of a bottle of Scotch!

Mac is still involved with teams at Eversley Rangers today, at the age of 83.

Mac is deeply saddened by the condition of the club's pavilion and facilities.

For years, he says promises have been made about improvements from the council, but the building has been allowed to deteriorate.

The changing rooms have suffered from serious problems, including mould and a lack of basic facilities. There have been issues with the boiler and hot water, while the lighting is old fluorescent lighting for which replacement bulbs are becoming increasingly difficult to find.

Incredibly, Mac says the club has only recently had its hot water restored after around eight years of asking

For a man who has spent almost his entire adult life giving his time to this club, seeing the building he loves fall into disrepair is clearly heartbreaking.

It's where generations of children have changed, trained, laughed, celebrated and created memories.

At times, the local community has even had to come together to help maintain the pitches.

Mac has taken matters into his own hands too, including painting the outside of the pavilion himself.

He would love to see the facilities brought back to a standard that the children, volunteers and families who use Eversley Rangers deserve.

And ultimately, he wants to know that the club he has given so much of his life to has a future.

Mac has taken the club as far as the Surrey Combination League and, at one point, they were even within touching distance of being able to compete in the FA Cup.

But a lack of facilities made that impossible.

Despite the difficulties, Mac has never walked away.

In 2023, he received a Surrey FA Long Service Award, recognising his incredible 35 years of service to Eversley Rangers.

And now he's approaching 50 years connected with the club.

But football isn't the only thing Mac has dedicated his life to.

He is still working full-time as a builder through his own company, Manor Builders, a business that has been running for around 60 years.

At 83, most people would have slowed down.

Mac clearly hasn't got the memo!

Behind the football, the building and the community work is another story.

Mac sadly lost his beloved wife to cancer five years ago.

They had met when they were just 14 years old and were childhood sweethearts.

Mac looks back fondly on those early years, particularly the old public halls where couples would go dancing and some of the biggest names in entertainment would perform.

Places such as Stanley Hall and Warrington Public Hall in South Norwood hold many special memories for him.

And perhaps that's why Mac never stopped dancing.

Today, at the grand age of 83, he still loves getting on the dance floor.

He regularly heads to Benidorm, Spain, where his high-energy dancing has even turned him into something of a TikTok sensation, attracting hundreds of thousands of views.

He's also become a well-known character in local pubs and bars, including places such as the New Inn and Beaverwood.

And perhaps there's a lesson in that too:

Keep living. Keep laughing. Keep dancing.

When Mac talks about his life, it's not the trophies or achievements that seem to matter most.

It's the little memories.

One of his favourites goes back to a game where his team were losing 18–0.

One young player was sitting there eating a piece of crusty toast when he turned to Mac and said:

“Never mind, Mac. We'll get them in the second leg.”

That sums up the spirit of grassroots football perfectly.

Then there was another young boy who arrived at the club incredibly shy.

In his first year, he wouldn't even go near the ball.

The second year, he began to grow in confidence.

Then, in his third year, something incredible happened.

He scored his first goal.

For Mac, it was one of those priceless moments that you never forget.

He gave the young player a club mug to remember the occasion.

It wasn't worth a fortune.

But to that child — and to Mac — it was priceless.

Because that's what people like Mac create.

Memories.

Eversley Rangers has always tried to keep football affordable and accessible.

It currently costs just £150 a year per child, including a kit, with the club able to keep prices down through local sponsorship and people who believe in what Mac and the club are doing.

There are also no trials, because the philosophy is simple:

Everyone should have the opportunity to play.

The pitches are also available for hire when not being used by the club.

And this is where the community could potentially play a part.

Mac has spent decades giving his time to the club.

AND THERE'S STILL TIME FOR ROMANCE...

And just when you think Mac's story couldn't get any better, there's another chapter.

After losing his beloved wife, Mac eventually found companionship again with a lady he met in Benidorm.

Because that's Mac.

At 83, he's still working, still involved in football, still supporting his community, still dancing and still enjoying life.

He has spent almost half a century giving his time to children and families in the local community.

And perhaps his greatest lesson is a simple one:

Give when you can. Help when you can. Make memories. And never stop living.

Mac isn't just the chairman of a football club.

He's part of the history of Eversley Rangers.

He's part of the history of the community.

friendships are made and memories last a lifetime.