Blyth Spartans Issue A Statement Requesting Financial Help From The People Of Blyth.
The board of Blyth Spartans AFC issued a statement on the 20th of February in which they asked for donations from supporters of the 125 year old club to help ensure the clubs immediate future. Read the full statement below.
Blyth Spartans AFC have launched a crowd funding appeal to help secure the immediate future of the club.
The club stands at a crucial crossroads and we're raising funds to secure the future of this historic Club. With a rich history and deep community roots, the club faces financial challenges that threaten its existence.
It is now just over three months since majority ownership of Blyth Spartans AFC was transferred over to the Community Interest Company (CIC) established for the purpose of safeguarding the existence of the club on behalf of supporters and the wider community.
Prior to our establishment of the CIC there was a real prospect of the club entering administration, and possibly even worse, liquidation. We, as a Community, came together to rescue the Club but now we face a new challenge as now we have a much clearer picture of the financial position of the club. What has become clear is that it is not sustainable.
In addition to the support shown by the Fans and local businesses in the form of sponsorship, members of the CIC have taken up the shortfall to pay wages over the last 3 months.
That is not sustainable, and we need urgently to close the gap between income and expenditure. We want to develop a five-year plan to rebuild this club and restore it, sustainably to former glories. We will do that, and we will involve the supporters and the community in the process of shaping what the future looks like, but first, we must survive!
With your support, we can preserve this historic club and ensure it continues to bring lasting benefits for generations to come.
If you would like to make a donation, a link to the GoFund me page can be found here.
As of 10:30 am on Friday the 21st of Feb the total raised stood at £4,687. The club target is £25,000, so there is a way to go.
It's no secret that the club is in dire straights at the moment, having suffered relegation on the last day of last season from the Conference North, they are now more or less certain to face a successive relegation this season, sitting at the foot of the table with a huge points deficit to make up.
They aren't the first football club to find themselves in this position and they certainly wont be the last. Non league football is notorious for clubs struggling to balance the books. The club was of course taken over last year by a community led group - The CIC or Community Interest Company, who have made it clear how difficult the road ahead will be.
Not surprisingly, the attendances at home games this season have been low, but, if we want to preserve 125 years of rich footballing history, then we have to come together as a town and the best way to do that is go along to the games. Buy a shirt or a pen from the club shop, maybe a shandy in the club bar at half time.
Tickets for home games can be purchased on the club website.
Our Football club needs us and if we abandon it now then we will loose it. It's that simple.