Adders Sponsors Withdraw Support
Tuesday, November 3rd, 2009 by Geoff Wilding
This hard-hitting statement has been issued by Adrian Burr who has taken the decision to step down as chairman of Atherstone Town Football Club.
“Following much recent speculation, I feel that it is important that all of the club’s loyal supporters fully understand the financial status of the football club.
At present we are virtually debt free as a club, a situation only made possible due to the financial backing of Springbourne Homes Ltd who over the past 18 months have subsidised the club to the tune of £75,000.
The current global recession has not bypassed the world of non league football, nor Atherstone Town F.C 2004 Ltd.
To date we have not generated any substantial sponsorship this season, despite the best efforts of many officials at the club. Companies and local firms have neither the appetite nor budgets to give sponsorship to the lower reaches of the footballing pyramid.
Unfortunately we were eliminated from the main money-generating FA competitions at the first hurdles.
A small cup run has just generated Bedworth United £19,000 which I am certain will come in very handy as their directors seek to navigate these difficult financial times.
Our principle income is our home gates which generate, on average, around £700 every other week.
This allied to the bar and refreshments sales within the ground, give us a grand total of about £1,000 per fortnight to play with.
Ancillary expenses, such as electricity and utilities, Council Tax, coach travel for away games, ground maintenance easily add up to £2,000 per month during the season.
You are no doubt reading this and totalling up the basic costs of running and operating our club at this level of football. I am certain that you will not need to be a qualified accountant to realise that the figures simply do not balance.
The involvement of the Springbourne Group at the club was no secret coup, and their directors have been totally transparent in the dealings they have had with both our club and the council. Throughout their involvement the express intention at all times has been to act as the club’s development partner in achieving a much-needed ground move for the Adders.
They have spent 18 months trying to get the council to engage with them to forge a development programme for both the existing ground at Sheepy Road, and a new community based facility which meets the needs of the club and the wider community in providing a quality arena for future generations in North Warwickshire.
To date the professional council officers and locally elected politicians have failed to move this process forward in any constructive way.
For this reason the directors of the Springbourne Group have withdrawn their sponsorship of the club until the North Warwickshire Borough Council demonstrate a willingness to help the club and the wider community achieve these much needed new facilities.
Where does this leave the club I hear you asking?
I have taken the decision to step down as chairman of the football Club, retaining a position on the board of directors. In the coming weeks I hope to appoint a number of new directors from within the ranks of the club to guide the Adders forward operating within the constraints of the financial circumstances in which we find ourselves at present.
This will mean cuts to the operating budgets of the club unless new sponsorships are secured in the interim.
What is essential is that the club learns to live within its means and operates with a debt free ethos.
I am certain that when the North Warwickshire Borough Council feel that the time is right to work with the club in the future, the directors of Springbourne will once again lend their professional advice to help achieve our joint ambitions for the club.
What is really important now is that the club survives. Manager Daren Fulford and his team are working under very difficult circumstances to maintain Southern League football at Sheepy Road.
Youth is the only answer when money and sponsorship are in very short supply. I hope you will agree with me that we are certainly on the right track as our youth policy continues to pay dividends.
Remember, it’s the easiest job in the world to criticise from the sidelines, but we all need to roll up our sleeves and actually make a positive contribution to life at the Adders. There are no sugar daddies out there at present and if you love this football club, join me and all the other dedicated volunteers to try to make that difference.
Up the Adders!”
Aidey Burr.
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Geoff Wilding November 4th, 2009 at 10:14 am
Council Officials have issued the following statement regading allegations made in the Adders statement
Statement regarding Atherstone Town Football Club
In response to Mr Burr’s statement, officers from the Borough Council have met with Mr Burr on a number of occasions. The facts are that the Borough Council owns the ground, which the Football Club uses. We have allowed the present Club to use the ground rent-free since 2004 following the bankruptcy of the previous Club and until such time as we required the land for development purposes. The leasing arrangement means the Council has to give 6 – 12 months notice for the club to leave the ground.
The last meeting with Mr Burr was in July 2009. Officers advised Mr Burr about potential sites to relocate the club and Mr Burr presented proposals about his vision of the new football ground and a surrounding development and proposals for development at the present ground.
The Borough Council had not sought proposals for development of the existing site from Mr Burr but he also referred to this when he wrote to the Council in October this year. He then stated that Springbourne Homes Ltd held over 90% of the shares in the Club and gave outline ideas for development of the existing ground. He asked the Council to work with the Club to create an effective use of the existing ground.
The Borough Council is not in a position to give public money to support the Club. Nor are there any current plans to redevelop the ground, which is a public asset. In the present economic climate, we are not considering selling sites of this significance for development and will not be pressurised into restricting our future options
Mick Thomas November 4th, 2009 at 1:47 pm
I rarely respond to letters in the newspaper or to email articles, but feel moved to respond to this news item as I can see a parallel within my own sport of Hockey.
I totally empathise with the frustration that is felt by the football Club.
Atherstone Adders Hockey Club is desperate for a pitch to play and train on, and we have to travel to Earl Shilton in order to play our league matches. A round trip of over 20 miles for most players based in Atherstone.
The Hockey Club is currently balancing on a knife edge and on the fringe of extinction. We find it almost impossible to attract players who can go and play for our local rivals, Tamworth or Nuneaton who have suitable playing facilities on their doorstep.
The local Council will not engage with ourselves or the local school in a meaningful way as we both strive to develop suitable playing facilities i.e. an astroturf pitch. The idea of a community based playing facility certainly appeals to us. If only less money was spent on feasibility studies and more on providing facilities that would be a step forward.
In the meantime while the council tread water, the Adders Hockey Club consisting of two Men’s sides a Women’s side and a junior section look like they are going to fold.
So much for developing sport and leisure opportunities in North Warwickshire….
Come on let’s do something about it or this town will lose all its sporting teams!
Richard Stevenson November 5th, 2009 at 9:17 am
I know how Mick feels as the council have done nothing to help any of the local sport teams.
The hockey sides currently play at Earl Shilton which is ridiculous and youngsters will not be able to play for the towns team having to get lifts and travel that distance for matches and training.
Also the local football and rugby team both play on ground that is owned by the council. The rugby team looked to buy their pitch but the council refused. The rugby side would have a better financial footing if they had their own ground and clubhouse as money behind the bar would go stright to the team. The same with the football team they are looking to move to new premises and better facilities but would you know it the council have done nothing.
People may say not many people go to watch the football/rugby/hockey teams but if you gave them a new stadium with seating for even just 1,000 if that then you will find people will come as one reason people turn away is that they do not want to stand in the rain and cold.
A good idea would be to build a ground that could house the local football and rugby team which would be more financially viable. Also a hockey pitch would not be the hardest thing to have here as well. With youngsters not having much to do around here then with these facilities they could go to training for one of the sports and get them off the street and get them doing something more productive.
Mr Bloggs November 13th, 2009 at 7:42 am
Typical council not willing to help out it’s local community, the town is getting worse each year that passes, shops closing down, kids on the streets. Lets look at the other areas, Tamworth, alot to do for all, council spend the money well, always looks good, I think the council should stop making excuses and start listeneing to people, if they (council) are saying that money is tight then they should learn to save on their electricity bills, the lights are always left on within the council buildings, next time you drive by in the dark you will see what i mean…Atherstone council get real!!!!!!
Geoff Wilding November 15th, 2009 at 10:29 am
Ok , sport is good! But I for one do not participate in any sport and I suspect neither does the majority of the population.
Why then should my council tax money go to these minority interests ?
On the other hand I do support the provision of more general facilities for youngsters.
Mick Thomas November 23rd, 2009 at 8:33 am
Geoff, It’s much more than participation – the impact that a successful sports club can have on a community is important as well. It fosters pride and within the community and generates interest beyond the town boundaries. That is turn can stimulate business and local industry, shops etc…. and the Town really needs that!!
Also, youngsters need something to aspire towards and successful sporting Clubs can provide a focus for their energy.
The local school is now entitled ‘Queen Elizabeth School & Sports College’ – they are looking to build an astro turf pitch on site and have identified funding from the school budget. They still need to access grants and other funding sources in order to fund their project, but once again have little or no support from the local council.