Totally forgot to post about Leek Town's survival in the Unibond Premier League for the 2007/08 season and after last season its truely deserved.
I cannot say the same for Scarborough though, they went out of business yesterday and will need to start from the bottom of the pyramid and it is understandable but it does annoy me that grass roots football is being neglected for the glamour entertainment form that brings in cash. £50m per club for the TV deal would probably give financial security to every team in the non-league!
I am on my penultimate day of my work ex placement at my local radio placement. It was supposed to be 4th to 15th June but I got an extra week (to the 22nd) so I must be doing something right! The news experience as been valuable and improved my skills no end, hope it leads to some kind of job somewhere next summer.
It was one hundred days yesterday that Alan Johnstan was abducted and it is approaching 50 days since Madeline McCann was taken - just hope both are safe and well. On that point, can you believe Mr McCann had his wallet pick-pocketed on his return home? Just return the photos of his daughter has to be the message - the sentimental value is massive
I have a paid job for part of the summer anyways, it might not be pretty but its decent hours and decent pay so it will pad my wallet ready for my third year at Uni and it takes up time that I would be doing nothing otherwise.
Finally, I think I will get my results tomorrow from my 2nd year at Uni, except for the NCTJ law exam which I will get later on. I'm fairly confident I have passed everything, but by how much is the bigger question and has me slightly worried. Judging by previous results it looks like a low 2:1 or a high 2:2 and I'll be reasonably happy with that. Just have to wait and see what tomorrow brings though...wish me luck!
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Saturday, June 02, 2007
21st June 2007
Firstly, I am posting this on the day that I am leaving my Uni accommodation on my 2nd year (argh!) so that means my 2nd year (barring a complete failure in my results...) is now over and that I can concentrate on shorthand etc for my third (and final :( ) year at University = now that is scary to think, 2 years done only 1 to go then I will be out there in the big wide world.
Anyways, to business:
Despite having secured its UniBond Premier League status, Leek Town FC is again facing financial uncertainty if sufficient funds cannot be found to start the forthcoming football season. At a recent board meeting, long and hard discussions took place to establish whether the club could survive a full season given realistic projections of income and expenditure. A budget was presented which was clearly insufficient to meet the costs of running a club at this level of football. Over many years, the club has received valued support from local people and businesses which has enabled it to continue providing football at UniBond level. Last year, an Inland Revenue winding up order was averted thanks to a generous donation which also helped the club to start the 2006-7season and pay off other debts. As a result, it is without significant debt and in this respect, is in a stronger position than many other non-league clubs. However, it has insufficient money to start the new season and assured income for the forthcoming year is simply inadequate to meet the costs of running and maintaining the stadium and paying players’ wages. The supporters and other local people interested in football deserve a club of Leek Town’s standing but sadly, there is real danger that the club will cease to exist if a solution cannot be found. This is not an appeal to our supporters as they helped by pledging and donating money twice in the last few years and we cannot expect more from them. There needs to be long-term financial support at a substantial level. There will be further meetings of the board to decide how to deal with these problems and a further statement will be made in due course.
This is the non-league team I follow and it really saddens me if by 21st June 2007 they have not found the money to survive they will have to administration or a winding up order and no football club deserves this. There could be a possible merger with Leek CSOB and I'm sure Leek Town fans will take anything to save their beloved club.
As a follower of Liverpool this signifies what is wrong with the "beautiful game", Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool etc splashing out so many millions for 1 player and the Championship play-off match being worth an est. £60m pounds for the winners yet we have local teams unable to keep going due to financial reasons. A figure that has been quoted (which may or may not be correct) to keep Leek Town alive for another season is 5k which in general is a lot but in the context of football it is pittance, a few beans to the pro clubs.
That is where the problem lies as local businesses/people are less reluctant to sponsor Leek when they can sponsor Stoke or Port Vale who are local and higher up = more advertising money.
Leek avoiding relegation last season and I was there to watch that match and the atmosphere, like in all 3 non league games I have been to (hoping to extend that...) has been excellent. It is a proper day out, a couple of quid to watch the beautiful game the way it should be played with passion, commitment and love not for around £100k a week.
This is hoping someone, somewhere can save Leek Town or my non-league fan days could be sadly numbered. Of course, Leek are not the only team in financial trouble Telford a few years ago, Scarborough, Farnborough and many more I suspect but I still hope to be posting something positive before June 21st about me going to watch a team in Leek, be it Leek Town or a merger with CSOB to form Leek United/Leek Athletic = whatever...just keep the club alive.
Anyways, to business:
Despite having secured its UniBond Premier League status, Leek Town FC is again facing financial uncertainty if sufficient funds cannot be found to start the forthcoming football season. At a recent board meeting, long and hard discussions took place to establish whether the club could survive a full season given realistic projections of income and expenditure. A budget was presented which was clearly insufficient to meet the costs of running a club at this level of football. Over many years, the club has received valued support from local people and businesses which has enabled it to continue providing football at UniBond level. Last year, an Inland Revenue winding up order was averted thanks to a generous donation which also helped the club to start the 2006-7season and pay off other debts. As a result, it is without significant debt and in this respect, is in a stronger position than many other non-league clubs. However, it has insufficient money to start the new season and assured income for the forthcoming year is simply inadequate to meet the costs of running and maintaining the stadium and paying players’ wages. The supporters and other local people interested in football deserve a club of Leek Town’s standing but sadly, there is real danger that the club will cease to exist if a solution cannot be found. This is not an appeal to our supporters as they helped by pledging and donating money twice in the last few years and we cannot expect more from them. There needs to be long-term financial support at a substantial level. There will be further meetings of the board to decide how to deal with these problems and a further statement will be made in due course.
This is the non-league team I follow and it really saddens me if by 21st June 2007 they have not found the money to survive they will have to administration or a winding up order and no football club deserves this. There could be a possible merger with Leek CSOB and I'm sure Leek Town fans will take anything to save their beloved club.
As a follower of Liverpool this signifies what is wrong with the "beautiful game", Chelsea, Man Utd, Liverpool etc splashing out so many millions for 1 player and the Championship play-off match being worth an est. £60m pounds for the winners yet we have local teams unable to keep going due to financial reasons. A figure that has been quoted (which may or may not be correct) to keep Leek Town alive for another season is 5k which in general is a lot but in the context of football it is pittance, a few beans to the pro clubs.
That is where the problem lies as local businesses/people are less reluctant to sponsor Leek when they can sponsor Stoke or Port Vale who are local and higher up = more advertising money.
Leek avoiding relegation last season and I was there to watch that match and the atmosphere, like in all 3 non league games I have been to (hoping to extend that...) has been excellent. It is a proper day out, a couple of quid to watch the beautiful game the way it should be played with passion, commitment and love not for around £100k a week.
This is hoping someone, somewhere can save Leek Town or my non-league fan days could be sadly numbered. Of course, Leek are not the only team in financial trouble Telford a few years ago, Scarborough, Farnborough and many more I suspect but I still hope to be posting something positive before June 21st about me going to watch a team in Leek, be it Leek Town or a merger with CSOB to form Leek United/Leek Athletic = whatever...just keep the club alive.
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