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.