Fleet Trust to support club on weekly basis

Tuesday 26th January 2010

STRUGGLING Ebbsfleet United have issued the following statement to ask for financial support from the Fleet Trust to help the Blue Square Premier club on a weekly basis, writes Stephen McCartney.

The Fleet climbed out of the Blue Square Premier relegation zone at the weekend, as Leon Crooks’ dramatic last-gasp winner clinched a 4-3 home win over fellow strugglers Forest Green Rovers.

But the Stonebridge Road club are concerned about the predicted loss of members through MyFC next month, and are acting now to raise the funds that are needed to help get them through the rest of the season.

After attracting a crowd of 2,002 against AFC Wimbledon back in September, the club have failed to attract a four-figure crowd in any of their last ten games since then, and that is taking a strain on club’s finances, especially considering Ebbsfleet United are a full-time football club.

“All Fleet fans reading this must be aware, albeit perhaps not of specifics, but certainly in general, of the tight financial position the Club finds itself in at present, as a result of the decline in MyFC’s membership and the falling home attendances of late,” said the club statement, issued on www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk.

“Furthermore, with the danger of further drops in the former when renewals for most come around next month, and, despite a great improvement in form over the last couple of months, relegation remaining a distinct threat, these problems may well soon become even more marked.

“In light of this, whereas previously money earned for the Club by the Fleet Trust was predominantly saved and transferred over at a later date as and when required for specific projects, the Trust committee has proposed and agreed to directly pass on all money it makes for the Club from now on, on a weekly basis.

“It has also been agreed that these amounts should be published weekly, so fans can see directly the immediate benefits that their purchasing of golden goal and Christmas Draw tickets, paying for Trust membership and support of any other Trust activities will bring to the Club.

“Furthermore, anyone who would like to donate one-off amounts through the Trust can do so either in the Club shop or Trust hut, and these will be included in the weekly total.

“In these trying times, the Club needs and values your support more than ever. It’s your Club; moments like Saturday’s joyous last-minute winner should provide all the motivation fans need to do what they can to sustain it, and your Trust intends to do all it can to help facilitate this.”

Article courtesy of www.ebbsfleetunited.co.uk