Kentish Football 
Magpies' fly in to help Bromley's cash-flow problems
Tuesday 28th December 2010
CASH-STRAPPED Bromley have swiftly re-arranged a game for this Thursday to soften the blow from not playing a game at Hayes Lane for eight weeks, writes Stephen McCartney.
The Lillywhites were due to face Maidenhead United a week before Christmas but the game was postponed due to a snow-bound pitch, but the two clubs agreed this afternoon to try again at Hayes Lane on Thursday, 30 December, kick-off at 7:45pm.
Bromley suffered another blow when their home game against Dover Athletic on Boxing Day was frozen off, and with a four-figure crowd expected for the Kent derby, this has seriously affected cash flow at the Hayes Lane club.
Owner Jerry Dolke issued a statement to the club’s official website - www.bromleyfc.net - to warn that the wintry weather was “crippling” the club financially.
“Losing our Boxing Day game was a massive blow to the Club, not only would it have seen one of our biggest crowds of the season but it also means that we will now have gone pretty much eight weeks without a home game,” said Mr Dolke.
“Financially this, combined with significant decreases in other revenue streams due to the terrible weather, has almost crippled the Club.
“The Saturday Morning Soccer School and After School Clubs have had to be cancelled, bar takings at functions have been greatly reduced due to less guests attending and a higher proportion of those choosing to drive, and we have had to cancel many of the bookings on the five and six a side courts.”
Mr Dolke added: “We started this season with a contingency fund in place to cover six weeks wages. Early exits in cup competitions left us unable to add to this pot of money and it has now almost exhausted. The players are owed a week’s wages and by the time the Bishop’s Stortford game comes around it will be two. We have a great group of lads at the Club but at this time of year I cannot honestly ask them to stay with us without being paid when they could be earning money elsewhere. I have a family so I know that it would not just be the players themselves who would be affected.
“As many of you know, we suffered a burglary at the beginning of the month. Extensive damage was done to both The Sports Bar and The Glemnet Suite as well as other parts of the ground and assorted items were stolen. Insurance claims are ongoing but in the meantime I have had to reach into my own pocket to pay for repairs, replacements, etc and so I cannot do so again to maintain the playing budget.
“What the Club desperately needs is a small injection of funds between now and the end of the year. I am therefore making a plea to all Bromley supporters for any fundraising suggestions that they may have. We do not need tens of thousands of pounds, we just need enough to see us through the next month or so without losing the great squad that we have worked so hard to assemble. Clearly of course, were we to be able to raise more money than is needed in the near future we would be able to use it to strengthen our bid to finish in the top five but that is not the immediate priority.”
Bromley informed all local press outlets to urge supporters to attend the hastily re-arranged Maidenhead fixture.
“With such a short time to make people aware of this fixture change, we would appreciate your support in spreading this message,” said assistant secretary Jeff Hutton.
“The game has been brought forward as a result of the club not having a home game for almost eight weeks.”
Mark Goldberg’s men will leapfrog over Braintree Town into top spot in Blue Square Bet South if they claim at least a point against the Magpies on Thursday, before they travel to Dover Athletic on New Year’s Day.
Martin Hayes’ Dover side secured a 4-0 win over Lewes at Crabble today and are in fourth place in the table, only three points behind Bromley, courtesy of two-goals apiece from Harry Baker and Adam Birchall.
www.kentishfootball.co.uk will be covering the Bromley v Maidenhead United game on Thursday night.
Visit Bromley’s website: www.bromleyfc.net
Bromley v Maidenhead United
Blue Square Bet South
Thursday 30th December 2010
Kick Off 7:45pm
At Hayes Lane, Bromley, Kent BR2 9EF
Red Dragon I.T. Ltd