Tunbridge Wells need £20,000 to help secure the future of the club as they go seven months without home game revenue

Tunbridge Wells of the Southern Counties East Football League Premier Division have launched an online appeal to raise at least £20,000 to help sure their future during this football suspension.

“Dear Friends of Tunbridge Wells Football Club

We don’t need to tell you that we are living in unprecedented times.  The effects of the coronavirus pandemic have quickly reached far and wide.  

Of course, our thoughts are first and foremost with all of those who have been impacted by this awful virus.  We hope that all of our players, members, volunteers, supporters and committee remain safe and healthy.  The same is true for our wider footballing family.

Tunbridge Wells Football Club isn’t immune from the knock-on effects of the virus and unfortunately this has only exacerbated what was already a difficult situation.  

An extended period of inclement weather (including the wettest February on record) has meant that the football club hasn’t played a Saturday home fixture in 2020 and our last home game of any kind was Tuesday 7th January.

The club is reliant on four key revenue streams: Gate receipts, the clubhouse bar, sponsorship and a contribution from our Junior Club.  All of these are incredibly important but by far the largest of these is the revenues from the match-day gate and bar.  

To be without these sources of cash flow for nearly two and a half months has been incredibly challenging.

We had hoped that a good run of home games in March would bring a much-needed boost to the club finances.  

Despite a generous donation to the football club from the Independent Supporters Trust (TWIST), the announcement of the suspension of SCEFL fixtures for what may be an extended period means the club is now facing an existential threat.

As it stands, the club faces the very real prospect of having no match-day revenues for seven months; January to July (the hosting of our first pre-season friendlies).  This is unsustainable.

It is for this reason that the Board of Directors have taken the decision to launch a crowdfunding appeal.  Our fundraising target is £20,000.  This would help to replace the anticipated revenues which would have been generated by:

- the remaining 12 home league and cup fixtures

- the hosting of end-of-season cup finals at the Culverden

- music event Party on the Pitch

all of which we must assume from a worst-case planning basis will now not be taking place.

We understand that this is a big ask.

We are incredibly fortunate to be a well-supported club.  From the hundreds who watch us on a Saturday, to the thousands who cheered us on at Wembley, it is to you that we turn for help in securing the future of the club until the beginning of the new season and beyond.  Any donation, large or small, would be gratefully received.

We sincerely wish we didn’t need to do this. The future of the club is in your hands. We need your help.

Thank you for whatever assistance you can offer.  

Tunbridge Wells Football Club”

Visit Tunbridge Wells' website: www.tunbridgewellsfc.com

To donate visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/tunbridge-wells-football-club?utm_medium=copy_link&utm_source=customer&utm_campaign=p_lico+share-sheetv