Government is difficult. In any sphere. However, it has to be said that the handling of the current COVID-19 has been far from satisfactory. The constant indecision, rule changes and lockdown gradings are causing chaos throughout Britain. When a senior police officer admitted today that even he doesn’t know the rules, we know that the country is in a mess!
However, we must battle on and whilst hoping for the best we must prepare for the worst. The stadium has been inspected and re-inspected by the local council in the last 10 days. We were complimented on the measures taken to ensure as safe an environment as possible. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of the COVID Committee that we have done all that is possible under the current circumstances. The board wish to thank all those involved for the tremendous effort in achieving this.
A number of fixtures have already been affected by the pandemic. There is a backlog of fixtures in an already compressed season. I have written to the Northern Premier League to confirm that Witton Albion FC will want to continue playing games for as long as is feasible. There are a number of options if the league decide to suspend fixtures. I will not go into those at this stage, as there are a number of permutations based on when any such suspension takes place.
On the pitch, after a wobbly first week, we have been excellent. Four wins out of five has propelled us to fourth in the league. Starting to look miserly defensively, we have pace and goals in attack. A good combination!
Carl Macauley and Gary Martindale celebrated five years at the helm on Monday. This makes them the longest serving management team, not only in the division, but in the entire league! My sincere thanks to both of them. I have been delighted with the way they have recruited and conducted themselves. We are lucky to have them. I believe that this squad has the ability and depth to compete strongly this season. The key to sustaining matters, however, lies with the supporters who make this club what it is.
A year ago. our financial position was dire. I appealed to you then. We prevailed. I am now appealing to you again. A combination of new income streams and generous donations got us out of the hole. Our Social Club, expertly managed by Jackie Beasant and her staff, was a key factor. Sadly, this area has hit the buffers! We have no functions booked currently and for obvious reasons. Table service and restricted numbers mean more staff catering for less custom. This hits cash flow and hence profit is naturally reduced. Please use the facility as much as possible.
I have taken the step to serve notice of cancellation on Sky and BT Sport. These arrangements can be rekindled when we are stronger. We have to cut our cloth accordingly.
The National League Clubs have been given financial assistance from the National Lottery, varying from £30,000 to £95,000 per month for three months. This will be reviewed. By contrast our League will, as yet, receive nothing! An outrage.
Our colleagues at Scarborough FC, FC United and South Shields FC, whose average gates exceed those of 26 National League clubs, have written to the Secretary of State for Digital, Media and Sport to protest in the strongest possible terms at the injustice. No response has, as yet, been received.
The result of all this is that without financial assistance with our cash flow, we will not be able to sustain ourselves. We need not panic! All clubs are in the same lamentable position. We own the stadium. Debt free save for a very small overdraft. But we must act now. Decisively.
How can you help? Easy! Engage in some of the following and get behind the team. All profits of the club go to the playing budget, in line with the Club’s Articles of Association and Constitution.
Buy a season ticket. Buy a season ticket for someone else! Advertise your business in the Match Day Programme or on a board surrounding the ground.
Join the Witton Albion lottery. Help Tracey Collins develop it. Make sure that you are paid up-to-date if you already are a member! Contribute to the Wincham Park Development Fund. Sell a scratch card. Do the Golden Goal. Sign up for £1 per goal scheme. Make a donation to our Just Giving page. The Fund is looking to raise £10,000 this season. Over £3,500 has been raised. Brilliant!
Volunteer to help work at the stadium. We need good tradesmen. We need match day stewards and experienced bar staff, as well as COVID supervisors. Three new volunteers start tomorrow! Many thanks.
Make donations through our 100 club (formerly 60 club). Even the smallest donations help. These can be made as a one off or on a monthly basis. Offer to pay a bill. We always have plenty!
Buy shares. Donate shares to the club for sale. Subscribe to the Newsletter. Contribute to the Newsletter. Derek Buckley and Paul Harper are looking for material constantly. As is Alan Jackson for the Juniors newsletter. The data provided builds the Witton Family even more. We particularly need young blood!
Finally, if you can’t do any of the above, just attend games and buy a drink or a pie. Buy cans and sweets at the new Exclusive Junior Tuck Shop. Gate receipts pay the playing budget. Muck in! Think what you can do for your Football Club, not what your Football Club can do for you. That sounds vaguely familiar!
Stay safe,
John