Missing Matches Fundraising Initiative

Total raised as of 3rd December = £12,615.49

FC United have launched a new fundraiser to help support the club’s financial stability over the winter months.

The unpredictable nature of non-league football, particularly fixture postponements, presents cash flow challenges. Although we are running the club responsibly, clubs like ours remain vulnerable to revenue gaps caused by external factors outside our control.

Despite our best efforts in financial planning and forecasting, the postponement of matches due to FA Trophy fixtures has led us to having limited Saturday home matches. Since our home match against Matlock Town on 21st September and our next match on Saturday 16th November, we have only had one Saturday home match.

We missed out on a potential home match on Saturday 5th October when we were drawn away to Hebburn in the FA Trophy. We also missed out on hosting our scheduled home league match on Saturday 26th October when we were drawn away against Worksop in the FA Trophy.

Following Gainsborough’s progression in the FA Trophy, we would have missed out on a home match on Saturday 16th November. Thankfully, Workington agreed to rearrange the game for that date. In December, we only have one Saturday home match; however, we could also miss out on this match should Warrington Rylands beat Scunthorpe away in the next round of the FA Trophy.

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UPDATED 19th November 2024

Would you believe it? Warrington Rylands pulled off a shock result at Scunthorpe on 16th November, and progressed through to the next round of the FA Trophy to be played on 7th December, meaning we have now missed out on our one and only Saturday fixture in December. 

The impact of postponements due to fixture scheduling has left us with just three home games in three months between late September and Christmas – a situation which would be an enormous blow for any non-league club. Any revenue we were counting on from the Gainsborough Trinity fixture in November now won’t be seen until mid-January, and whilst a new date is yet to be confirmed for our fixture against Warrington Rylands, we may well be looking at a similar situation.

The club has decided that THE SHOW WILL GO ON and are putting on a great day of events at Broadhurst Park on 7th Decemeber, which includes an Open Training Session and Q&A with Manager Mark Beesley and two Christmas Parties. 

Read more at: https://fc-utd.co.uk/news-story/fcs-christmas-celebration

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The impact on our cash flow of not hosting Saturday home matches cannot be overstated. As we continue to work hard to improve our financial performance, cash flow remains a significant concern for many clubs across the non-league spectrum, as evidenced by regular reports of clubs in trouble across the country.

‘Missing Matches’ is a new ongoing fundraising initiative aimed at proactively protecting our financial position over the winter months.

We encourage FC United co-owners and supporters to collectively contribute what they would on a normal Saturday matchday, where the club generates around £20,000 in cash. So, when making a donation, please consider what you would have spent on admission, travel, programme, half-time draw ticket, food, and drink.

1,000 supporters donating £20 each would generate the cash equivalent to what we would generate on a matchday.

We encourage supporters to back this initiative as strongly as they can—both financially and by sharing it with fellow supporters and friends. At FC United, we don’t have a backer who can step in when times are tough with an injection of cash. 

We are proudly 100% fan-owned. The fans are the club, and it is up to all of us to support the club as best we can. Success is ultimately in our hands.

We must always plan for worst-case scenarios. If we do not secure sufficient home fixtures, we may need to consider additional fundraising efforts to ensure the club’s ongoing stability.

Thank you for your continued support.

Nick Boom - Chair

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