Once again, I would like to thank everyone connected with AFC R&D for their continued help and assistance during these challenging times. The level of support provided to the Club over the last two weeks has been outstanding, enabling us this week to pay all of the players and staff in full up to date and on-time. This is a tremendous effort and gets the Club over an initial hurdle, but there is still much more to do to get us through to the new season.
Although our financial exposure has been partially reduced, we do still have the fixed costs due over April, May, June and July, along with the remaining invoices that we have not been able to pay. In addition to these, there are further costs necessary to prepare for the upcoming season to come. So, while we have made great progress to date, we continue to need your financial input now through Membership, Season Tickets, Merchandise, Sponsorship and Donations. Some of fantastic contributions so far include:
- Our new Team Building Lottery has 155 entries in this weekend’s inaugural draw, so look out to see it you have won £387 early next week. We can now guarantee a £1000 plus quarterly prize in June. To make sure you are in May’s draw you can sign up here or, if you prefer to complete the process by paper, contact John Gregory on teambuildinglottery@outlook.com.
- Membership renewals and sales have reached 50 since last week’s launch.
- Season Tickets sales have reached 35. Membership and Season Tickets can be bought here.
- Sales of tickets for the End of Season Grand Prize Draw continue – get your tickets here.
- Donations, for which we are incredibly grateful, have also continued to come in. These include both individual cash donations and kind donations of fees from those Academy parents who were able. If you wish to donate you can do so here or send a cheque or make a BACS transfer to account number 91508903, Sort Code 40-39-15, Account name AFC Rushden & Diamonds
- Shop sales have once again been strong, thanks to the fantastic 33% off everything sale – grab a bargain now – click here!
If you haven’t had time to help AFC R&D yet, we really do need it now.
Along with everyone who has helped financially over the last 2 weeks we are especially grateful to our wonderful volunteers helping with the Club Shop and Team Building Lottery.
We are talking to our many Sponsors and partners at Hayden Road about ongoing support. It is important to remember that our sponsors are also adversely affected by the current situation, hence the kindness that has been shown to us so far – especially from Fuelsell (see here) – is very much appreciated. With regards to financial help from football authorities and other bodies, nothing has changed since my last update – nothing has been received. The Club has also applied for a Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan, utilising the Coronavirus Retention Scheme for eligible employees and deferred VAT and rent payments. But we still need your help.
While the final decision relating to the 2019-2020 season has not yet been ratified by the FA, we are preparing for the 2020-2021 season. A draft budget is being put together based on business as normal when we can resume activity across the Club. This includes providing the necessary resources to put out the best possible first team while continuing to develop the pathway for young players.
The Board continues to meet on a weekly basis and for as long as these weekly meetings go on, I will continue to provide a weekly update. I hope that they are useful helping you keep in touch with the current situation. Please rest assured that the Board are doing everything that we can to ensure AFC Rushden & Diamonds’ survival. Thank you for all that you have done, also.
Please stay safe and follow the guidelines issued by the Government and Public Health England; updated daily and to be found here – https://www.gov.uk/coronavirus.
