2021 started off as a year of uncertainty but it finished with overwhelming optimism at Frome Town Football Club.
The club has bounced back from COVID closures and cancellations to enjoy being top of the league, maintaining the highest attendances in the league and winning 13 home matches on the bounce prior to the draw against Melksham on 27th December.
The year began with the football season on hold and in February completely cancelled. This devastating news followed the previous season’s lockdown cancellation, when promotion looked very likely.
But the club and its supporters and partners have worked together tirelessly to keep the club on track and at the heart of the Frome community.
The club’s 50:50 prize draw helped them pay the bills whilst the football was on hold, but then the club were back with a bang. The new #BA11 Live event set the season up with live entertainment, football experiences for the local children, family fitness sessions and other activities with over 500 local people enjoying the day. This linked with the donation of a new club sign and the redesign of the club’s entrance, all to welcome fans back to the Hill and back to outdoor events.
The continued optimism around the club was set when all the players from the previous season committed to the challenge of chasing promotion again this season.
Following friendlies against some of the other big teams in Somerset arranged to help encourage fans back to watching live football, the opening match of the season saw 867 people come to see the Robins when IMS Ltd bought the town a ticket, which set a modern day attendance record for the club.
It has been followed by the highest attendances in the league over the rest of the season. The club state this is down to the wonderful supporters and their efforts…as well as the quality food on offer!
Off the pitch the club has been working hard to continue to help and promote the Frome community. Working with Fair Frome, we saw an innovative prize draw to win a car with Platinum Motors, go slightly off plan. However, the donations poured in to help raised over £2,500 for the club and Fair Frome.
Then this Christmas we’ve seen the supporters back our Kitmas appeal allowing us to purchase 97 football shirts, tickets and selection boxes to go out with the food parcels to help those using foodbanks this Christmas. Frome Town United also donated 97 books from their children.
The club is still working hard to find more local partnerships with local businesses to help promote their services and support the club as this becomes the next biggest focus for the club’s progression.
2022 looks extremely positive for the club; the club is keen to state that if you are a supporter, thank you for everything you have done this year.
If you’ve not yet taken a visit to the Hill then don’t delay as you’re might be missing out on the best Frome team there’s been.
Photos by Steve McCarthy
