Club offers lifeline to Westbury United after risk of league expulsion
Frome Town Football Club has offered neighbours Westbury United FC a lifeline to save them from the risk of being expelled from the Southern League.
Westbury United face a severe financial crisis after being unable to pay a £38,000 electricity bill, meaning they could not fulfil their remaining home fixtures at their ground.
That’s when Frome Town stepped in to save the day. The club has offered to share their home ground until the end of the season.
Club chairman Derek Graham said, “Prior to Frome Town Council’s generous and crucial decision to step in a few years ago, many of you will remember that our club was just days away from liquidation. For the players, the staff, the board members and long-standing supporters, we know just how stressful and heartbreaking a situation like this can be—it involved sleepless nights and a horrible sense of unease about the future of our club.
“It was with that in mind, and having been in that position ourselves, that we took the decision to offer a helping hand to our neighbours, Westbury United.
“This decision was, of course, not taken lightly. There were several considerations at play, and many of the responses to this evening’s news are understood by members of the FTAFC board. Our ground maintenance team from Greensward are aware and confident that they have the capacity to carry out pitch works and repairs for the additional fixtures.
“The agreement we have reached, with the approval of the CBS (The Frome Town Community Benefit Society), has the double benefit of ensuring financial stability but, more importantly, saving one of our nearest neighbours. We are a footballing family, after all.”
Westbury United chairman Phil Hampson paid tribute to Frome Town.
“Unfortunately, due to a long-standing financial issue relating to the club’s electrical supply, we no longer meet the Southern League’s grading criteria,” he said. “As a result, we cannot fulfil our remaining home fixtures at Platinum Hyundai Park.
“Frome Town FC have kindly offered us a ground-share option, enabling us to complete our remaining home games. We are eternally grateful for their time, understanding and support over the past week—such genuine and kind people, without whom we wouldn’t be playing Southern League football. For that, we thank you.”
Pictured:
Above: Derek Graham, Frome Town FC chairman
Below: Westbury playing their first game at Badgers Hill. Picture by Martin Pearce
