FROME Town Football Club is halfway to reaching its £20,000 target which is needed for the club’s new 250-seat stand, after only two months of fund raising.
The club has thanked the local community for its support and generosity in raising the £10,000. The sum of £20,000 is needed before they can apply for grant funding to construct the new stand, which is vital to prevent being relegated.
Frome Town FC Secretary, Ian Pearce said, “To see the support rally is something that has really got to us all here – it’s incredible. We are now at the halfway point in just two months. It’s great to see the local community pull together to support the appeal.”
Now, the club is asking for continued support for the club to reach its target within the deadline and has been told that no extra time will be granted.
“The improvements to the AlderSmith Stadium need to be in place by the 31st of March,” said Ian. “The club has been notified that there is no extension allowed for the works so it is urgent that donations or pledges are made as soon as possible so works can be ordered.
“The total cost of the project is over £40,000 but the club must raise half of the costs in order to be eligible for any grant funding from the Football Stadia Improvement Fund. Planning permission has already been granted and formal tender documents are being distributed to companies as the next step.”
Donations so far have come from a variety of sources including TBT LTD, based in Commerce Park in Frome, who have donated £2,000 and an anonymous donation of £1,000 for which the club is very grateful. The donation was handed to a local postman to pass on to the club. Local businessman, Kevin Corcoran of Kevin Corcoran Carpets and Vinyls, has shaved one side of his moustache, hair and eyebrows to raise money for the cause. He will continue his fundraising until the 17th of December.
Upcoming events in support of the appeal
As part of the ongoing fund-raising efforts for the ground development appeal, supporters will have the chance to play on the AlderSmith Stadium pitch in a special match organised for Sunday 29th January when a Committee Select XI takes on a supporters XI, with kick off at 2.00pm.
A supporters team is being organised by Asa Wilkinson and the cost to play is £10 per person, while entry to the game for spectators will be £1 for adults and 50p for concessions. AM Print & Copy of Trowbridge have also agreed to produce a souvenir match programme free of charge, with any sales going to the appeal as well. The match will kindly be sponsored by Andrews Coaches while the match ball is by AM Print & Copy. Richard Corp will be the man in the middle for the game.
A special sportsman’s evening has been arranged for Friday 13th January with Chelsea legend Ron ‘Chopper’ Harris at The House in Woolverton. This event is being organised by the hotel, with all proceeds from the evening going towards the appeal. If you wish to book a ticket for the event they are priced at £15 each and are available by contacting the Club Secretary Ian Pearce on 07811511222 or emailing ian@frometownfc.co.uk
There is just one month remaining on the raffle entry for the stand naming rights, which costs £50, and is open to both businesses and individuals. Again, contact the club secretary to enter the draw. The deadline is 1st January with the draw made shortly afterwards.
Frome businessman, Kevin Corcoran, who has shaved one side of his moustache, hair and eyebrows to raise money for the cause, will keep his new look until the 17th of December. Half of the funds raised will go towards Frome Town Football Club’s appeal, with the other going towards Cancer Research UK. Anyone wishing to sponsor Kevin can do so by calling 01373 303733.
