A recent posting on the unofficial message board raises again the subject of FaST’s fund-raising and its links to the official PRE new stand development. With particular reference to FaST’s just-launched £1,000 cash raffle, the questioner asks whether the proceeds from the raffle are going specifically towards the PRE, what happened to the “Stand up for the PRE” campaign, and to FaST’s £35,000 target? Bob Perry answered these questions on the message board, but as these messages rapidly disappear down the thread-line, it’s worth repeating them here to allay any other fears.
“The profits from the £1000 cash draw WILL be used on ground developments at Cherrywood Road, wherever it is deemed appropriate, and in conjunction with the Club's future plans.
The " Stand up for the PRE" campaign, as it was called, was a 'strap line' designed and specifically linked to the sponsored walk to Fleet, with tee shirts, flags and hats etc., to give the walk an 'official' purpose and whereby monies raised would go towards the new PRE stand only.
Flags and tee shirts, I might add, paid for by Simon Hollis!!
We were, after all, out and about in the locality and representing Farnborough Football Club, so a modicum of professionalism had to be shown, and not just a ragbag of people walking to fleet.
The eyes of the constabulary and local Councils were upon us as we walked, and everyone behaved themselves immaculately, which we thank them for. Farnborough F.C also got some excellent feedback from the two hostelry stops as well which was excellent PR. The walk was, as everyone knows, very successful and raised just short of Six thousand pounds, which still remains in our account, and will be used on the development as and when required by the Club.
Yes, I agree, our initial target of £35,000 WAS for a percentage of the Club's share to support the Foundation grant for the PRE, and we were delighted to achieve our target with some very hard work from everyone.
When FaST was approached by Simon Hollis, with a request to assist with the financing of the new developments, other than the PRE, at the ground, we did question our position as to the financing of the PRE, and FaST's commitment to raising the £35,000 towards the balance.
We were assured, by Simon, that the financing of the PRE would not be an issue with, or without, FaST's assistance, although he was delighted to work 'with' our assistance, and the Club were extremely grateful that such valuable help in developing the ground is forthcoming from Supporters, in whatever fashion, and for whatever project around the ground.
Taking Simon's assurances that the PRE development would still go ahead, and that the shortfall funding would definately be met, we agreed to assist in other areas of the Club's developments.
The FaST Board has every confidence that the PRE will still be completed, and our Board unanimously agreed to assist with part payments for the fantastic amount of other work that has gone on around the Club.
Work which has literally transformed it from a rotting heap to something to be proud of, and we should all congratulate Simon for his efforts to date.
Our £31,000 was probably about 5% of what has been spent to date and, although its a very small amount in the grand scale of things, I personally am very proud to be associated with a hard working Board of Directors, and wonderful Supporters who have contributed so magnificently to our 'new' home.
FaST will continue to fund raise for 'ground development' projects, and the Trust Board will endeavour to use the funds in whatever way is deemed appropriate, and good for Farnborough Football Club, to the best of our ability, and we hope that ALL Supporters will back our fund raising efforts in the future. The Cash Draw being our next major fund raising venture. As you will see elsewhere on the FaST front page , our new target is £50,000
The FaST Board is elected by its Members and is given a mandate to oversee its finances 'in trust', and if Members believe that we are not worthy of that position, or abusing their trust, then I'm sure we will find out at the next AGM when Directors are appointed.
To date there has only been one recorded objection to our use of the funds by a Member, and that Member has not re-joined for this season.
We therefore conclude that our actions were vindicated and accepted by the majority.
Now I know the comeback will be "some of the money was raised by non FaST Members, and we didn't get a say as to its use", which I accept is true.
All I can say to that is that there has to be some sort of 'official' channel to fund raising, or it becomes a complete and uncontrollable mess, which becomes wide open to unthinkable consequences!!
FaST is the only accepted channel, and link to the Club, for Supporters at present, and we very much want to build on the mutual link and trust between ourselves, as supporters representatives, and the Club, which has developed greatly in the past two years.
I can assure you all that the FaST Board is a dedicated and disciplined Board, working under the very strict legal restraints of the Government backed Supporters Direct initiative, which makes it so very different from a normal Supporters Club, and will continue to work to its best ability in support of football in Farnborough, and Farnborough F.C in particular.
We would of course welcome any new Members,( £10-00 per year ) or Directors to the Board at the AGM, if anyone is desirous of the position(s), or anyone that can bring greater business acumen to the table, and take the trust on to even higher levels.
Forms can be received at the 50/50 table at any home match, or downloaded from the website."
