Your guide for your
Abingdon, Wantage and Faringdon Thursday, March 29 - Wednesday, April 4, 2018
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New U’s boss excited by challenge
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Sport
Football club calls on fans to pitch in to help keep it going By Owen Hughes UNCERTAINTY off the pitch at Abingdon United could see the club go bust within the next five years unless there are “big changes”. Despite all three of Abingdon United’s senior teams still having a chance of silverware this season, an extraordinary general meeting was called last week to inform members of the burgeoning fi nancial crisis. Harry Burton, committee member and media officer for the club, said: “Reflecting on last season, we were successful on the pitch, but fi nancially not so much off the pitch. “At the moment, I wouldn’t say the situation was dire, but it’s not an ideal situation. “Non-league clubs around here, no-one ever holds their hands up when they’re in trouble, but we are at a point now where we have to say ‘we need help’. “The general decline we’ve seen over the years in ticket revenue compared to 10 years ago is massive. Even with the recent promotion, the club has struggled.” Standard adult tickets to see the Hellenic Premier league team in action at Northcourt Road currently cost £5, with an average gate of around 60. At the meeting, members expressed a desire for more regular and
transparent communication from the club, which was formed in 1946. Mr Burton added: “One of the things that came out of the meeting is to improve communication to our members, whether it’s needing help with an event or the financial situation.” In addition to its gate receipts and sponsorship, the club also has successful darts and Aunt Sally teams and hosts music and comedy nights. On Monday, the club will hold a ‘pay what you like’ game, where supporters can give the club however much money they think a ticket is worth. Harry said: “We get about 30 or 40 people paying standard price; some might pay more, or some might pay half. But we had 180 people show up last time we did it, which is treble our average gate.” He added the club was unlikely to collapse in the immediate future but “long and medium term changes” were needed. “We are proud to be a community football and social club, with a great history and so many people have worked hard to keep us going over the years. “If the club were to carry on making losses like it did last year, it could go bust within the next three to five years. “Let’s take action before things get really bad, let’s try and get things right off the field to match our success on the field.”
Trunks and trainers out for 5k fun run
STAFF and elephants at Milton Park businesses put on their running shoes to raise more than £2,000 for charity. Runners, joggers and walkers came together from across the Park to take part in a 5k fun run to raise money for Sport Relief. Philip Campbell, commercial director at MEPC, said: “We’re
really glad to have brought Sport Relief back to Milton Park. “This is a fantastic event and with the help of the organisers and everyone at Milton Park, we have raised a phenomenal amount of money for Sport Relief. “We want to share a huge thank you to everyone who took part, from organisers, to the participants
who completed the route, and everyone who donated.” More than 250 companies are based at Milton Park. The funds raised for Sport Relief will be used to tackle critical issues affecting people in the UK and the rest of the world. Donations can still be made online at: https://bit.ly/2J1Fz1i
More printed copies than any other weekly newspaper in Oxfordshire (16,103 audited JICREG pending)
Friday April 13th Advance tickets: Tickets Standing £6
The Ultimate Entertainment Venue
or Seated £8 Available from SHUSH www.shush.fm/events & the SHUSH app The Regent Mall, Newbury Street, Wantage, Oxfordshire OX12 8BU.
Tel. 01235 771122.
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