A few years ago I was recommended to this football club. I definitely said ‘I know nothing about sports etc – I do commercial grants’ to the lovely lady who recommended me.
Then as I was sat in front of the Managing Director Tony Wilson (one of my favourite people in the world) he said ‘what grants could we get then’ and I said ‘Tony I haven’t got a clue but I will soon find out! A year and a half later, just like Pinky and the Brain (though I think Tony is the Brain in this one) Tony devised a plan to enable promotion that year (as they were so close to achieving that which is amazing) . So together we gained a sizeable amount from Sport England, Football Foundation to completely redo the pitch and implement irrigation, build our own new clubhouse, add another terrace along with a lot of other repairs etc such as turnstiles.
We also supported the Youth FC with grants to provide free programmes of football to schools etc and took the numbers from around 70 playing football from 3-16yrs to around 300 playing football and 33 teams which matched with Whitworth Academy enabled a partnership for a brand new 3G pitch.
“As Managing Director of Spennymoor Town Football Club one of our main strategies was to improve the playing surface and enhance the fan’s experience through significant ground and hospitality improvements.
A number of grants were searched and through the football foundation significant amounts were offered. The process would not have been possible or gone without the professionalism, drive and tenacity of Abi Smith from GEM Finance. Abi’s knowledge and detailed management coupled with excellent communications between all parties allowed a first time pass of the application process.” Tony Wilson, MD Spennymoor Town FC
