Ask The Players: What financial struggles will our clubs face?

Roslea

“Our biggest worry at the moment is to our ‘Cairde’ fundraiser for next year”

How has the lockdown and coronavirus affected your club financially?

The main financial income for the club is through donations from the club lotto. It was suspended for 12 weeks so obviously a big hit. Even when it returned, the online sales – although rising – wouldn’t have reached what they were before. During the year we would normally run at least two ‘Big Breakfasts’ and had planned on doing a ‘Mid summer BBQ’, a Tractor Run and some other fundraisers but obviously they had to be shelved due to restrictions on gatherings. Even things like the lack of home games and gate receipts all add up.

What will be the biggest financial impact to the clubs in general?

Our biggest worry at the moment is to our ‘Cairde’ fundraiser for next year. All proceeds are donated directly to the club and it has 240 members in 2020, paying a yearly membership fee. The worry would be that with people out of work and money getting tight the membership will be well down in 2021. This could have a massive impact on the day to day running of the club never mind our currentdevelopment works.

What can the clubs do to offset any impact?

The biggest thing in the short term is to try to increase our online fundraising such as the lotto and competitions. Long term is really in the unknown.

What support is there for the clubs?

There were various grants available from the council in the early stages but these didn’t go too far, they were more for help with providing community initiatives. It doesn’t look like there will be any grants etc from Croke Park/Ulster Council but in fairness income for the association as a whole will be massively down this year.

Armagh Harps

“It’s imperative that the Ulster Council/Croke Park continue to lobby both Governments.”

How has the lockdown and coronavirus affected your club financially?

The lockdown has had a significant detrimental impact on the monies coming into the Club which are ordinarily reinvested in our teams, our facilities and our equipment. We were unable to host our fund raising Lotto or undertake a variety of other fund raising events that was planned for 2020. Having to close our recently refurbished Social Club also meant a loss of a revenue stream. Reduced gates results in reduced income from that source.

What will the biggest financial impact be to the county board?

I imagine the reduction in gate receipts will be a huge negative impact. Also the corporate money and the sponsorship options will be lessened. Support from the Ulster Council/ Croke Park/ Government may be less likely.

What will be the biggest financial impact to the clubs in general?

A reduction in money coming into the Clubs from their regular sources will prevent reinvesting in the Clubs. This will affect the communities these Clubs serve and indirectly will have a negative socio-economic effect. Health and well being may be affected and there is potential for less members to continue playing the games.

What can the county board do to offset any impact

Try and secure funding and provide it to the clubs so they can continue to provide the service they do in their communities. Armagh Harps is more than just a football Club, it is an integral part of the community.

What can the clubs do to offset any impact?

The clubs will have to readjust and cut their cloth accordingly.

What support is there for the clubs?

Financial support is drying up. It’s imperative that the Ulster Council/ Croke Park continue to lobby both Governments to ensure funding is made available for Clubs to undertake their valuable work. The social and economic effects of lockdown need to be addressed and clubs are providing members with outlets at this difficult time.