Save the Stutes 2014

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SAVE THE STUTES 2014 – SUPPORTERS INITIATIVE



NEWS RELEASE NO: 1 (MARCH 2014)






Dear Histon FC Supporter,





We would like to begin by thanking each of you for showing your support for this new initiative aimed at ensuring the long-term future of Histon Football Club. Your financial pledges will go a long way to not only helping the club continue to compete effectively for the remainder of this season, but also to ensure financial sustainability over the forthcoming twelve months. In addition, this clear demonstration of commitment to the club by its supporters has helped the Board drive forward negotiations with the existing shareholders.



At present arrangements are being made to set-up a new bank account into which all of the funds collected by way of this appeal shall be paid. The preferred method for making monthly donations will be either by standing order or via internet banking. Where this is not possible for anyone donations will also be able to be paid by cheque. Further details of this will be communicated to all those who have replied to the recent appeal shortly.



In order to assist the club in competing until the end of this season, we would like to start collecting monthly pledges from the beginning of April 2014. Wherever possible, we would invite you to submit a cheque for your first monthly donation by Friday 4th April 2014. These should be made payable to “Save the Stutes 2014” and sent to: Save the Stutes Appeal, c/o 3 School Hill, Histon, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9JE. (It is intended that Val Graves shall administer the monies generated by this appeal until such time as all the necessary accounts and accounting processes are in place). A standing order mandate will be available in the near future.



Furthermore, we think it is important that as a supporter-focused initiative we are accountable to those who are contributing towards its success. Therefore, from time to time we shall let you know how the monies raised have been used to assist the club in going forwards. Equally, if you have any questions about the use of this fund please do not hesitate to contact Val Graves on 07955 242340.



Once again thank you to everyone for your kind support in helping to a bring a new beginning at Histon FC, a little closer to reality.



Best Wishes,




VAL GRAVES and  ADRIAN DONAGHEY



19th March 2014

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SAVE THE STUTES 2014 – SUPPORTERS INITIATIVE
NEWS RELEASE NO: 2 (APRIL 2014)


Dear Histon FC Supporter,


Welcome to the second ‘Save the Stutes 2014’ news-letter intended to keep all of those people kindly supporting this initiative up to date with the progress of the appeal, and to let you know how the money being raised is helping Histon Football Club. First, we would like to say a big thank-you to everyone for honouring their financial pledges and sending through their donations in such a timely manner. It is only with your continued support that this appeal will succeed. Everyone who has contributed funds by way of cash or a cheque should have been issued with a receipt. If you have not received one, please contact Val Graves.

We can also confirm that a new bank account, specifically for donations to this appeal, has now been set up with the Cambridge Building Society. Attached to this newsletter are two forms: the first; is an application form which confirms your intention to subscribe to the Save the Stutes 2014 appeal and lets us know your preferred method for making future donations. The second form is the Standing Order application giving your bank permission to make monthly payments into the appeal fund. Please complete and return the relevant forms to: Histon Football Club, Glass World Stadium, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9PH.
If, of course, it is not possible for you to make your payments by either Standing Order or through internet banking you may continue to pay by cheque. These should be made payable to “Save the Stutes 2014” and sent to: Save the Stutes Appeal, Histon Football Club, Glass World Stadium, Bridge Road, Impington, Cambridge, CB24 9PH or handed to Val Graves on match days. Please try to make certain your cheque arrives during the first week of each month.

As previously promised, we believe it is important that those supporting the appeal should be kept informed about the manner in which their money is utilised by the club. We have agreed with the Board that where they request monies from this fund they shall indicate the specific purpose for which it is to be used. This information shall, in turn, be passed on through our periodic news releases. At present, any monies collected shall be used to meet the outstanding overheads of non-playing club staff and to repay monies owed to HM Revenue and Customs.

Given the size of our existing fan base, we believe that the response to this appeal so far has been quite astonishing. However, in view of our current financial situation, the more pledges we are able to attract the sooner it should be possible to establish a firm financial footing for the forthcoming season. Therefore, we would ask each of you to let us know of any other person that may be prepared to offer assistance in order to ensure the long-term future of Histon Football Club. If each of us could find just one other person to pledge their support, and that other person offered a donation of £20 per month many of the club’s immediate financial worries could be resolved.

If you have any questions about the Save the Stutes 2014 appeal or the use of the monies collected, please do not hesitate to contact either Val Graves on 07955 242340 or Adrian Donaghey on [e-mail]. Once again thank you to everyone for your kind support in helping to bring a new beginning at Histon FC a little closer to reality.

Best Wishes,
VAL GRAVES ADRIAN DONAGHEY

5th April 2014.

[clive]

Anyone know how much we owe the taxman?

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I cannot provide any definite figures but I understand that the outstanding PAYE bill in question is in the region £1800. On the current pledges of support we should be able to reduce this significantly in a relatively short space of time. However, the more people who are able to join this appeal the quicker all of these outstanding matters can be cleared and we can start to build for next season without the spectre of historic debts around our necks.

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SAVE THE STUTES 2014

NEWS RELEASE NO: 3 (JUNE 2014)



Dear Histon FC Supporter,


Welcome to the third ‘Save the Stutes 2014’ newsletter. It is now a little over a month since the playing season came to a close and preparations are already well under way at the club for next year in the Southern Premier League. It is during the close season that income is at its lowest and your kind support of this appeal is making all the difference in helping ensure that the club is able to prepare in an organized manner for the new campaign. Once again, Val and I would therefore like to thank you all for your continued backing with this endeavour. We have now received almost all of the ‘Intention to Subscribe’ and ‘Standing Order’ forms back. However, if you have not yet completed and returned these forms indicating your chosen method of payment, please could you do so by the end of June 2014. Any remaining forms should be sent to ‘Save the Stutes 2014’ c/o Val Graves, 3 School Hill, Histon, Cambridgeshire, CB24 9JE, or your bank, as appropriate.

As promised previously, I am able to let you know that the monies so far received by way of this appeal have been used in order to help ensure that club is able to fulfil its administrative obligations and be ready for the new football season. In the interim however, the ‘Save the Stutes Appeal’ has not been idle. In order to attempt to attract further long-term investment in Histon Football Club, Val and I have been working with members of the new Board to produce a brochure aimed at securing fresh commercial investment. It is hoped that this will be available by the end of this month. We are also looking at raising awareness of forthcoming ‘Stutes’ fixtures by re-introducing posters to pubs, clubs and other business outlets. In both of these new ventures we would like to record our thanks for the encouragement and support we have received not only from the Board and others within the club, but also to those numerous local businesses that have ‘come aboard’. This whole exercise has proven a useful reminder of the fondness with which Histon Football Club is viewed locally, and the important position it has holds within the community.

If you have any questions about the Save the Stutes 2014 appeal, the use of the monies collected, or would like to discuss new ideas for raising money for the club, please do not hesitate to contact either Val Graves on 07955 242340 or Adrian Donaghey on [e-mail]. Once again thank you to everyone for your kind support in helping to create a brighter future at Histon Football Club.

Best Wishes,


VAL GRAVES ADRIAN DONAGHEY

6th June 2014.