We've been fundraising for the youth department at Burnley Football Club since March 2006 and have raised, in total, over £62,000 in that time.

Before asking for your considerations - the money raised from this season's Fantasy Premier League is going to the youth department while the First Goal Sweep, when it continues, will raise a few more pounds too. But what do we do going forward?

There was a time when the club, as a thank you for our efforts, gave us one of the first team players sponsorship. That gave us a mention in the match programme as to what we were doing, we got the shirts and usually a couple of tickets for the end of season Player of the Year, which we usually auctioned at our dinner. That's all changed now. This season, to advertise that we were raising money for the club, they tried to charge us £500. They'd done that in the previous season and foolishly I'd paid it, but this season I said no. That space where they should have been advertising our fundraising on behalf of our club has since been left blank.

At this point, I must add that we have no problem with the youth department. It's not anything like it was when the likes of Dobbo & Vince were there but it is certainly a huge improvement on the Blake days when we were treated appallingly. It was being treated badly by club staff that brought an end to the golf days and dinners.

But to my point. Does the club need the few pounds we raise now for its youth department? I know it did back in 2006 but we are now a club who are set to go into a fifth consecutive season in the Premier League. The club is totally different now than it was then.

If it is considered, and the people who have got involved over the years will have a big say on this, that we should end it, should we just stop fundraising or do you think it would be appropriate to raise money for a charity or charities?

I'd certainly appreciate all of your views.

How about focusing on fundraising for the BFC in the Community projects?

diamondpocket wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 12:51 pm

How about focusing on fundraising for the BFC in the Community projects?

Certainly one suggestion which fits into the charity category. I did have a first meeting yesterday with Sara Ward who has taken over the community and it was a positive meeting.

I second BFC in the Community projects. May I suggest the Foodbank specifically?

Yes I’d agree with those above! The food banks is a great initiative.

I always like hearing the stories of celebs paying for those less fortunate to get through college or university

I don’t think it’s appropriate anymore. I know you said there’s no problem with the youth setup but the club clearly don’t appreciate it. We are a million miles away from where we were in 2006, I’d go along with the BFC in the community suggestion

I'd just like to add at this point that I get very emotional regarding the foodbank. It's tragic seeing people going in who need help.

Foodbank
Tickets for those that can’t afford them
Local Charities

There’s also loads of ways to raise money
Food Counts
Poker Tournaments
Darts Tournaments
FIFA Tournaments

Whilst we all can’t do those we’ll know people who can.

100% the food bank Tony

I must admit that if we were to continue I'd like to do additional things - I'll rule myself out of the darts though - I'm cross eyed following a cricket injury.

I agree with dushanbe, a very wise man who i know from the dinners you allude to above CT.

The budget for the youth set up must be astronomical now compared to 2006, so i agree with the foodbank scenario where the money will go into helping people who really need it.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 1:14 pm

I must admit that if we were to continue I'd like to do additional things - I'll rule myself out of the darts though - I'm cross eyed following a cricket injury.

Re darts, there's nothing wrong with my eyes that my glasses don't fix. But, my elbow and the rest of my arm now has a mind of it's own. Whereas I used to be able to hit a treble or bull regularly, I now find it a challenge to hit the wall that the dart board is fastened to.

"This season, to advertise that we were raising money for the club, they tried to charge us £500"

I find that statement incredible and very shortsighted by the club. I agree BFC in the community seems the way forward.

I remember when the year of the youth started and have seen how it’s developed.


The club is in a totally different place now. It doesn’t need charity and the money given to a multimillion pound club could be much better used.

Use it for the food banks. That’s a proper cause helping local people. I can only see the need for the food bank growing so the charitable funds raised by this board will be much needed.


I see the need for CT to ask on here as it’s been raised by many people and therefore it’s a difficult thing for him to do without consulting others but I think CT can rest assured that no one will have any issues with giving it to the food bank.

Keep up the good work CT

Just to add, IMO people would be more likely to donate/ spend time arranging events if the money raised went to a cause that really needs it

Inchy wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 1:34 pm

I remember when the year of the youth started and have seen how it’s developed.

Inchy - Was it you or your brother who partnered jdrobbo in a defeat at Rishton Golf Club all those years ago against Flixton and myself?

Another vote here for the foodbank.

tybfc wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 2:44 pm

Inchy - Was it you or your brother who partnered jdrobbo in a defeat at Rishton Golf Club all those years ago against Flixton and myself?

Give over TY...I’ve never played in a golf day.

For me, I have really enjoyed the fundraising side if things but I agree, things are in a different place. We know we’ve made a difference snd like all good people wanting to help, a change of focus can bring new impetus.

I’ve enjoyed the work we’ve done on the Foodbanks and WYClarets regularly like to contribute. It’s terrible that people need Foodbanks but whilst there’s a need, I think this should be our primary concern. It’s directly related to the club and the community already and is still in its early stages, so plenty of work to be done. I would have this as the main focus and any meals or fundraising we do, I would use to raise awareness around the foodbank cause.

Cheers as always for the good work you’ve done Tony.

Food bank is always a great charity to support, no person should be going hungry in any country, never mind this one.

Would It be an issue to split the charities?

If not can I suggest Pendleside hospice?
They do a fantastic job in extremely difficult and emotional circumstances.
They have really been struggling recently for finances, and I'm yet to meet a person who hasn't had family or friends effected by that horrible disease, yet they bring so much comfort to so many in our community at the most difficult of times.

The food bank and Pendleside hospice are 2 very important charities in this community, that leave positive imprints on so many lives.

Agree with maybe a split between Pendleside and the foodbank.

Junior, grass roots football in the area?

kritichris wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 1:27 pm

"This season, to advertise that we were raising money for the club, they tried to charge us £500"

I find that statement incredible and very shortsighted by the club. I agree BFC in the community seems the way forward.

One department (commercial) more than happy to take money from another (academy) rather than supporting the fundraising. That was when I decided enough was enough for me in terms of fundraising directly for the club.

Bertiebeehead wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 4:03 pm

Junior, grass roots football in the area?

Dont want to get into a discussion on this thread, but junior football clubs/teams are the biggest scroungers out there.

Fund raise for fun, want shirt sponsors etc as they're skint, yet spend half the money unnecessarily and always find funds for a Christmas party and awards nights...

The scrounging is a yearly event, not sure why parents who want their kids to play football cant fund the fancy tracksuits ( club badges and initials too of course) or their trips to Blackpool or Barcelona for tournaments...

Foodbank for me
Great great cause

I like the idea of underprivileged kids getting match tickets for our home games. Something that we take for granted.

Tony - I agree with both yours and John's sentiments and remembering back to when we first started this fundraising times have certainly moved on and the Club neither need or appear to appreciate our money as they did.

Having read the ideas knocking about above I would be 100% behind donating all monies raised to local foodbanks where there is going to be a greater need than ever for them now and in the months to come.

Just a thought... Not everyone comes from burnley, maybe have something more national alongside the local causes?

Grumps wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 7:28 pm

Just a thought... Not everyone comes from burnley, maybe have something more national alongside the local causes?

Some contributors, like myself, are outside the UK. Personally I would rather we support Burnley charities than nationwide.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sat May 16, 2020 1:14 pm

I must admit that if we were to continue I'd like to do additional things - I'll rule myself out of the darts though - I'm cross eyed following a cricket injury.

Was that watching a Muralitheran googly?

I’m just bumping up this thread because the new season and any potential fundraising will be on us very soon.

My suggestion is to make a final payment to the academy (around two and a half thousand) and then moving forward with fundraising for Burnley Community Kitchen who run the foodbank.

I will need to make that clear when fantasy is launched for next season and I will also need to contact everyone who still has any credit in the first goal sweep should they wish to have a refund.

Over 14 years of fundraising for the youth department. So many people to thank, all those who have contributed and the fantastic relationship we had with people like Jeff Taylor, Pash, Faz, Big Vince and most of all Dobbo. I’ll repeat what I’ve said of Dobbo before that no one at Burnley Football Club has ever shown me and the website more respect.

I think you're right, with the club becoming a category one academy it's probably time to find someone who needs the money more.

Inkeeping with the original "Year of the youth" spirit I've always liked the idea of sponsoring a local kids football competition.

dibraidio wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 09, 2020 1:06 pm

I think you're right, with the club becoming a category one academy it's probably time to find someone who needs the money more.

Inkeeping with the original "Year of the youth" spirit I've always liked the idea of sponsoring a local kids football competition.

I’ve looked at the other comments and it will be the foodbank for me. It’s desperately needed just now more than ever before.

Great job CT.
I like the idea of sponsoring grass roots / youth football for both boys and girls.
The food bank is also obviously a great cause too.
I also know of a really good local charity at the hospital - it’s basically volunteers who help the staff and patients. Many of the volunteers are ex patients who have spent significant time getting treatment themselves. It’s a low profile charity but they have done a great job for many years raising money for new equipment for the hospital.

Whatever the money goes to it I’m sure everyone will be happy for it to continue.

Quite happy with your suggestion Tony.

Don't stop the first goal sweep whatever you do as it's one of heiaburnley's main income streams

Fully endorse collecting for the Foodbank.

bodge wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 09, 2020 1:16 pm

Quite happy with your suggestion Tony.

Don't stop the first goal sweep whatever you do as it's one of heiaburnley's main income streams

He’s had a hell of a run but keeps adding another entry but donated his last win to charity. He’s been stuck back home in Norway for the past few months.

Foodbank seems an excellent suggestion.

One more vote for the foodbank from me

I will support whichever direction you go with this, Tony.

I agree that, at this time, the club does not need or, shortsightedly in my opinion, value the few thousand pounds we raise each season. The foodbank and/or another local charity sound like excellent choices for any funds raised. I consent to my remaining 1st goal sweep entries being moved to whatever alternative you determine.

Brilliant idea to redirect the fundraising towards the foodbank. It’s needed now more than ever before and I will get involved in any way I can. I’m sure that your efforts and support will be appreciated properly with that cause.

One day the academy will need fundraising for again and I dare say they’ll regret taking it for granted.

ClaretTony wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 09, 2020 12:52 pm

I’m just bumping up this thread because the new season and any potential fundraising will be on us very soon.

My suggestion is to make a final payment to the academy (around two and a half thousand) and then moving forward with fundraising for Burnley Community Kitchen who run the foodbank.

I will need to make that clear when fantasy is launched for next season and I will also need to contact everyone who still has any credit in the first goal sweep should they wish to have a refund.

Over 14 years of fundraising for the youth department. So many people to thank, all those who have contributed and the fantastic relationship we had with people like Jeff Taylor, Pash, Faz, Big Vince and most of all Dobbo. I’ll repeat what I’ve said of Dobbo before that no one at Burnley Football Club has ever shown me and the website more respect.

To be perfectly honest, I don't think there would be any serious objections to putting the £2,500 to the Foodbank now, given what you've told us of the Club's attitude.

I stand to be corrected, but I understand the player's combined contribution to the Foodbank appeal was around £4,250 which the Club is said to have matched. This may be the " Offline donation " mentioned on the Just Giving page ( £8,500 ) .... Our wage bill for the players is upwards of £65m per annum .... I'm sure we all have a view on this ...

Don’t like to knock the club but the premiership has taken the club to another level they should never forget what people have done for the club for fundraising events unfortunately the food banks are here to stay food banks for me please keep up the fantastic work everybody

Terrible attitude from the club Commercial Department! Keep it local and the Foodbank I agree is the best use of funds. If you wish to donate to more than one charity then the Hospice would be a great choice.

No one can argue with the food bank. Is it also worth keeping some back in case there are serious changes at the club down the line, to acquire a few shares.

Well done and thanks to everybody who helped to raise such vast funds.

Whatever is left to the foodbanks. They need it now.

Another vote from me for the foodbanks. If the option is there to donate to more than one place, then I would also look at Pendleside Hospice.

Thank you ClaretTony and all of your team for the work which you do in this area.

leelad wrote: ↑

Sun Aug 09, 2020 4:54 pm

Another vote from me for the foodbanks. If the option is there to donate to more than one place, then I would also look at Pendleside Hospice.

Thank you ClaretTony and all of your team for the work which you do in this area.

As above. I was involved early on with the fundraising and as said elsewhere, the youth set up has evolved recently mainly thanks to the success of the first team. However there are, too me anyway, much more pressing local issues. Pendleside Hospice are still struggling, so perhaps a 90/10 split with the foodbank so that the both issues are dealt with.

That said I'm happy to go with the majority.

Very disappointing to hear BFC's lack of interest having done all this fundraising for them in the past when they really needed it. Alas, premier league brings bad things as well as good.
I also would agree to donate monies to the local food banks, maybe reviewing annually then carry on or maybe donate to another good cause.
Well done Tony and all the other volunteers that has helped in the past. UTC!

Burnley Guide dogs are a very good cause.