The dedicated Brentford fans who organise bucket collections on matchdays have decided to launch a Players' Fund, aimed at giving Brentford FC on-pitch support when it needs it most.
The scheme will see half of the money raised from bucket collections at Brentford games diverted into the fund, where it will be ring-fenced for addition to Martin Allen's playing budget.
For example, Funds could be released at a critical time during the season to fund the wages of a loan signing to assist the Club in its efforts to push up the table.
For the past two seasons the supporters have been organising bucket collections at Brentford home games, raising more than £40,000 for Bees United. Those involved in the collections now wish to do more to assist Martin Allen's efforts, since improved playing performances are the best way of increasing attendances and revenue in the short term.
Spokesman for the "Brentford Bucket Collectors", John Anderson, said: "We are not talking about great sums of money, but over the course of a half a season it could help towards the salary of a loan player who could be useful if we are pushing for promotion".
"We have met with Martin Allen and explained our thinking and he is fully in support of what we are trying to achieve. We have also told him that our number one objective will always be to keep the funds flowing in to Bees United. The Trust is raising around £10,000 each month and it is this money which is keeping the Club out of administration. Nothing we do must affect the existing fundraising for Bees United. Martin is fully aware of the delicate finances at the Club and fully supportive of our efforts," he added.
While the money will be secured in Bees United's account to assist the Club to sign a player, the organisers have agreed that in a worst case scenario it may be applied to alleviate critical financial difficulties in the Club, should this case arise. Anderson commented: "Whilst we are ring-fencing money for the Player's Fund, there is little point us sitting on a pot of £10-£15,000 if the Club did not have enough money to pay the phone bill".
SUMMARY:
- Half the money collected in buckets at Brentford fixtures this season will be "ring-fenced" for the use of Martin Allen to go towards his players' budget.
- The money collected will be published after each game on the Bees United and BIAS web sites and with a running tally of the money in the Player's Fund.
- The money will go into the Bees United general fund.
- The administration of this scheme will be led by John Anderson, who is also a Bees United Board member.
- Any request for the application of the Player Fund monies will be made by the BFC board to the three Fund Managers – Darrell Goddard, Julia Johnson and John Anderson. – who will liase with the BFC Finance Director, Stephen Callen, who will act on behalf of the Club and Bees United. Money raised in this way will not be used to pay, or part pay, players' agents.
- If a critical financial issue arises within the Club, the Adminstrators reserve the right to divert the funds from Player's Fund and to the General Club Loan to ensure the survival of Brentford FC.