Call for businesses to get behind soccer club
Thursday, 23rd August 2001.
HAVERHILL Rovers' new chairman Michael Barnett is calling for more support from the town's business community to help the club out of its financial difficulties.
Town MP Richard Spring has written to the Football Association and Sport England asking if grant aid could be provided to help the club. Mr Spring will be visiting the club to meet Mr Barnett in October.
Mr Barnett, who lives at Dullingham, became involved with Haverhill Rovers through his friendship with skipper Paul Goodman and is determined to help the club improve its facilities.
Improvement work has already been done on the pitches and the clubhouse has been redecorated.
Despite the departure of businessman John King from the club several weeks ago, a £100,000 renovation scheme for the clubhouse, changing rooms and pitches is already being drawn up. Mr Barnett is convinced the funding will be found for it to go ahead next year.
The 62-year-old retired chartered accountant moved to Dullingham from the Harlow area only three years ago and had never heard of Haverhill before then. Last year he became club president and has already attracted sponsorship for the club.
"I have always been interested in football. I have supported Tottenham since I was a child and played when I was younger.
"When Paul Goodman told me Haverhill Rovers were in a very precarious financial position I started taking an interest.
"What I could not get over was the lack of a commercial response to a team like the Rovers from industry and companies in Haverhill.
"It is not such a rich community but there are some big companies and I thought they could help the Rovers to encourage the youngsters.
"There may be a lot of football fans in the area but they are not encouraged to go to the Rovers. Let's get some local support for this team, most of my sponsors have been from London," Mr Barnett said.
Town MP Richard Spring has written to the Football Association and Sport England asking if grant aid could be provided to help the club. Mr Spring will be visiting the club to meet Mr Barnett in October.
Mr Barnett, who lives at Dullingham, became involved with Haverhill Rovers through his friendship with skipper Paul Goodman and is determined to help the club improve its facilities.
Improvement work has already been done on the pitches and the clubhouse has been redecorated.
Despite the departure of businessman John King from the club several weeks ago, a £100,000 renovation scheme for the clubhouse, changing rooms and pitches is already being drawn up. Mr Barnett is convinced the funding will be found for it to go ahead next year.
The 62-year-old retired chartered accountant moved to Dullingham from the Harlow area only three years ago and had never heard of Haverhill before then. Last year he became club president and has already attracted sponsorship for the club.
"I have always been interested in football. I have supported Tottenham since I was a child and played when I was younger.
"When Paul Goodman told me Haverhill Rovers were in a very precarious financial position I started taking an interest.
"What I could not get over was the lack of a commercial response to a team like the Rovers from industry and companies in Haverhill.
"It is not such a rich community but there are some big companies and I thought they could help the Rovers to encourage the youngsters.
"There may be a lot of football fans in the area but they are not encouraged to go to the Rovers. Let's get some local support for this team, most of my sponsors have been from London," Mr Barnett said.
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