Speaking at Thursday evening's Gala Dinner, Bulls Chairman David Keyte spoke about the re-launch of the Bulls Lottery.
The income from the monthly draw has fallen over the last decade to a point where it currently turns in a profit of around £130 per month. Keyte is convinced that with the right promotion and the support of fans this revenue stream could grow to help fund the player wage budget by as much as £1000 per week – enough to secure a quality player at League 2 level.
We re-launch the official "Back the Bulls" Lottery for Hereford United Football Club this month and I hope you will give it your support.Much has been written about the 55% of turnover restriction on the player budget and I personally believe it to be an excellent discipline for football clubs. However as a result, the subsequent pressures to increase the Club's turnover and profits through off-field ventures has become even more intense as we strive to remain competitive on the field.
The current Lottery has been successfully administered for several years by Mark Farmer and Jamie Griffiths via the official club website. It is a simple model which if well supported can provide financial resources from a much wider base – i.e. "many hands make light work".
For instance, we have this week donated £11,000 from the Lottery Fund to the Supporters Club project which will go towards providing facilities for use by you, the regular fans, whenever you visit the Supporters Club.
55% of any future profits made via the Lottery and, indeed via the Supporters Club itself, will be eligible for the players' playing budget. I am hoping that the lottery will appeal to, and be supported by, all fans who wish to help secure the future of our football club. In anticipation of your support, I would like to thank all of you for taking part in this scheme. It is greatly appreciated. COYW. Back the Bulls!!
The Re-Launched Lottery will offer a guaranteed monthly first prize of £200 with second and third prizes of £25 and £5. Download details including Bank payment mandate at http://www.herefordunited.co.uk/staticFiles/9b/93/0,,10835~168859,00.doc
The soon to be re-opened Supporters Clubs will quickly provide the turnover required to allow us the up the budgets but we still have to find the profit to pay those extra wages. This lottery has no cost to The Club so the money can go straight to budgets. This is a very simple way for fans to contribute directly to the on-field project.