National League Boreham Wood have had their request for grant money turned down by Sport England.
It is very disappointing to report that, despite assurances given to the club by representatives from both Sports England and the National League, we have subsequently been turned down for the Winter Survival loan.
It now feels that those assurances were perhaps only given to ensure we supported the continuation of the National League at Step 1.
For balance, the club has decided to print the loan rejection letter for our supporters to read and for other football clubs to take note as we know that certain clubs at Step 1 and 2 have also been given the same assurances and might think that these Winter Survival loans or grants are in the pipeline, when that may not be the case.
Wood Chairman Danny Hunter said, “The loan rejection letter does state that we run the club correctly, but it’s still disappointing that on a number of levels the letter appears not to understand we are still in a pandemic, that we are still in trouble and if we continue to play without crowds and with a closed facility, like many clubs and their owners, we’ll struggle to operate. As it is, it will take us all many years to repay the existing debts and these Winter Survival loans with their preferential rates and terms were seen as a real help…
“Perhaps they’ve tried letting us down softly by telling us that we are a well-run football club, but to acknowledge in the letter the large amount of monies we’ve lost with no crowds, no astro facility hire, no bar sales and no function hire but then infer that because I’ve deferred my tax, remortgaged my home and already taken out two business interruption loans, that we don’t need their help to get through this season, is to forget the assurances given.
“They must also I feel understand, that I firstly had to take the club off furlough to compete in last season’s play-offs and that was in part to satisfy the League’s commercial interests, which cost me personally over £80k.
“I was then forced to take out loans to start this season because, without any true knowledge if we’d get any financial assistance, I had to get all my ducks in a row early. So, I feel I had no choice as I couldn’t trust the National League, its Chairman or its Chief Executive at the time, to help me and it seems that both myself and the club are now being punished for that.
“As a result, I do feel a bit sorry for myself although I don’t regret the decisions I took last spring and summer to take loans and defer my tax, even in hindsight, as it was the only way to keep my staff, players and my Manager safe. Also, it was only correct that I ensured as many of my staff as possible were paid 100% throughout this pandemic, though in truth that pressure has now had an adverse effect on my health over the last few months…
“I now feel I’ve been misled by the governing bodies and to be told, after we had voted to continue, that my club is not now eligible for these Winter Survival loans with the long-term payment terms and preferential interest rates is a blow, as they are open to most other clubs which I feel is unjust.
“I’ve gone and rechecked things my end with my Finance Director, who has also e-checked things her end with Sport England and its simple… If I hadn’t taken those earlier business interruption loans, if I’d not deferred my tax, if I had repaid my remortgage and if I had decided to work hand to mouth and not created sensible cashflow, I would have got the loan – so for me that’s madness.
“In other words, if I’d put my community football club bang in trouble, if I’d just worried about me and put my staff, my players and my suppliers lives and livelihoods in danger by not doing the right thing then the football club would apparently now be eligible for the winter survival loans on the improved terms which the other National League clubs are now getting.
“So, when we are having to pay off our business interruption loans which begins this June on far worse terms than the other National League clubs are getting, then we are by definition being denied the same sporting chance as every other club in our division, which I don’t feel is fair or has been properly thought through by the National League or Sport England.” Hunter concluded.
The Rejection Letter:
Boreham Wood FC Meadow Park Broughinge Road Borehamwood WD6 5AL 5th March 2021
Funding Outcome Letter | Boreham Wood FC
Thank you very much for applying to the Sport s Winter Survival Package (SWSP). We have assessed your application for funding against the criteria to determine the extent to which it supports the delivery of the SWSP programme objectives outlined below.
•ensure as many sports or sports clubs survive the period of coronavirus restrictions currently in place over the winter period which prevent spectators from attending professional sports competition
•minimise the long-term damage to participation through safeguarding investment into grassroots community activity and women’s sport.
Based on that assessment unfortunately we are not able to offer funding towards your organisation on this occasion. The reason for this decision is the extent to which you meet the financial resilience and sustainability criteria. Specifically, applicant organisations must be:
oAt risk of no longer trading viably by the end of this financial year and/or failure to provide support would inflict long-term damage on the sport with associated severe consequences.
It is acknowledged the club has seen revenues fall significantly as a result of the impact of Covid . Spectator income has been hit severely, alongside the venue and 3G pitch hire. However, based on the information provided, the club has demonstrated that it has sufficient finances to enable it to survive through until to March 2022.
The Board noted that the club finds itself in this position as a result of positive action it has taken in accessing wider Government support, receiving grant investment, and most importantly its own prudent financial management which has generated a financial surplus in trading years prior to Covid. Unfortunately to be eligible for support an organisation must have a financial need by the end of 31st March 2021. The submission from the club indicates that there is no financial need as of this date – nor at the end of June 2021 (end of season) or by end of March 2022.
We realise you will be disappointed with this decision. If you are concerned that we have misunderstood any of the information provided, or you would like to discuss the decision further please don't hesitate to get in touch. You can do this by contacting us at the programme inbox wintersurvival@sportengland.orgwhere one of the team will arrange a session with the case manager. If you do not think we have followed our published procedures correctly when assessing your application, you also have the option to register an appeal. We would be happy to discuss this with you further and we can provide you with details of the appeals procedure as required. Please note, an appeal would need to be registered within 21 days of the date of this letter.