This from HUST:
The HUST 50/50 match-day draw continues to grow as fans
wish to, not only help build club funds, but also recognise its value as a
really positive way of growing supporter ownership in Hereford Football Club.
The success of the draw, established by HUST, has
been down to the generosity of supporters and the hard work of the team of
wonderful volunteers led by Mike Langford.
Following appeals from HUST to back the
draw still further in recent months, the 50/50 has now hit record levels in terms of the
percentage of sales to home attendances. Analysis of the last four home games
indicates the percentage take-up in the draw has now exceeded 80%; Wimborne
75.89%, Swindon 76.52%, North Leigh 80.56% and Wantage 79.94%.
The HUST chairman Richard Tomkins has been working
alongside the volunteers recently. Speaking today he said, “It's a pleasure to
meet fans when we're selling HUST 50/50 tickets. Many recognise it's a
really good way of growing supporter ownership in our 'new' club.
“For me, the delight on winners faces makes it a real
supporter’s draw where they can take home a substantial cash prize from their
£1 purchase. The half time announcement of the winning tickets, and all eyes on
that scoreboard, it generates a real buzz around the ground”.
The HUST 50/50 draw operates under the Trust’s
lottery licence. Tickets are sold in and around the ground on match-days with
HUST investing all of the proceeds into the club in the form of share purchase.
The club can utilise this investment across its budget from ground improvements
to physio equipment, to purchasing merchandise. HUST continues to swell the
club coffers with ongoing payments at £10,000 a time, which assists the clubs
cash-flow.
Tomkins continued, “Back in the day, HUISA ran the
50/50 draw, but due to the structure of Hereford United FC, fans had limited
opportunity to buy a stake in their own club. This was later taken on by
HUST who are now improving fan ownership with every draw and benefitting the
club at the same time.
“The importance of supporters having a big stake holding
in their club has been proven time and again, and we are most certainly future
proofing during these good times. Despite hitting an 80% take up level with
some new ideas and initiatives we hope to extend the reach of the 50/50 and
match-day draws still further in the future”.
Over £40,000 in prize money has been won by
supporters over the last two seasons, with in excess of 175 winners to date.