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Brid Town turn down promotion
IT WAS possibly the worst-kept secret in Bridlington sporting circles.
But Bridlington Town have now officially confirmed they will not be taking promotion to the UniBond League Division One North.
Despite winning the Northern Counties East League Premier Division by a country mile, the Seasiders will not make the step up and will instead aim to defend their title.
In a statement sent to the Free Press, Town chairman Peter Smurthwaite said promotion would lead to travelling costs doubling and the club would need to raise at least 25,000 per season.
He confirmed that the club was confident the decision would not result in key players or the management team leaving Queensgate and that the club could not afford to 'live the dream' of UniBond football.
Mr Smurthwaite's statement read; "The main reason is due to the additional cost of travel and players expenses to cover the increased mileage to away games which would be approximately double what we currently travel.
"This increased cost would be at least 25,000 and despite making various requests for additional sponsorship we have not received any significant financial offers of support.
"Having rescued the club from financial disaster once we do not intend to get into that situation again and although the club's finances are much improved there are still debts such as a long term loan from the brewery still being paid off and we are just managing to keep our heads above water at present.
"There are three main streams of income at the club being gate money on match days, revenue from the Supporters Club bar and Sponsorship.
"The gates have not increased to match our highest level of 250 in season 2003 when we won this division previously but have been an improvement on our last two season in the UniBond League.
"Despite various initiatives to entice new fans to matches we are still left with an hardcore group of about 120 fans.
"Televised football which is available virtually seven days a week has had a massive impact on gates at non-league matches in recent years and also affected the attitudes of young people towards watching football.
"The situation at Hull City being a prime example with an increase in new fans having wanted to watch Premiership football rather than their local teams.
"We have also had a good following at a lot of our away games over the last two seasons which did not happen in the UniBond League.
"With regard to sponsorship unfortunately the five year deal we had with our ground sponsor Lane Rental Services Ltd has now finished and due to the economic climate is not being renewed this coming season which means a substantial loss of revenue.
"Our shirt sponsor DeSigns Ltd have – already agreed to continue our sponsorship for the coming season and we thank Rob Daysley for his support.
"We have only had 25% of our home matches sponsored this season and some of our pitchside advertising board sponsors cancelled their agreements this season and we cannot see the situation improving if we go into the UniBond League.
"In keeping with many other licensed premises around the country we have seen a decline in income in the Supporters' Club with the lowest turnover this season since I have been at the club.
"With more people choosing to drink at home and communicating through the various internet and forum sites this affects the numbers who want to come and discuss football and club affairs over a pint and enjoy the social banter.
"The additional revenue from the Scarborough Athletic ground sharing arrangement has only allowed us to make up for the shortfall we have incurred on sponsorship and bar sales and even their gates have gradually declined over the season.
"There is some light at the end of the tunnel because the FA have started to discuss re-organising the UniBond League into an East West split rather than North South because they realise the current situation is not helping the clubs.
"This would mean we would be able to go into a league with such as Goole AFC, Brigg Town, Lincoln Utd, Sheffield FC and others with a much more sensible travelling structure.
"We are hoping to retain the current management and playing squad for next season after the fantastic season this group have just given us, but this can only be done on the strength of a sound financial backing to the club which we have at present and we cannot afford to 'live the dream' of UniBond or Conference football and the risks that go with it."
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Weather for Bridlington
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -0 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 14 mph
Wind direction: South
Tomorrow
Cloudy
Temperature: -4 C to 3 C
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