IN an effort to ensure the future of Crediton United AFC, the Club Chairman, Dr Rod Hawker, has issued an appeal to ensure the club’s financial future.

In a letter to supporters he writes: “It is an open secret that the costs of running a football such as ours has spiralled over the last few years - and most especially since the Covid outbreak.

“Despite this we have tried to keep costs to players and supporters as low as possible as we know the same increased costs have affected their lives also, and we don’t want to price out anyone’s support or involvement in our Club.

“We have made significant reductions in costs where we have some control, but there are many that we simply cannot control.

“Last season’s rising costs especially hit us hard, and we cannot continue without increasing our revenues.

“Just to stage one home match (we have four teams this season), our income has to take account of all the costs involved:

Ground lease; Referees Fees; Changing room and ground buildings maintenance; Utility costs (electricity, water, etc); Pitch maintenance costs (line-marking painting, tractor fuel and maintenance, weed killing, grass-seeding, verti-draining, floodlights up-keep, etc); Kit washing; Post-match hospitality.

“These costs amount to very substantial figures. As an example, our two-year service of floodlights alone amounted to just under £8,000 in 2024 (£4,000 per year) - that price has not gone down and it is now 2026 and another service is due!

“Our first team costs are partly cushioned by charging an entry free; income from the match day 50:50 draw; and profits from the tea shed. Our other teams match day income currently only benefits from tea-shed sales.

“Whenever possible, on matchdays this season we will have to engage in some form of additional income generation of all teams. Charging at the gate appears an unpopular option, but if needs be, we cannot dismiss it - our Club’s future is at stake.

“May I thank you n advance for any support you can provide on match days in our various attempts to help meet our costs, whether it be via a collection, a draw or some other method (match-ball sponsorship, player sponsorship etc)

“We are determined to ensure we remain a financially viable football club with the means to maintain and develop our facilities for the present and future generations.

“I hope you will feel able to help us achieve this.”

The Club has also issued an appeal for help for people to support the club by becoming a club member.

Membership application forms are available on match days from Club Officers.

Playing and Ordinary Membership prices are £30 per annum and other levels for Vice-Presidents and Life Members are available.

Match day volunteers are also being sought.

This includes the positions of Entry Gate Keeper, Tea Shed Operator, Draw Ticket Selling and Money Collection for Donations (2nd, Women’s and Vet’s home team games).

The more people it has helping on match days means less frequently any one person will have to undertake the tasks.

It adds that income from roles such as selling tickets and undertaking a match-day collection will greatly help the Club in its efforts towards financial survival and future development.

Club President Dave Blanchford also appealed for people to support it financially, in-person, and to attend matches to support the players.