The Committee met this week to discuss the impact of Covid-19 on the club’s budget for next season. For several years now, teams have benefitted from winter training on all-weather pitches. Those that have been involved with the club for a while will remember the poorly lit mud-baths we had to contend with previously. However, this comes at a high cost – an eye-watering c£14k per year! So far, we have been able to subsidise the majority of this cost – via the income generated by the successful tournament we host each year – rather than charge higher membership fees. Unfortunately, the cancellation of the 2020 Summer Tournament has left a large hole in our finances.

To overcome this funding pressure, options available to us included stopping winter training on all-weather pitches and using the existing grass pitches and floodlights; or increase membership fees to cover the deficit. Neither of these options seem palatable. Quality training through the winter is essential; and given the far-reaching economic impacts of Covid-19, it does not feel right to be increasing our fees.

With this in mind, our Treasurer has been wearing out his calculator, and we believe that – as long as we can host a tournament again next summer – we have enough money in the bank to cover the outgoings usually funded by the tournament for next season. These include league registrations, kit, insurance, coaching, welfare and first aid courses, amongst many other things, without the need to increase membership fees.

Therefore, we are pleased to confirm that membership fees for all youth and junior teams next season will be frozen and remain at £160. Prices for Under 4’s–Under 6’s will also be frozen at last year’s prices, as will Walking Football.

The only exception will be for the Men’s teams, where membership will have a minimal increase of £5.

Payments can either be made as a single credit or debit card transaction, or alternatively there will be the option to spread the cost (interest-free) over 2, 4 or 6 months via direct debit.

There will be a further update from the Club to confirm when the payment window will open, with first payments required by the end of July.

We remain conscious that this crisis may have impacted some more than others. If you are concerned that you will struggle to make these payments, please get in touch with your Head Of Age or a Committee Member, so we can help to find a solution. We would love to see every player back in Burghfield blue again when the season starts.

Obviously, this is all based on the assumption that grassroots football will be allowed to resume in the autumn. We will continue to follow Government and FA guidelines, and if things do change, we will of course review the situation again.