H1987 wrote:I like to think we're active in looking for sponsorship, but who knows really. I do think at some point, if we want to progress, we need to look at having some employees rather than volunteers to push these avenues for us. It's all well and good having a little booklet for sponsors that can be found on the website, and another entirely having someone actively contacting existing sponsors, local businesses etc and drumming up support. That takes serious time and effort, and i'm loathe to criticise volunteers. My critical perspective is that we need to invest off the field before continuing to chuck money on it.
Its a difficult one this. Chicken & Egg. To attract someone decent, you will need to offer them a decent salary plus commission.
Can the club afford that salary? Will there be enough sponsorship to pay that person and leave the club in profit?
Remember the costs of employing someone are not simply their wages, but also employer NI, pension contributions etc
It is unlikely (but not impossible) that someone of suitable quality would work on a commission only basis ie as self employed
How many non league clubs employ full time fund raisers? I suspect at this level not many, if any, that are not bankrolled.
The bigger thing here is to build up relationships over time to get people to invest. Sadly with previous history, the club are starting off on the back foot in this respect. Its not impossible. Brad Groves at Spennymoor has now managed to get a number of decent sponsors but I know that has taken a lot of work and a lot of years after previous clubs financial issues.
That last point isone that people generally are not good at accepting. We all want instant results, but long term stability does not happen as a result of hasty actions