TO ‘strike while the iron’s hot’ is often seen as a deal clincher in business cricles. At Farnborough FC right now, the iron’s not so much hot but on absolute flames!
Newly promoted under long-serving manager Spencer Day, ‘Boro’ are a club on the crest of a wave at the moment. A run of just one defeat in 16 matches has left the Hampshire Senior Cup holders on the cusp of the National League South play-off places with games in hand on their rivals.
Off-the-field, things are equally as encouraging. A 25-year lease extension to their slick 6,500-seater Easy As HGV Stadium has opened a whole lot of doors for this proud, historic Hampshire club, with dreams of added development and a new 3G pitch very much at the forefront.
“With the new lease in place, it makes the club a very attractive proposition,” said owner Rob Prince.
“The club has been a National League club before and with a stadium worthy of a higher league, it has the infrastructure to get into the Football League in the future.
“However, if we were to get promoted then we would not be able to sustain a challenge in the National League. In order to play comfortably at National League South and be competitive in the division above then we would need to branch out and do something different.
“The opportunity for growth is there but we need more help in the form of new partners/shareholders if we are to move forward with the best intentions at heart for the football club.”
Indeed, Prince revealed that interest in the football club has been received from as far afield as Canada and the USA – and it’s easy to see why.
A commuter belt town situated 33 miles south west of central London, Farnborough is home to an ever-expanded business airport and the second largest International Airshow in the world.
It’s not just the Home of Aviation where things are really starting to take off, however, the football club are certainly going places too.
Central to their plans for bright new future is a 3G pitch at its Cherrywood Road home, as has become a popular business model for ambitious Non-League clubs up and down the country.
Indeed, the current clamour and ever-increasing waiting list for 3G pitches don’t fall in line with Farnborough FC’s fast-thinking ambitions so Prince and his team must go it alone.
“We need to get to the top of the curve, we’ll get left behind if we don’t have 3G,” said the owner, who has totally restructured the club finances to leave it debt-free.
“That kind of facility opens doors to the community. Through our Community Trust, we have started a new ladies team, who will train and play in the stadium, along with our academy sides and Mini Kickers. Our Under 23s are playing in London at the moment, we’ll be bringing them back home too.
“On average, it is believed a new 3G pitch brings in between £150,000 and £250,000 a year. That pays player salaries in National League South. The outlay is scary.
“And then there’s the other side of it. The recent run of postponements in December and January cost the club an estimated £20,000 in lost revenue. Climate change means that will only get worse so we need to be ahead of the game and lay a surface that can withstand the rigours of the British winter.”
But it’s not just the 3G pitch which can provide the club with potential revenue streams. Discussions are currently ongoing to turn the car park into an electric car charging point, while an area underneath the impressive 1,350-seater Prospect Road End stand has been earmarked for development.
Prince admits he is open to any investment opportunities and says he will do whatever is required for the benefit of the club going forward.
“If I’m honest, I don’t really want to sell the club completely,” he added. “I love it here and I feel the project is not finished so I would prefer investors.
“But, I will not be selfish, it’s about what is best for the club and if someone comes in with a clear vision of how to lead the club into the future then I will step aside if it is the right thing to do for the club.
“We will be looking at two kinds of investments; firstly to bring on board shareholders to become custodians of the club with us, and secondly, offering shares to those who want to help fund the 3G.
“Either way, I think we all agree that with the recent success on the field and vision for the future off it, there are certainly exciting times ahead.”
If any genuinely interested party would like to be involved as investors, part owners or even a full takeover, then please contact [email protected].
