SPARTAN South Midlands League Premier Division side Colney Heath FC have earned more than £3,500 from 1000GBP.com by being nominated as a benefiting Non-League club.
They have been chosen by an incredible 79 people who have signed up to take part in The Ultimate Football Quiz after they were first encouraged to get involved by their new first-team manager Matty Day.
Chairman Richard Smith explained: “Matty and Tommy Burns took over as our new management team at the start of the season and have created a great vibe around the club,” he said.
“They are always looking for ways to bring everyone together so the new 1000GBP.com football quiz is perfect as we are all very competitive with each other and, of course, it helps enormously with our fundraising.”
Richard has lived in the village for 25 years and, having first become involved with the club when his son joined the Under 10’s, he filled many different roles before taking over as chairman of the club a year ago.
“We run three men’s senior teams, one women’s side and multiple junior teams so we rely enormously on the goodwill and support of all our amazing fans and volunteers,” Richard said.
“We have an average gate of around 100 with a core group of long-standing supporters as well as some from further afield such as Leighton Buzzard and Biggleswade. We take maybe £200 to £300 on the gate on a good day which usually covers the fees for the matchday officials.”
With ticket prices at £8 for an adult, £5 concessions and £3 for junior, Colney Heath FC is a very affordable team to watch but, as with so many other clubs this season, the recent weeks of exceptionally wet weather have caused chaos for their fixture list.
“I think we only managed three matches in February,” Richard added. “And that can affect the crowd size as we have to reschedule matches at short notice and during the week, as well as weekends. There are so many variables and that, of course, has an impact on our income and how we run the teams.”
COLNEY HEATH WELCOME CASH BONUS BONANZA
In 2022-23, the first team avoided relegation on the final day but are having a much better season under their new management and are currently in 10th place. Richard is hopeful for a tophalf finish.
“We are all delighted with the progress made so far this season under Matty and Tommy,” he said. “They have built an exciting and dynamic young team loaded wi
