Target reached!
This will cover a larger amount of the dug-out cost, meaning the club will be able t...
AFC Cubo's Dugout Fund
London, England, United Kingdom
Aim
Our aim is to raise enough money to help us purchase two new permanent dugouts, key to the future survival of the club at it's current level
A little bit about us...
AFC Cubo were formed in 1999 by a group of Newcastle University graduates who had recently moved to London. The next 20 years have seen some incredible highs but also some struggles along the way.
The current situation
The club now fields two teams every Saturday, and has gone from strength to strength over recent years. Both teams were reigning champions of their respective leagues, the 1st XI Step 7's Surrey Elite Intermediate League and the 2nd XI Wimbledon & District's League 1. From the days of sweeping goose excrement off a muddy, uncut pitch in Barnes to the current fortress of the 4G pitch of the Aspire Center in Southfields, a lot has changed - however, this is now under threat.
The impact of Covid
The impact of the current crisis has been experienced by all and in a variety of ways - through losing friends & family, to stopping people from being able to enjoy the activities they enjoy.
As a club, we saw our season, in which both teams were looking to mount a title challenge and the 1st XI about to play in the London Senior Trophy Final, come to an abrupt halt. We have not been able to offer our training sessions to young persons across London each Thursday evening, in what must be the most affordable hour of high quality football you can find within Zones 1/2. As a club that's whole ethos is based upon allowing those who want to build friendships while also providing a competitive and active environment, it has been hard for that to suddenly stop without any prior warning.
Financially, although a not-for-profit organisation, we have been unable to bring in the amount of money that we had predicted, down around £500 from last season. This means that we do not have the reserves to help purchase new equipment while enabling cash flow to help us continue to play and train at our facilities.
Why do we need your support?
As mentioned earlier, we have improved our facilities over recent years, at the request of our league and allowing our members to play the level of football they deserve. Although we have met most of the criteria, we are still yet to fulfill the requirement of having permanent and fit for purpose dugouts. Without these, there are two options (neither of which are desirable or sustainable):
1. Withdraw from the Surrey Elite League - dropping down a level and likely lose a high percentage of our ~50 strong members. Putting the future of the club at risk.
2. Move to a ground that meets the criteria - the only option being a ground share that costs an extra £150 per week and would only be a short term fix.
That is why we are asking our members and the wider community to help us continue to function as a club at the level that we have proven we belong at.
Where is your money going?
The club is focusing on purchasing two robust but portable 6 seater dugouts, in the style shown below:
These will meet the league requirements and also be able to be stored at the Aspire Centre safely and used as when needed.
Who is it for?
The main use of the dugouts will be for our club, the two teams that we field, but with there being multiple other sport's clubs and local charities, such as the Chelsea FC Foundation, using the Aspire's facilities, these dugouts will used by a variety of people, predominately helping improve the facilities for young persons as they look to become more active and play sport.
Anything you can do to help would be massively appreciated.
Thanks from all current Cubans.
Sport England: Active Together has provided £1,000 of match funding
This project successfully funded on 20th July 2020