By John Baron
Farsley Celtic have made an urgent appeal to help safeguard the future of the National League North club.
The Celts haven’t played a home game in Farsley since last April due to delays in installing as 4G pitch at the Citadel. The delays have resulted in Farsley playing ‘home’ fixtures almost 70 miles away in Buxton, Derbyshire.
Last week the club confirmed chairman Paul Barthorpe had stepped down from the football club side of the business, with directors Paul Glover, Josh Greaves, John Stubbs and Jon Wickham taking over the running of the club.
Last night The Celts launched a crowdfunding campaign to raise £25,000, with funds used to support running costs until the end of the current season, and to help re-lay a grass pitch at the ground.
In a statement, the board said: “We’ve played the past ten months without any home games due to delays on installing a new pitch. As a result we have had very little revenue, which has led to severe financial challenges.
“This leaves us facing a battle to get through the rest of the season.
“As a board we are working hard to generate income commercially and from other sources, but we need help with our running costs to help get us through the season and ensure a bright future for Farsley Celtic.
“We’re confident we can get there if we all – supporters, the wider community and local businesses – come together to make it happen.”
They added: “A donation – even £1, or whatever you can afford – will be a massive help towards securing the club’s immediate future.”
The club, which appointed its fourth men’s first team manager of the season in David Stockdale last week, has also confirmed that it is looking to lay a grass pitch at The Citadel.
“Planning permission for a 4G pitch has been obtained and our long-term goal is to implement that plan,” a statement on club media added. “But the board’s aim is to get a playable pitch down as soon as possible to get football back at The Citadel and ensure the club’s immediate future.”
Make a donation
The club has set up an online crowdfunder and donations can be made here.
Open meeting
Supporters, members of the community and anyone interested in Farsley Celtic are being cordially invited to a meeting with the club’s board next Friday (February 21).
The meeting follows a meeting with supporters’ club members last Thursday and will see the board provide an update on the club following the departure of the chairman last week.
It will be held in the clubhouse on Friday (February 21) at 7pm. The bar will also be open on the evening.
The Celts currently sit third from bottom in the National League North.
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