18thjuly03

Ambitious Bromley plan for commercial department to help promotion push
Ambitious Ryman League Division One South outfit Bromley are looking to form a new Commercial Department to help fund their push for promotion back into the Ryman Premier Division at the end of this season, writes Stephen McCartney.

Chairman Jerry Dolke has asked Jim Brown, Supporters Club Chairman, to run the Club Shop and generate funds so manager Stuart McIntyre can fulfil a top two finish and win promotion back into the Ryman League top flight.

Brown will resign from his Supporters Club chairman post at the Bromley Football Supporters Club (BFSC) Annual General Meeting at the club's Hayes Lane base next Thursday, 24 July (8pm).

All funds generated from Club Shop sales and post match raffles will go straight into Bromley Football Club Funds. Funds raised through these methods last season went into BFSC funds which paid for equipment for the pitch and minor ground
improvements.
 
Acting BFSC secretary, Jack Freeman acknowledges the Supporters Club will have no future - or income - when the Commercial Department takes over from the Supporters Club. Freeman said: "The Football Club wants to take over the running of the Club Shop, to increase its potential, and the post match raffles. This will leave the Supporters Club with virtually no income apart from members fees' and interest earned on any capital held in a building society. This level of income would barely cover the administration costs running the Supporters Club."

Freeman continued: "The events happening are a threat to the very existence of the Supporters Club.
"A further problem is that the Supporters Club have a constantly falling membership and a very low level of volunteers to serve on the committee. Our Supporters Club chairman Jim Brown has been asked to run the shop and help in other commercial activities at the Football Club and is resigning from the Supporters Club committee. Secretary, Mark Twydell (personal problems) and David Wells are also resigning. This leaves the Supporters Club committee short of at least three members. I know we are always plugging away at this, but we need new blood, new ideas and a fresh outlook on things if we are to find new ways of raising money for the Football Club."

The current Supporters Club, reformed on the 28th July 1978, blossomed in its early days and they ran coaches to away games, re-opened and ran a Club Shop as well as run darts and football teams and built a kitchen in the old clubhouse.
But a fire in October 1992 and November 5th 1992, Bromley's Centenary Year, burnt down the main stand, including the kitchen and clubhouse, and the club was forced to play its games away from Hayes Lane for one year. Games were played at Dulwich Hamlet, Croydon and even once at Walton & Hersham, which put the club's future in doubt.
As Bromley lost their home, they also lost many supporters and this caused a decline in membership of the Supporters Club.

After many years in decline, Jerry Dolke took over the running of the Hayes Lane club in 2001 and brought fresh enthusiasm, new sponsors and ambition to the club.

After finishing in sixth place in the Ryman League Division One South last season, and lifting the London Senior Cup at the end of April, Stuart McIntyre is confident he can guide Bromley back into the Premier Division.

Jim Brown, quitting his post as Supporters Club Chairman, gave his views why he will be working for Dolke in the new Commercial Department.

Brown said: "The rest of the committee as far as I am concerned still want the Supporters Club to continue, but in what capacity? "It will be up to any new members wishing to join the Supporters Club committee because you can't run a committee with the three people that are presently remaining.

"I have very much enjoyed my time on the committee but after nine years serving the Supporters Club, and Jerry's offer to run the Commercial Club Shop it was time for me to move forward with the Football Club.

"I am looking forward to working with Jerry Dolke (chairman) and Paul Greenwood (vice chairman) with this new venture.
"They will both give me full support within the club shop, financial needs for stock and there will be more ranges of merchandise to suite all our supporters.
 
"I hope it will attract more supporters to the shop.  As soon as I have officially resigned from the Supporters Club committee, I will be working on ordering new merchandise.

"All proceeds will go directly into the Football Club funds", emphasised Brown. As football, even at Ryman League level, is commanded by money, Bromley will need to generate as much funds, like other clubs, to sign the players to fulfil
the dreams of ambitious chairman Jerry Dolke.

Maybe, the supporters who want the Supporters Club to remain, will see it will be in the club's best interest to break with tradition and give their full approval and support for the money-spinning initiative.

Stephen McCartney
www.kentishfootball.co.uk