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Daily Visitors Total From 10th June 2004 |
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Christmas Boost's For Bicester - 23rd December
Struggling Hellenic League side Bicester Town have received two much needed Christmas boost’s after its recent struggles with Bicester Sports Association (BSA) which threatened the club's existence.
Healthcare & Business Consultancy, Pharmedica Ltd, have agreed to a significant two and a half year sponsorship deal that will see them become one of Bicester Town’s Key Strategic Partners, as well as the Clubs new Shirt Sponsor for the 2010/11 & 2011/12 seasons. The value of the sponsorship has not been disclosed by the club but it is accepted that Bicester Town FC is now in a much healthier financial position than was reported in the media over recent weeks. Club Treasurer John Clutterbuck stated; “the club is delighted that Pharmedica has pledged its support to the club, it is now well documented that the club has struggled in the past with its finances but with the support of local businesses like Pharmedica we are feeling more confident that Bicester Town FC can continue to provide the town with football entertainment as well as a place for the community within the Social Club”.
The second boost has been a few weeks in development but the club have now successfully formed a working party of local business men and women that will help re-structure and develop the social, commercial and community aspects of the club. Since the resignation of Club Secretary Nick Harverson in November the club has been running with only three committee members. For a club the size of Bicester Town it was acknowledged that this was not enough man power and that more expertise was required to ensure that Bicester Town Sports & Social Club, and the football club, remained and developed its involvement in the community. The working party consists of Directors from local businesses such as Bicester Community Times, The Online Print Company, Bicester Community Twinning and Pharmedica Ltd to name a few.
Ryan Anderton of The Online Print Company commented: “Bicester Town FC is the premier senior football club in the town and with the club now able to put the past problems behind it, it is an ideal time for the club to push forward and become an important aspect of life in Bicester”. Adding: “From January 2010 the club is looking to hold live music/comedy events from its Function Hall, was offering free entry to Under 16’s and has plans in place to become more self-reliant”.
Finally, Kevin Leach (Director of Football) would like to thank everyone that has supported the club both in terms of match day attendance and in assisting with the clubs fund raising which has ensured the clubs short term future. The club would like to invite any local businesses to become supporters of the club and benefit from the growing profile of their local football club.
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On The Brink - 4th December
Bicester Town’s former secretary Nick Harverson has urged the club’s landlords to hold an open meeting to help resolve the crisis threatening the Premier Division club’s future.
On Monday, Town held a meeting after the club were threatened with eviction by the Bicester Sports Associa-tion, if they did not come up with a one-off payment of £3,500 towards the £9,000 they owed to the organisation. That was despite the club raising £3,000 and a mystery duo pledging a total of £6,000. “We made them an offer to pay off part of the money,” said Harverson, who resigned over the issue. “So the ball is now in their court. We can make the first payment, but will they give us the time? Are they still going to send us to the wall for £9,000. I would love to see them hold an open meeting as we have to get this sorted out. We want to come to an arrangement with the BSA – there needs to be some compromise. If nothing is done then is a serious threat that the club could fold. Old Woodstock Town also play at our ground so there are broader implications for sport in the town.
BSA chairman Adam Wade said: “We don’t want to close any club down. What we want to do is ensure that the users of our facilities pay for the usage, which is already heavily subsidised by us.”
The BSA were last night due to hold their monthly this week, where the issue was expected to be discussed.
Meanwhile, on the field, tomorrowBicester, host Marlow United looking for their first league victory of the season.
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Bicester Town FC Open Meeting - 24th November
Bicester Town have circulated a Press Release in respect of the ongoing situation regarding tenure of the ground.
PRESS RELEASE 10/09-10 – 23 November 2009
Members, Friends and supporters of Bicester Town Football Club will be invited to an open meeting on Monday 30 November to discuss the threatened winding up of the Club following the receipt of a letter from solicitors acting for the Bicester Sports Association which has prompted Club Secretary Nick Harverson to resign “in disgust”.
“I am worn out by the whole affair” stated Nick. “We have worked so hard to keep the Club going and latterly have received great support from the community in our appeal, but it is clear to me that the BSA just want us off the land. Clearly this will make the land more attractive to prospective purchasers and they have made no secret of their desire to sell”
Solicitors acting for the BSA have demanded a one off payment of £3,500 to be paid into their bank by 30 November followed by regular payments of £700 per month until the debt of c£9,000 is cleared
Club Treasurer John Clutterbuck is scathing in his condemnation of these terms. “The BSA is aware that we have an appeal underway and, indeed are monitoring it on our website. It is cynical in the extreme that the initial amount that their solicitors are demanding actually exceeds the amount which they know has been committed by supporters thus far.” He added “the appeal is continuing to generate interest, however it takes time to build up a head of steam – I actually believe that they do not want us to succeed.”
John Clutterbuck cites the recent account statements the Club has received from the Association as a sign of “wholly deplorable practice and bad faith”. “For the first time they have started to add in future charges whilst failing to deduct the future income we are guaranteed from the Ground Share agreement with Old Woodstock Town. Furthermore they are reserving the right to charge interest on these “outstanding amounts” – some might form the opinion that this is the sort of sharp practice more befitting a loan shark than an Association which acts for Private Association supposedly there to promote local sport”.
Nick Harverson has written an open letter to the people of Bicester regarding the role of the BSA and its impact on sport in the Town. “There needs to be an open debate about the role of the Association. The people of Bicester need to know what is going on – I believe that they are entitled to answers. The issues of accountability and land ownership go far beyond Bicester Town Football Club. There are many people watching what is going on here and will judge the Town by its actions.”
“It is with immense sadness that I am quitting and I feel that I am letting a lot of people down, however, I can give no more – I have neither the time, energy or money to keep fighting a position where one organisation supposedly representing Bicester seems determined to see the demise of another.”
Nick’s final act as Secretary will be to host the Open meeting at the Club.
**************************************ENDS*******************************************
Notes:
BTFC has been in existence for over 130 years. It currently has two teams playing at the Oxford Road ground. A senior side which plays in the Hellenic League Premier Division and an U15 boys side which plays in the Witney and District Youth League
The Club’s facilities are used by a range of agencies, Clubs and individuals for private functions. The Club’s closure would lead to the cancellation of bookings and the loss of a social facility for the Town.
Brookstreet des Roches of Milton Park Abingdon, who act for the Bicester Sports Association, are “specialists in commercial real estate”
The above statement text and viewpoints are that of Bicester Town FC and have been published in full without addition or editing.
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Bicester Worries - 20th November
Bicester Town has received a letter from the Solicitors acting for the Bicester Sports Association. Club Secretary Nick Haverson commented: "It is quite clear in my mind that they want us off the land as they continue to impose wholly unrealistic terms, even the immediate lump sum requested is just above the amount the appeal has raised, a fact they are aware of."
"The letter will be published on our website and I will probably call an open meeting to discuss the future. Whilst there could be more twists and turns, I cannot fight this anymore and will be quitting. I have given more than can reasonably be expected and if this is how one Bicester organisation treats another then the Town has hit rock bottom. I have a nasty feeling that there is more to this than meets the eye. I cannot see the Club surviving and this has implications for Old Woodstock who would not be in a postion to take over the facilities."
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The Famous Fifty Gather Pace - 23rd October
In order to generate funds to meet our publicised debt to the Private Trust who own the pitch and facilities which the Club use, the Club has launched a “Famous Fifty” appeal, details of which can be found on the website:
www.bicestertownfc.com
Club Secretary, Nick Harverson explained:
“The Famous Fifty idea was something we came up with to find some way of friends of the Club helping us meet some of the £9,000 debt we owe the Bicester Sports Association at a more acceptable speed to the Association.”
“Basically we are asking 50 people to commit to giving us £10 a month over 6 months. This will give us a third of the amount we need and buy us more time to generate other funds. As it happens, a few of those who have come forward already have promised us more than £60, which is tremendous. Clearly the more we can pay off the better. All the funds are going into a separate account entitled “The Famous Fifty” and will be fully accounted for and applied to the BSA debt.”
Nick added “Given the current economic climate and the number of extremely worthy causes which are under severe pressure at the moment, I recognise that supporting the Town’s senior Football Club may not seem a priority. However, it would be desperately sad were the Club to fold after over 130 years of proudly representing the Town. If we can find a “Famous Hundred – all the better”
You can follow progress on the website which also includes details of how to support the appeal.
Nick Harverson can be contacted for comment on 07973 384306
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Foxhunters Under Threat - 17th October
Bicester Town football club has been part of the community for 130 years and is under threat over a £9,000 debt.
Bicester Sports Association (BSA), which owns football and rugby pitches off Oxford Road, Bicester, has issued a legal notice asking Bicester Town Football Club to pay the debt within 60 days. But the club, which has 40 players in two teams, said it did not have the money. The club is also claiming BSA has about £1.5m in the bank as well as land assets and does not need the debt paid urgently.
Club secretary Nick Haverson, pictured with one of the letters they have had from Bicester Sports Association, said: “If we are evicted we cannot go elsewhere. We have to have that standard of ground. I cannot see a good resolution. All I can see is brink-manship of the worst kind. This will force the club out and that will be horrendous for sport. Here’s an organisation with millions of pounds in assets forcing us out because we owe £9,000. I don’t wish to underplay £9,000, but that’s perverse and I think it’s shameful they should be doing this to the football club. They seem to be more about making money than promoting sport. At the moment we are barely breaking even. All we will be able to offer them is £150 a month.”
When a new committee took over running the club in 2006 it owed £34,000, which included about £9,000 owed to the brewery which supplies its beer, £7,000 in electricity bills and £9,000 in rent. So far, that figure has been reduced by about £10,000. Annual fees of about £3,500 are paid directly to the BSA. Mr Haverson said: “We made improvements to their asset. We have been acting in good faith and given commitment to a sustainable football club. We have taken steps over the last few years to reduce costs. We don’t pay players, we don’t pay ourselves, we do it for the love of the sport.” He added if the club folded the loan would never be repaid and the town would lose its football club altogether.
BSA chairman Adam Wade said it was inappropriate to comment on financial matters concerning clubs. He said: “Bicester Sports Association is run by volunteers who provide facilities for sports users at no cost to the local taxpayer. Our sole source of income is through charging for the use of our facilities. Failure by any user club to pay for their usage puts additional strain on our ability to provide sport for other user clubs.”
Article printed in th Oxford Mail - 16th October
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Bicester Can Escape Drop - 16th October
Chris Hurley is confident the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division strugglers can escape the drop.
Hurley, 42, has taken over a side which has yet to win a game this season, following the departure last month of Paul Berry. He is now preparing for tomorrow’s home game against Almondsbury Town. “I think we can stay up,” said Hurley, who last season coached at Abingdon Town. If I didn’t think we could stay up I would never have taken the job. My aim is to finish above the bottom four and then rebuild from there.”
Hurley, who was at Bicester as a youngster, added: “Almondsbury is not the easiest of starts, but I don’t have any fears about it. "I want us to stop conceding silly goals and hopefully get a win.”
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 Hurley Steps Up To The Plate - 15th October
Bicester Town of the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division have announced the appointment of Chris Hurley as its new first team manager with immediate effect.
Director of Football Kevin Leach stated “Chris is a well qualified coach with a wealth of Hellenic League experience. His passion for the game and knowledge of the local scene was impressive and I believe that he will give it everything to turn around our fortunes on the pitch”.
Club Secretary Nick Harverson added “Once again we were flattered by the quality of the applicants. Chris has been made well aware of the ongoing problems surrounding the Club, however he is a determined character who will contribute a lot to the Club.”
On hearing of his appointment, Chris Hurley commented “This is a great opportunity for me and I am really pleased to take up the position. There is a big challenge ahead, but one I shall put everything into it”
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Manager Sought - 30th September
Bicester Town Football Club are looking for a new Manager/Management Team to succeed Paul Berry. Applicants are invited to register their interest with Club Secretary Nick Harverson by e-mail at: nick.h.btcfc@btinternet.com
Applicants are requested to enclose a c.v. highlighting skills and qualities which they would bring to the position. The closing date is 6pm on Wednesday 7 October. The Club intends to arrange interviews at the earliest opportunity thereafter. Any individual wishing to find out more information regarding the Club is invited to visit the Club’s website which will be re-launched on 1 October www.bicestertownfc.com
Bicester Town Football Club, in association with The Online Print Company, are delighted to announce the re-launch of the Club’s website: www.bicestertownfc.com
“We have been working hard with our new match programme printer The Online Print Company over the past few weeks to provide a more user-friendly and up-to-date site”, explained Club Secretary Nick Harverson. “All Clubs need to be accessible to the community if they are to promote what they have to offer and attract support,” he continued, “we are really grateful to The Online Print Company for their input over the past few weeks, both in delivering the new website and in the production of a quality professional programme.”
On behalf of The Online Print Company, Ryan Anderton said, “I am delighted to be working in partnership with Bicester Town FC. We are looking to promote our business in the area and are willing to provide a quote for any Hellenic League Club who might be interested in our services.
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 Berry Goes - 27th September
Manager Paul Berry resigned after Bicester Town wasted a host of chances in front of goal and lost to struggling Division One West side, Trowbridge Town in the Blue Fin Insurance Brokers Hellenic Challenge Cup yesterday.
Despite a bright opening which saw strikers John Umney and Matt Blenford guilty of missing clear-cut chances, Bicester's defence backed off in the 20th minute to allow a well struck shot to beat keeper Jeff Simmonds from 20 yards. Barely a minute into the second half Bicester claimed in vain for an offside decision when their defence was pierced for a second time. With both sides struggling to establish any sense of rhythm in a poor second half the visitors secured a place in the 1st Round.
Club Secretary Nick Harverson has reacted angrily to the lack of commitment by some players which led to Berry's decision to quit. "I have great respect for Paul and fully understand his decision to step down. To be frank there are a number of players who have let themselves and Paul down over the past few weeks. Some of our play has been embarrassing and no amount of coaching can improve a lack of personal pride". |
Revival For Bicester - 21st June
New Bicester Town boss Paul Berry (pictured) is confident he can transform the fortunes of the club, after being appointed as Tim Fowler’s successor.
Bicester Town were reprieved from relegation from the FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division at Wednesday evening’s league AGM, due to the Football Association’s league restructure, and Berry said the news came as a tremendous boost.
The former Abingdon Town, Carterton and Ardley United boss said: “I joined Bicester with the idea that we would be in Division 1 next season, so to stay in the Premier Division is a massive fillip for us.”
Berry, an ex-Oxford United striker, had been out of management for more than two years due to work commitments, but says he is relishing getting back involved. “I just wanted to get back into management somewhere after a break of a couple of years,” he said. "There aren’t many teams in Oxfordshire that have the potential that Bicester have. I know I will have to start from scratch, but that’s the challenge. There will be no budget for players at the start, but I think there are a lot more clubs in the same situation this year. But hopefully, come August, I will be able to put out a competitive side, and I will be meeting with Kevin Leach (director of football) to discuss this."
“I think there is some talent at the club, but it’s all about getting a group of players to enjoy their football and work as a team. The first six games will be crucial. If we can get into the top half after six games, we will probably stay there. If we start badly, that puts the pressure on.”
After finishing third from bottom last season, Bicester were set for a season in Division 1 East, but the reprieve has given Berry a lot of hope. “I’m a competitive person, and I would want to win the league – that will be my aim. The club’s challenge to me is to stay in the Premier and to consolidate, but I will aim much higher than that.” |
Foxhunters Appoint New Manager - 10th June
FTL Futbol Hellenic League Premier Division Club Bicester Town, announce the appointment of Paul Berry as their new First Team Manager for the coming season, following the departure of Tim Fowler.
Chairman Nick Rowles-Davies was delighted at the level of interest shown in the position “We interviewed some quality candidates with significant managerial experience who would be able to hit the ground running and I am extremely pleased that Paul has accepted the job.”
The Club’s Director of Football, Kevin Leach, added, “Paul had a successful professional career with Oxford United and has a good managerial track record at other Hellenic League Premier Division Clubs. His knowledge and coaching skills will prove a great asset. I look forward to working with him.” |
 Bicester Seek New Manager - 1st June
FTL Hellenic Premier Division Club Bicester Town Football Club are looking for a new Team Manager following the decision of Tim Fowler to step down from the helm. Club Secretary Nick Harverson explained that Tim Fowler (pictured) felt the need for a break after 14 successive seasons in management and that he fully understood his reasons behind the decision. “Tim has been first rate at Bicester, his loyalty, passion for the game and knowledge cannot be faulted and I am sorry to see him go. On behalf of the Club, I have thanked him for his commitment and wished him the very best for the future”. The Club now wishes to hear from individuals who believe that they have the drive and aptitude to manage the Premier League side. “Managing a team at this level requires time and dedication together with the ability to motivate and attract good players” said Kevin Leach, Club Director of Football, “we would welcome applications from any individual who feels that they have the qualities we are seeking”. The Club is seeking to appoint somebody before the end of June. Expressions of interest are invited by the Club through e-mail to the Club Secretary Nick Harverson in the first instance. |
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