We’ll be back!

Melksham Town FC looks forward to life post-lockdown

MELKSHAM Town FC’s chairman, Darren Perrin, has vowed that the club will return stronger than ever as life begins to return to normal following the coronavirus pandemic.

Prior to the lockdown the future was looking promising for Melksham Town with a potential spot in the Southern League Division One play-offs and numerous bookings to use the club’s facilities at Oakfields. 

However, in response to the pandemic the season was declared null and void by the FA, and bookings at the club’s ground were forced to be postponed or cancelled, leaving the club with an uncertain financial future.

But following an appeal, the community raised over £10,000 to help towards the daily running costs of the club – and with lockdown restrictions now beginning to ease, the club is preparing to make its return.

“We will be back!” said club chairman Darren Perrin speaking to Melksham News. “The club has been running for 144 years, we can’t not come back. But we need you, our supporters. When we do re-open please do come and use our facilities, come and support the team.

“We’ve been through a very tough time. Since the beginning of March we have had  no income – no match day income or business income. We had two or three weddings booked, numerous parties and we were planning for the 2020 Euros. The pandemic has crippled us – we’ve been fortunate with one or two grants from the government. But it’s the supporters, the support from them has been flabbergasting – it has shocked me. 

“The response we have had to our JustGiving page has been phenomenal. The page is still open, and every little contribution helps. 

“Speaking on behalf of the committee and the football club in general, thank you, thank you, thank you very much to the community for everything it has done for this football club – I can’t emphasise that enough.

“We are grateful and totally indebted to you for the support in these horrendous times. All the money raised will go to pitch ground maintenance, utility costs, and other expenses to keep the club running – not one penny will go towards players’ wages or the playing budget.

“As well as the kind generosity of the community, we will also rely very heavily on the kind generosity of our sponsors.”

Looking ahead to the next season, Darren said, “There’s lots to be done around the grounds to get it all ready for the new season, whenever that may be. 

“The manager, Richard Fey, will be looking to strengthen the team in one or two areas – but Richard is very loyal to his players, and he really enjoyed working with the players he had at the end of the last season, so I think he wants to keep the majority of the team and give them another opportunity in the upcoming campaign.

“The club was bitterly disappointed about how the last season finished. There was a spark where we thought we could make the play-offs – and that would have been a great achievement. But at the time it was certainly the right decision. Hopefully we can recreate some of this magic in the next season.”

Despite the lack of action on the pitch, off the pitch the club has been busy supporting the community during lockdown. Darren said, “We’re very proud that some members of our committee, and some of our supporters have gone out into the community to support the elderly, and some of our own elderly supporters – helping out with shopping and other tasks. One of our supporters Barry Hollaway raised a considerable amount of money with his son and gave hampers to the NHS and to other charity workers. 

“I think that sums up what the club is about – we are a very much a community football club – anything that we can do to help, we certainly will do.”

“And finally, please stay safe and well – we will see you back whenever that may be – the Black and Yellow family will return stronger than ever.”

To make a donation to the club, visit: www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/ blackandyellowfamily