Widening The Appeal

[Insider]

FROM BALLOON BOY ON ASK THE CLUB

I've posted this elsewhere on NSC, but would be interested in the club's views:

1. The club needs to allow a way for GROUP fundraising activities, but not at the expense of the already announced scheme for individual donations;

2. We know the additional costs of the Enquiry are circa £200k - a sum which is huge, but could be a target for group fundraising activities;

3. We need to widen the appeal - loads of people may have been sympathetic to our cause, but there are obviously loads of more deserving causes out there. I would suggest, therefore, that any group activity had two aims (at least) - mainly the club, but also another worthy cause (eg: REMF, or, perhaps, raising money for a children's hospital or the like).

My idea is therefore - let's have a load of fundraising activities which are aimed at (a) paying the public enquiry costs, and (b) raising money for REMF (or whatever). Could I suggest aiming for a total pot of £250k, of which £25% would go to the good cause, and 75% to the Albion.

The advantages of using the REMF is (a) it's just after 9/11, (b) it highlights the sterling work already undertaken by Albion fans. However, it may not have the wide appeal which a children's charity would have.

If we set up something like this, then I for one would be able to get a load of friends/relatives involved, who frankly would not be that excited at the prospect of just donating money to the Albion.

The key issue, I think, is one of leadership.....if this is thought to be a worthwhile idea, I think the club somehow needs to endorse it, and help it on it's way.

 

[Insider]

There is nothing to stop supporters getting together to organise fund-raising activities - and we'd like to do it in conjunction with the club. What might be a good idea is to start a NSC thread on fund-raising ideas and come up with maybe three firm ideas. I'm quite happy to promote via club website, programme, Argus etc, etc.

Some ideas I and other have had; I would welcome feedback:

We could do a one-off fanzine incorporating all the old ones (Smith Must Score, Gulls Eye, Scars & Stripes). Thoughts welcome... all the old editors could get together for this. Charge a fiver for a bumper issue.

Something web-based. We've got loads of techie's amongst us. Could someone set up a photo album, Bennett Dean has agreed to give his pictures free for people to order prints.

Charity match. Someone suggested the 1983 Cup Final squad playing at Withdean, but what about getting the 1991 Play Off Team together to play the 1983 Cup Final team. Play the match at another venue (lower costs).

 

[Safeway]

Something very quick and easy would be another NSC meet-up.

The couple that I arranged cost nothing to host as it was just a case of getting a load of people in a room getting pissed and putting faces to names. The only difference this time would be a couple of buckets being passed around and perhaps something like a prize draw/raffle.

I don't mind organising another if people are up for it?

Might give the awards a miss this time, though.

 

[CHAPPERS]

As per my other thread.

A benefit gig.

I'm sure there are plenty of venues that would happily hold a gig incorporating some if the bands that reside in this town.

Racecourse? Coral stadium? Even the Concorde?

 

[Dave the OAP]

In my ignorance, isn't this something that the club should be concerning itself with. With the best will in the world, most of us work for a living and supporting Albion is a spare time activity!

However, Albion have individuals whose job is running the club day in day out.

As you know with the REMF days, the first year, interest was fantastic, but since then interest from Albion fans and people in general waned.

I feel the club must take a lead in this organise such things. We supporters are asked for a hell of a lot with Falmer letters marches etc etc

 

[Kinky Gerbil]

i think most people are up for a piss up

 

[Mustela Furo]

Fat Boy Slim Concert
Driving off an idea raised elsewhere on NSC, surely one great way of raising funds would be a concert at Withdean.

With Norman Cook as the headliner, plus other Albion supporting acts (Atilla, Skint artistes etc) + celebrity fans helping to compere (Jamie Theakston; Mark Williams etc).

If we have 7000 seats at Withdean plus another 5,000 standing that could be 12,000 bodies if we were to sell out.


£30 a ticket is not unreasonable for an open air concert and arguably you could charge £40.

12,000 x £40 = 480,000 ... deduct 80,000 for admin costs, stewarding, stadium hire etc and you have got £400,000 profit in one hit.


It would surely sell-out - witness the crowds that came to Norman's freebie at the beach a couple of years ago.


In fact if Withdean was unavailable, or capacity reduced because of heath and safety considerations, you could even have it somewhere like the showground at Ardingly and try to get even higher numbers there - it's a huge site with plenty of parking - you might get 30,000 there x £25 = £750,000 less costs !



Or even have it at Falmer on the proposed site!!!

 

[CHAPPERS]

Fat Boy Slim Concert
Driving off an idea raised elsewhere on NSC, surely one great way of raising funds would be a concert at Withdean.

With Norman Cook as the headliner, plus other Albion supporting acts (Atilla, Skint artistes etc) + celebrity fans helping to compere (Jamie Theakston; Mark Williams etc).

If we have 7000 seats at Withdean plus another 5,000 standing that could be 12,000 bodies if we were to sell out.


£30 a ticket is not unreasonable for an open air concert and arguably you could charge £40.

12,000 x £40 = 480,000 ... deduct 80,000 for admin costs, stewarding, stadium hire etc and you have got £400,000 profit in one hit.


It would surely sell-out - witness the crowds that came to Norman's freebie at the beach a couple of years ago.


In fact if Withdean was unavailable, or capacity reduced because of heath and safety considerations, you could even have it somewhere like the showground at Ardingly and try to get even higher numbers there - it's a huge site with plenty of parking - you might get 30,000 there x £25 = £750,000 less costs !



Or even have it at Falmer on the proposed site!!!

How about the Racecourse or the Coral Greyhound stadium, They've been supportive in the past??

 

[Insider]

In my ignorance, isn't this something that the club should be concerning itself with. With the best will in the world, most of us work for a living and supporting Albion is a spare time activity!

However, Albion have individuals whose job is running the club day in day out.

As you know with the REMF days, the first year, interest was fantastic, but since then interest from Albion fans and people in general waned.

I feel the club must take a lead in this organise such things. We supporters are asked for a hell of a lot with Falmer letters marches etc etc

I think you might have misread what I was saying. THIS IS something the club are concerning themselves with, but we're asking for suggestions for fund-raising ideas.

 

[Northstander]

Something very quick and easy would be another NSC meet-up.

The couple that I arranged cost nothing to host as it was just a case of getting a load of people in a room getting pissed and putting faces to names. The only difference this time would be a couple of buckets being passed around and perhaps something like a prize draw/raffle.

I don't mind organising another if people are up for it?

Might give the awards a miss this time, though.

For the draw, fill a small trooley with booze, go to local off licence and build up a load of bottles, tins etc. I have done this at work before and if the trolley if full you can make an absolute mint!!!!

Peoples eyes see the booze and they want to win it!!

 

[CHAPPERS]

How about a Brighton fans five a side tournament??

There must be plenty of teams that could get involved. I know the mighty AFC Lizard would put in an appearance? Could be run at stanley Deason, Portslade or somewhere. Wherever we could get the pitches for the cheapest. Even out at Stanmer Park possibly, across the road from Falmer??

 

[clapham_gull]

Wouldn't it sensible to set up the photo album via the club shop website ? You've got the financial and delivery side set up already ?

 

[Marc]

Picture With The Players:

Set at Withers or the Club Shop where you pay £1-£3 whatever to have a signed photo of you with a Player. Would'nt cost anything as you could easily use a DigiCam with someones Laptop & Portable printer. Different player each day for two weeks or something and you could make a nice little bit of cash, obviously have to work it around training times.

 

[Safeway]

How about a Brighton fans five a side tournament??

I know the mighty AFC Lizard would put in an appearance?

For a fee.

With regards the FBS concert, Arlington Stadium is another potential venue.

 

[Lush]

Most of us have already contributed to the club via tickets, season tickets, Withdean Wager, buckets, Heroes and Legends etc WHICH IS WHY SOMETHING LIKE A FAT BOY SLIM CONCERT is a fantastic idea.

We'll get all kinds of people moseying along who haven't already coughed up. Other Skint artists in support? Add Jamie Theakston, Mark Williams, Des etc compering - we'd sell out Withdean no problem.

Come on Trotster - what about the Race Course? Or is it too easy to watch for free from the road?

 

[CHAPPERS]

Most of us have already contributed to the club via tickets, season tickets, Withdean Wager, buckets, Heroes and Legends etc WHICH IS WHY SOMETHING LIKE A FAT BOY SLIM CONCERT is a fantastic idea.

We'll get all kinds of people moseying along who haven't already coughed up. Other Skint artists in support? Add Jamie Theakston, Mark Williams, Des etc compering - we'd sell out Withdean no problem.

Come on Trotster - what about the Race Course? Or is it too easy to watch for free from the road?

The Racecourse would be top notch. They've help big events there before with major dj's. It's massive inside and they have bars and stuff there already. Got to be a massive opportunity here!!

Who's got Trotsters email??

 

[Tom Hark Preston Park]

Any ideas for anything planned for Withdean would be instantly vetoed by the residents and park'n'ride bollocks.

 

[Gazwag]

Before we get carried away has the club checked on the legality of "fund raising events".

My concern is that, ok link it to a charity fund raiser, but the club is hardly a registered charity and could this fall foul of the law and end up costing the club.

Just a thought, hopefully this has been considered

 

[Faldo]

I imagine an open air venue for a gig would be prohibitive, cost wise. Reckon you'd need to arrange something at a venue in town (like the Concorde). Didnt the levellers play the event?

Hows about an albion week? A week of events (gigs, meet the players, 5 a sides, kiddies training sessions). If you were to hold it during the half term, loads of bored kids could bring nag their parents.

Or - an open "trial" to school kids. invite a batch of local kids down from various schools. Charge them a fiver each for a training / trial session with the coaches. Then give a complimentary childs ticket to a withdean game (Charlton did this at my school when they were in trouble).

Finally, I like the exhibition matches ideas.

Back to sleep....

 

[Turkey]

A sponsored walk - Withdean to Falmer.