SUPPORTERS LAUNCH 100 CLUB   BY ALAN MURPHY

Carlton Town Supporters Club today launches a 100 club fundraising initiative to try to keep the club afloat in these difficult times. The current indefinite shutdown of all activities where people congregate will have a devastating economic impact across the whole country and football clubs big and small are no exception. In normal times clubs the size of Carlton find it hard enough to survive, but with no matches, no 5-a-side bookings and virtually no income, and no definitive end in sight, the reality is that unless we do something now, the club will cease to exist as a viable step 4 entity in the next few weeks. Normally, when finances get tight, we see the Chairman or his business step in with a speaker's event, a pool marathon or some kind of other social event. That simply isn't possible at the moment and indeed MSR have enough difficulties of their own at the moment without being asked to bail out the football club. As such, it's time for us to step up to the plate and see if we can do something to help. A number of ideas have come in from various people over recent days, and all have been gratefully received. The one we're launching now is the 100 club. The concept is simple. 100 of us pay £10 per month by standing order into the club. In return, each month there will be a draw with four prizes: £100, £50 and £25 x 2. That way, the club gets £800 per month regular income and we pay less than the price of a pint a week with four chances per month to win some money back. I am sure that there are 100 of us willing to pay into this. We have to be clear that the alternative could see the club either go under or, at the very least, have to resume football much lower down the pyramid. Given the success achieved by the players and coaching staff this season, to fail at this stage would be a tremendous shame. We are aiming to start the 100 club on 1 April, with the first draw taking place on Easter Monday, 13 April. To ensure we get started straight away, can we ask all those who are willing to take part to do the following:
1. Set up a standing order to pay Carlton Town FC £10 per month on the 1st of each month, starting 1 April 2020. The sort code is 05-06-41 and the account number is 66678732.
2. Put "100 club + [your name]" as the reference, so the club knows who the payment if from (eg "100 club Alan Murphy")
3. When you have done this, email carltontownsc@gmail.com with your name and confirmation that you have set up the standing order. You will then be sent your draw number by return. (If you have a preference for a number between 1-100, let us know. If it hasn't already gone, you can have it!).
4. Look out for the dates of draws on both websites. The aim in normal circumstances will be to have each month's draw in the clubhouse after a home game in the middle of the month. We'll make alternative arrangements out of the football season but will aim to film each draw for Carlton Town TV.
5. If more than 100 people enter, depending on the numbers we'll either increase the prize fund or add more prizes.
6. If we are not able to get 100 entrants, then prizes will be reduced pro-rata. But we're sure we can get the support for this. There will be many calls on your time and money at the moment, and no doubt you all have many other concerns. But Carlton Town means an awful lot to many of us, and we owe it to ourselves to see the club through these turbulent times. So - get onto your mobile banking apps and come and join us in the 100 club.