The deadline for donations for our joint venture with The Stacey West, Imptoons, The Lady Imps Supporters Association & Burton Road Chippy is 8th November. Created to provide a vehicle for supporters to contribute smaller amounts to the overall fund, we are approaching a magnificent £9,000 in donations; with a week or so remaining, we would love to make it £10,000. Please read on.
Why is this so important to us all? The original Stacey West Stand was built in 1990 to replace the much-loved but crumbling Railway Terrace. As many supporters will know, it was named after Bill Stacey and Jim West, the two Lincoln supporters who sadly lost their lives in the Valley Parade fire on 11 May 1985. Both were lifelong supporters of the club, with Bill known to many as the organiser of the Red Imps travel section. That alone makes the stand a very special one, and it is entirely fitting that the redevelopment will include extensive community facilities in addition to improved spectator accommodation.
Since Lincoln City returned to the Football League in 2017, attendances have been at their highest for sixty years. That is a terrific achievement, and the atmosphere generated on a matchday has been recognised by visiting players and supporters alike. A number of players have cited the atmosphere at LNER Stadium as one of the reasons they chose to sign for us, and the value of that cannot be underestimated. Matchday receipts are one of the three ways in which football clubs generate income, and increasing the capacity can only reinforce that. Commercial income is also one of the three main revenue streams, and it is vital for the club to expand its non-football activities if it is to progress further. By creating facilities to generate extra revenue in both of those key areas, City can go some way towards closing the financial chasm that has again appeared in League One. Sincil Bank is a great place to be, and we have an opportunity to make it greater.
However, there is a problem: despite receiving grants and additional investment from numerous sources, there is a substantial funding gap. The bond scheme has been a great success to date, but a shortfall remains. We appreciate that the last eighteen months have been hard in so many ways, and everyone is facing financial challenges. But if you do have literally a pound or two to spare, every contribution is significant. The more money we can raise towards the new stand right now, the more of the extra revenue it creates can be directed towards the playing side. Success on the pitch is what this is really about.
So, to give our own campaign one last push, we have decided we will match all donations between now and the 8th November deadline to a maximum of £1,000.
Let’s build a stand we can all be proud of, and know that we helped to build it.
You can donate HERE:
https://www.paypal.com/pools/c/8xM0ROAand
Writer: Scotimp
