Its ok they are going to do THIS for the benefit of the Boroughs residents and Charlton Athletic....

Preserve and catalogue the archive to make it accessible to the public
Create an educational booklet entitled, 'Bartram, the Blitz and Beyond'
Make an animated film based on Sam, Charlton Athletic Football Club and WW2
Perform a specially written play on Sam's career and the war
Work with the National Literacy Trust to collect stories from supporters about their memories of either watching or playing with Sam Bartram at Charlton. These will then be used in an illustrated book, 'CAFC: Bartram and Beyond'
Develop a touring exhibition to visit libraries and schools in Bexley borough


And Welling United get what exactly?

-- Edited by JgFc on Monday 13th of September 2010 07:19:52 PM

As a council they are a disgrace. They do nothing for us at all. They own the stadium. Have they paid for any covered accomodation at the ends or improvement of facilities? Do they help arrange any festivals or events using the club and raising awareness? Do they promote us in the borough, Do they help us financially like Dartford Council have done for Dartford? Bromley Council are looking into building a stadium for Cray Wanderers.

And now here they are , we are trying to stay in business and they get a grant related to Charlton Athletic. a complete disgrace and slap in the face.

As an association they are pitiful and do nothing for Welling United FC not even in their time of need and support.

Interesting but with cuts in services I don't think Greenwich will look on us favourably. Unlike a Hampshire council. Just seen this on BSBS Forum

http://south.ytfc.com/south.mpl?action=View+Thread&thread=19958


Sorry can't seem to get this as a hyperlink sure one of you computer buffs can assist.

Eh Eh, calm down...what on earth has a heritage lottery grant bid made by the council got anything to do with trying to stay in business?  It's not as if Bexley Council have given Charlton £30k to improve their stand or to bunk off to the tax man.  They obviously saw an opportunity to bid for external money for as worthy cause (as they probably don't have much) and were successful. 

I didn't know the heritage lottery bailed football clubs out too!  I understand the frustration that the Council might not actively promote the team as much as they should/could, but has the club ever gone to any of their sportsy type officers and said how Welling and the Council could work hand in glove together - highlighting unique opportunities and joint benefits?

They will argue that far more Bexley residents watch Charlton than Welling - not that I agree that it is a good argument.

It might be a good argument Chelwing but going by that rule the council might as well apply for a grant for Man united or Liverpool memorabilia.
It's a bloody farce and a kick in the teeth to our club.

Kev a superb idea. Its time to shame and embarrass the council into supporting us. Firstly directly in numbers then if we have to by petitioning the residents of Welling, Bexleyheath,Sidcup and Bexley and also the local press.

If we keep it factual and highlight how other local councils help their premier football clubs i am sure we will get some results.

chelwing wrote:

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They will argue that far more Bexley residents watch Charlton than Welling - not that I agree that it is a good argument.

---

An easy situation to rectify.

Promote their team, increase awareness and crowds which will bring more money being spend in the local area in fares, petrol, shopping etc etc.
Its time Bexley Council started investing time and money on the club that pays them rent and the people who pay them money as residents.

QUITE SIMPLY if other Councils (Dartford, Bromley, Rushmoor) go above and beyond then so can Bexley. As it is they do sweet fa for us and that simply must change and will change if we lobby them.

I will let you know what response, if any, I get to this sent today at 4.05pm ........

.........................

Hi All

Apologies if this email is not part of your remit as councillor, but if it could make it's way to the relevant person(s) it would be appreciated.

I'm a resident of the Borough and have been for all of my 29 years, and a close follower of Welling United Football Club, the Borough's largest football team. Over the year's I have enjoyed what must amount to a few thousand games of football at both their Park View Road, Welling ground, and various other places nationwide; as far afield as Gateshead and Blyth to the north, Newport in both Wales and the Isle-of-Wight, and numerous other long trips.

I'm not the only one. Welling regularly attract over 500-600 people weekly for their games in the Conference South, as well as several thousand for visits of Charlton (annually) and other bigger sides. Charlton, and their fans, are very supporting of our club in terms of their time and assistance in pulling in crowds and finance, as well as Arsenal and Millwall in recent times.

Its been raised many, many times amongst supporters of their frustrations at the apparent lack of support, and funding, of the local council for what is both business and leisure activity in the area. Little was ever done about this, however ...

Welling are currently having financial difficulties which threaten their existence ... whilst other more "fortunate" local clubs such as Dartford have seen the local council fund their development to the tune of millions of pounds on new stadia.

A company running successfully for 47 years, and having risen from humble park football to the semi-professional game, attracting TV appearences and some famous faces in the past, could possibly be at threat whilst those in power to assist stand idlely by and do nothing ?? Is it too much to ask that the council assist in a greater capacity financially like they would with other leisure projects ??

Whilst several dozen local people work hard on fundraising, and dedication of their time, to try to save their hobbie and leisure activity, the assistance of the council in any way possible would be of additional benefit to all.

I look forward to hearing your thoughts ...


Kevin Oakes
Welling United fan


........................

Kevin how about if we have that letter available to sign at home games and try and get a few hundred signatures and then send it off?

A bit like a petition?

Ive got a reply, will post tomorrow, it was positive-ish ... but the guy did make reference to us being behind on rent and insurance payments to the council on several occasions and that this is part of the reason the council are slow to assist.

This dont suprise me-when they knocked on my door before in the elections I gave the bloke "what do you do for WUFC?" and all he could tell me was it was embarassing as we are behind on the rent thats why couldnt and wouldnt help.

As usual you have to kick them in the arse to get something done rather than them being pro active in the first place. Maybe we are not asking for a cash dontation but a suspension on the rent and other payments while we sort out would help the cash flow and would then satisfy the residents who feel that we shouldnt get any help from their council tax

What does annoy me is we pay the cancel around £16000 a year in rent, while Dartford & Ebbsfleet pay £1 a year, just cutting the rent by half would be a big help

The council wont want us to go under, but if we do they can sell the ground to a Tesco or housing company for example and make a cool million ... not exactly a problem to them is it

I've had a response my from the email I sent my councillor on Tuesday. At least this one doesn't blame it on us not paying our bills.


Sorry to send you a holding email as this will be but I am currently away and don't want you to think I am ignoring you.

Thank you for your email.

We are all in fact Welling Supporters (my goes closer due to family connections and the late Graham Hobbins), and if you think the Council is anti Welling then I am sorry, but in fact its quite the opposite. The fact Charlton seems to get more, is mainly due tot he fact they have a much bigger profile (from their Premiership position to the current League one) across the whole Borough, have a much bigger support network which helps them from a PR side (they are very good at shouting about what they do then others), and have far more resources then other teams do. Charlton do of course also offer via the community scheme pan London work which is undertaken by many Councils. Wellings Youth Officer does a great deal of work around the area but they, as previously mentioned, have far bigger resources themselves.

Bexley Council has been involved in the majority of issues surrounding Welling for many years and I am not in a position to comment on financial aspects as they are private, but you would be mistaken if you thought the Council was not involved.

Have you emailed Peter Catterall who is the Cabinet Member for Leisure or indeed the Council Leader Teresa O'Neill?

I would love to say the Council will be able to find a huge pot of cash to solve the problem, but unfortunately I am in no position to do so, and also as we all no the current financial situation we as a country are in will prohibit this at the moment anyway....

When I get back I will follow up further with officers etc...

If Bexley Council had any money to throw around then perhaps they'd consider sending their councillors on English Language courses.

Agree about the language courses!

I did email details of the auction night to said councillor (including a poster) and asked him to spread the word at the council. Should be a few sports fans there who'd be interested in some of the lots.

JgFc wrote:

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Well done people now what we need is to take these points we have had back from people on the council and put them to the Mayor of bexley and the committee...

Lets put the onus on them to push us, back us, support us and HELP us. They can see that the fans are trying to improve things. Its time to face the music Bexley Council. We can also highlight what other councils have done for teams at our level and lower.

---

Rather than the Mayor who is non-political during their year in office you need the leader of the council. In Bexley this is Councillor Teresa o'Neil. Of course if any fans are members of their local political parties in Bexley they could always raise Wellings plight at members meetings. Regret I live in the Borough of Greenwich so am not in a position to lobby Bexley Councillors.

 

I have just found some interesting bits online that it seems Nellys Heros have already had some contact with The head of the council and also James Cleverly

Well done Matt!

http://matthewscottuk.com/2010/09/2-songs-left-on-my-welling-united-sheet/

-- Edited by JgFc on Friday 17th of September 2010 04:40:21 PM