I know I shouldn't be counting our chickens yet BUT if we do make it to the Play-Off final I need to be there and I need to start thinking about the logistics NOW.
As some of you know, I (a Welling fan for nearly 20 years) now reside in sunny Brisbane, Australia. I always swore blind that if Welling ever drew a decent team in the FA Cup then I'd be straight on a flight to be there for Welling's 'big day out'.
I view the play-off final in May as a much bigger game than a one-off FA Cup game and so I need to plan ahead.
Now, here's my problem...
I'm a diligent sort of fellow and had what I call my 'Emergency Flight Fund' sitting in a bank account. The 'Emergency Flight Fund' is a stash of cash ready to be spent if Welling had a big game OR, god forbid, a family member of mine fell ill. That way, I could be in the UK at the drop of a hat. Unfortunately, the latter happened. I took a flight back to blighty last October to visit a very ill relative that passed away a few days after I'd headed back here to Oz. I'm glad I did it - I got to see my Aunt before she passed (I also managed to sneak the Dorchester home game into my plans too).
No funds left.
Now, here's my solution (I hope)...
I'm hoping to find a sponsor i.e. a Welling a fan or a football fan in general that either owns or works at a large organisation that will pay for my return flights (economy of course). In return, I will wear the logo of the company on a t-shirt/hat for the duration of my trip including the game. I will also mention the name of the company at every given opportunity...This sounds silly right? Wrong! I'm confident that there will be one or two newspapers and possibly TV News shows that may want to hear my desperate story. Think of the (almost) free advertising and exposure!
If you can sympathise and help with my desperate plan, please get in touch.
Thanks,
Darren.
-- Edited by Thomas The Tank Engine on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 01:53:13 AM
-- Edited by Thomas The Tank Engine on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 01:56:37 AM
-- Edited by Thomas The Tank Engine on Tuesday 10th of April 2012 01:57:50 AM
Being a dilligent chap... November , December, January, February, March saving £30 a week from your wages... Would have been a good start.
I Think you would have more luck trying to get sponsorship from Aussies or your workmates. I had to check if it was April 1st in Australia.
Youve got nearly a month
1 Place adverts to walk dogs, wash cars or use any skills you have in the local papers or free ad sites in Brisbane 2 Save money from your next 3 weeks wages
If you came back on here a week before any play off final should we be lucky enough to make one, and said ive got 540 quid ive sorted and need another 251 ... you MIGHT have a chance. Failing that get a just giving page or the like, and spread it on facebook, twitter and forums to see if people chip in, with the promise if you dont go to a final the money is returned.
A picture of you with a blanket around you and a puppy sitting next to you will help.
__________________
Alexander O'Neal 1987 "I'm fed up cos all you wanna do is criticize "
From a business perspective if i was shelling out £800 on someone wearing a t-shirt with my company name on (which I wouldn't), I would expect somewhere in the region of £3K-£4K in sales generated, which as I'm sur you'll agree wont happen.
However, good luck in your quest - I hope you succeed! (Last resort, credit card)
I could be in luck! The mighty Brisbane Roar FC (or moreso the Indonesian billionaire family funding them) has agreed to hear my plea...potentially in exchange for some Roar promotional activities in Queensland!!!
Watch this space.
p.s. thanks for your support JGFC.
-- Edited by Thomas The Tank Engine on Wednesday 11th of April 2012 05:56:13 AM
I'm not convinced that I'll be anywhere near the rich family but I have a meeting with one of the Roar's Marketing guys next week.
Brisbane Roar were champions last season and have made the grand final again this season. They are keen to pump exposure of themselves at every opportunity and if sending me off on a plane in the name of 'Soccer' in order to get the Brisbane Roar name on the TV a bit more then so be it. I can't complain!
