Funding from the National League part 2(or lack of)

[t1954]

I have open this again because the previous one was closed.

I have had another reply from Lesley Griffiths re her efforts to find out what has happened to the funding the club was eligible to from the Govt similar to other National League teams. The letter Lesley has sent is dated today the 09 February. I understand that some are saying R&R may not be interested in the funding but fair is fair and we should be offered it the same as the other 23 teams in our league. They may turn down any offer of help and so be it, but it bugs me and obviously others that we are treated as some sort of outcast.

I have copied the letter Lesley has sent me for anybody that may be interested. If I hear anything else I will post if possible.

Dafydd Elis-Thomas, MS
Deputy Minister for Culture, Sport and Tourism
Welsh Government
Cardiff Bay
Cardiff
CF99 1SN
09 February 2021
Dear Dafydd
Re: Wrexham AFC – UK Government’s Sports Winter Survival Package
I write in my capacity as the Member of the Senedd for Wrexham.
Thank you for your letter of 8 February 2021 regarding the above, a copy of which is enclosed for
ease of reference.
I also enclose a copy of a letter I have received from Tim Hollingsworth, Chief Executive of
Sport England. As Wrexham AFC play in the National League, I am very surprised they were not
eligible for support from the UK package, as were they and many of my constituents.
It does appear the Club has “fallen through the gaps” and, therefore, I am grateful you have
asked your officials to contact them to discuss the challenges they face.
Could you please clarify if it was the Welsh Government’s understanding the Club would receive
funding from the UK Government’s scheme. You will be aware the Club did not receive any
funding from your recently announced package of support for sport.
I look forward to your further clarification and also an update once your officials have met with the
Club.
Thank you for your assistance.
Yours sincerely
Lesley Griffiths, MS

[dewi ogwen]

Nice to see someone asking the right questions on our behalf. I wonder if our MP could send a similar letter to the UK Culture Secretary and Sport England to clarify why we aren't eligible for funding.

[t1954]

Originally Posted by dewi ogwen

Nice to see someone asking the right questions on our behalf. I wonder if our MP could send a similar letter to the UK Culture Secretary and Sport England to clarify why we aren't eligible for funding.

She has, I will try and copy and paste it on this thread. It is brief and I am of the impression that the Welsh Govt should have been the ones to offer us support in this matter. Anyway, she is trying.

[techender]

Its fairly obvious why we were not eligible for support from Sport England.
May not seem fair, but obvious never the less.

Less obvious, and equally unfair, is why we didn't qualify for the sports support package announced by the Welsh government.

[t1954]

This is the response Lesley received from Sport England last week, I may have posted this on the other thread when I heard from her last on this subject. I think it was dated the 03 February.

Dear Ms Griffiths
Re: Wrexham AFC – Sports Winter Survival Package
Thank you for your letter regarding your constituents’ concerns around the Sports
Winter Survival Package, which is administered in part by Sport England.
As you mention in your letter, Wrexham AFC is situated in Wales. The Sports Winter
Survival Package is only available to clubs in England meaning that Wrexham FC
is not eligible.
We understand that the Welsh government has recently announced a similar
funding package for sport in Wales called the Spectator Sports Survival Fund and
suggest that this would be a more appropriate route for Wrexham AFC.
Should you have any questions on the reason for this decision I would suggest
contacting the Department for Digital, Culture, Media and Sport.
Thank you again for taking the time to write to me on this matter.
Yours sincerely
Tim Hollingsworth OBE
Chief Executive
L

[podders]

You know it would be hilarious if the upshot of this is that Wrexham gets a grant from sport Wales and then the English teams still have to take it as a loan. But as Rob Mc said we don't need the money.

I see Cleeve wants permission for king's lynn not to play until they get the loan sorted.

[Phils-an-alki]

Why bother with this now? The club doesn't need it.
Don't get it.

Its like winning the euro millions jackpot but still seeing if there's any benefits you can claim.

[Kiddy Dragon]

This funding was announced in late Jan in the form of grants from The Senedd totalling £17.7 Million by way of grants.
https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/wales/55768668
The piece explains why Rugby had £13.5 million of the funds available but soccer £1.5
'the WRU is directly linked with funding the regions, the FAW has no financial involvement with football clubs Swansea City, Cardiff City, Newport County and Wrexham.'
It was down to the Senedd via FAW to support Welsh Soccer.

[Hightown Brymbo Red]

Originally Posted by Phils-an-alki

Why bother with this now? The club doesn't need it.
Don't get it.

Its like winning the euro millions jackpot but still seeing if there's any benefits you can claim.

We are going to be in a privileged and unique position financially over all other clubs in NL .Even when clubs start next season its unlikely full capacity for fans will be allowed. Most clubs will be cutting back on budgets except for us and Government Grant's and loans will be less attractive.
Cannot wait for next season