Amateur football side facing financial woes

Oct 13 2011 by Kieran Westbrook, West Lothian Courier

A NEW amateur football team fear they could go under if they can’t attract sponsorship to their cause.

Bathgate-based Dilligaf FC formed earlier this year after attracting bumper numbers to a call to start up a five-a-side team.

But since entering the Sunday LEAFA Division 1, they have seen their costs rocket far higher than they expected.

And now they are urging local businesses to back them.

Dilligaf FC boss Colin Flannigan said: “We have made a good start to the league and it’s great to see the boys starting to play as a team.

“The problem has been keeping the costs low.

“You have to pay for so many different things.

“Some of the boys are unemployed and we’re trying to make it as cheap as we can to let them play.”

The team were given strips from a local garage.

But the costs have been mounting with the club’s officials having to fork out for both start-up cost items as well as weekly fees to hold the games.

And they are looking for local businesses to come forward and offer support.

Mr Flannigan added: “You have to hire the pitch, the ref and everything else that comes with putting on a game.

“We’ve had to buy corner flags and so many other things you wouldn’t even think about.

“We would hate to have to stop because the boys are getting so much out of it.

“It shows you how expensive it is to run a football club, even at this level.

“If there is anyone who can help us with sponsorship it would make such a difference.

“We know times are hard for people. That’s is why we would be grateful of any kind of help. The team are doing well just now but we are getting really low in funds to try and keep us going.”

Anyone interested in helping Dillifag FC can contact Mr Flannigan by email on dilligaf_fc@yahoo.co.uk .