Chairman's Column 19.08.2023

It is impossible to overstate just how important external financial support is in enabling us to function as a grassroots football club on a daily basis.

Which is why we are so delighted to welcome to the newly named Verdant Stadium representatives from some of the companies who will be backing us this season with much needed funds for a sponsors' day before this afternoon's match.

Verdant Financial Planning Ltd, a firm of Independent Financial Advisers have taken over the ground naming rights from Keech Hospice Care who had the naming rights since March 2021 in support of the Luton based hospice charity.

We will, of course, continue to look to raise funds for the Keech Hospice as our nominated charity and they will continue to enjoy a presence on the sleeves of our senior sides and we will also man two market stalls every year, with both activities designed to bring in much need monies as well as raise awareness of the amazing work carried out by the hospice.
Verdant will also have their company logo on the sleeve of the men's first team shirt.
Verdant Financial Planning identified our club for a number of reasons not least because one of its directors, Helen McCormick, is from Biggleswade and her father, Dave 'Macker' McCormick is a former chairman of the club.

We are specially honoured because while Verdant currently support a large number of charities locally, nationally and internationally, here at Biggleswade United we are honoured to have been chosen to be their first venture into the world of football sponsorship.

We have many things in common with Verdant. In addition to historical family connections with the club, they love grassroots football and are keen on supporting us and helping us to grow.

And along our journey we would also hope we will be able to take advantage of their financial acumen to enable us to do things better. For our part I know we can give them enough reasons to justify their faith in us and help us to move in the right direction."

We are delighted to welcome them into the Biggleswade United family and hope we can reward their generosity with our performances on the pitch starting this afternoon with our match against London Lions.

But they are far from being the only backers that we are delighted to welcome today.

Our senior women's team could well be facing a year of transition after the loss of some players but our Red and Blue sides go into the new season buoyed by the support of their new sponsors Axis Build Ltd which could hopefully see them prosper in what is the fastest growing sector in English football.

Flawless Landscapes will continue to sponsor our men's reserves side while our veterans team will be backed by JMB Motorsports.

In our Youth section, Mobile Vehicle Maintenance have picked up the tab for our under 14 boys home kit while Sarah Perkins Accountancy have bought the Under 13 girls home kit and AK Builders the away version.

Our boys Under 8 Red's kit has been supplied by Surfin' Cafe while Hear 2 Listen have provided the away strip and Reactive8 the under 8 blues home kit.

To all of you, a heartfelt thank you from everyone at the club

We are still looking to get individual sponsorships for the individual players from the men's first team. It comes to £109 which pays for the kit they need for the season and in return for your support you will get your name in our programme and a mention on social media and on the web page.

All those that feel they can help can contact me at biggleswadeunited@gmail.com

And now let the fun begin.

League wise, we certainly seem to have hit the floor running with nine goals comprising two wins and a draw in our first three league matches. The downside of course is that we have also conceded six although we currently stand joint top of the table and if we improve defensively could well prove to be very difficult to beat this season.
A win today would be the perfect way to formally welcome our new backers to the club.
Enjoy the game; enjoy the day!