I read the Marlpit article on Tuesday 30th April and was informed the same day of a phone call regarding the matter received by our Treasurer the previous night. We have always been led to believe that as an affiliate, we can turn for help and guidance to the CCA in times of difficulty.

To clarify the situation regarding the alleged 'continual money grabbing' attitude of our club, I would like to set the record straight regarding, firstly, who has been paying for various facilities and, secondly, the occasions where Coltishall Colts has received monies from the CCA.

The CCA (or is it the Parish Council?) pays for the cutting of the grass but, as land that is widely known as being 'for use of young and old of the village', surely this would have to be done anyway. As for the remaining bills to run the club, the Colts pay a third (Saturday & Sunday senior sides pay other two-thirds) of line marking, insurance and electricity and water in the changing rooms, pitch repairs, our own equipment and kit, etc.

We have received some monies from the CCA in the past but, as far as can be recalled, only on two occasions and these were not initiated by our club. In the summer of 1993, we were offered (not requested) £200 following congratulations on a very successful (and a subsequent field clean up) 5-a-side competition. This was used to purchase kit including warm up tops bearing the Coltishall Sports & Social Club name. In 1999, the CCA paid the annual insurance (£450) for the changing rooms building. This was at a time the Seniors had financial problems and it was not considered fair to ask the Colts to pay the whole premium.

 

When the Colts were started in their current format in 1989, it quickly built into a large club. By 1995 we had 5 league teams and a thriving young age group; over 100 boys on the books. At that time we were given the impression that it was very beneficial to have so many parents providing a set up in the village to provide sport for so many youngsters. Unfortunately, as we stand now, it has declined to the only 1 team at Under 16 level who almost certainly will not continue next season and so the club may very well cease to exist.

I would rather have not written this letter to respond to the Marlpit article but would have preferred to discuss the concerns of the CCA directly with them through a personal call, meeting or discussion but, as stated earlier, this was the first we have known about the matters.

Paul Heffer
Secretary, Coltishall Colts FC