The Moors recently launched a ‘Back the Fans and Pack the Stands’ campaign, appealing to local individuals and organisations for donations towards subsidised coach travel to help residents make the trip to the national stadium.
Members of Spennymoor Town Council were asked to consider allocating up to £20,000 from its general reserves towards subsidised coach travel to the final on May 11 against Aldershot Town.
However, councillors voted not to contribute to the campaign at a meeting on Tuesday (April 22).
“It is disappointing that the Town Council [has] chosen not to support the appeal, but it’s not surprising,” said the club’s Managing Director, Ian Geldard.
“Our Chairman, Brad Groves, has been very clear recently that change needs to come at the Town Hall. We have huge aspirations as a club, but these cannot be realised without the support and backing of the local authorities.”
Instead, the Town Council backed plans for a potential civic reception and town celebrations if the team is victorious in the final.
Spennymoor booked its place at Wembley after a historic 5-4 penalty shoot-out win over Rochdale on April 5.
Cllr Stephen Gilling praised the historic achievement and told Tuesday’s meeting that the Wembley final will give “families, friends, and generations of supporters the chance to make lifelong memories together on the biggest stage in football.”
It was claimed that a £10,000 allocation for travel subsidy and another £10,000 allocation towards victory celebrations would cost less than £2 per household.
More than 3,200 tickets have already been sold for the final, with around 400 supporters also taking advantage of the club’s subsidised coach travel offer, initially priced at £30.
However, prices increased to £45 over the weekend after the club said it cannot afford to cover the whole cost of the discounted tickets on its own.
“We know times are tough, the cost of travel is expensive, tickets and a day out in London could be way out of reach for many,” Cllr Gilling told the meeting. “But having an experience like this should never be limited to those who can only afford it.
“Imagine [the team] stepping out onto the pitch and seeing a sea of black and white in the stands. That’s not just about support, it’s about belief and hope in our town, and it would be great to give them a real twelfth man.
“The decision is simple: we either tell the people of the town that we care about them, or we vote against this, and for years to come, our names will be remembered for it. Let’s do everything we can to ensure no fan is left behind.”
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But Cllr Dean Ranyard said the ailing infrastructure of public facilities, including a broken lift in the Town Hall and the “not fit for purpose” Middlestone Moor Community Centre, should be prioritised.
He said: “I’m sure in the future the council will do all it can within its means to support the football club and its ongoing success, but I believe this, unfortunately, is not the time to be giving away public money.”
Cllr Pete Molloy praised the club’s campaign but echoed the sentiment. “Our assets should be a priority for the people, and they come first,” he added.
