That would pretty well sum up my position too.

For a start we could sponsor a player for next season. Anyone got an idea on how much it costs - we could try and sponsor one of the "younger" lads - eg Donaldson, Whitehead etc.

That would be a positive step - only work would be raising the initial funds - if we get anything from it, such as a game in one of the boxes, we hold a draw to see who gets it. The more you paid towards sponsorship, the greater the chance of winning?

Substander do something similar I believe and it does seem to go down very well.

No disrespect, but that seems to have become a forum for Ancient Provocateur (geddit?) and MacBull to do their stand-up routines. Even beofre that, it was tinkering at the edges - though that may be the best we can hope to achieve. Merge this in there if you want, but I was hoping for more radical ideas.

That would be of benefit. But just organise it on here by PM. There is no need to formalise everything with committees, chair, treasurer etc. Just agree to stump up £50 each, or whatever, & who's it going to.
When I think of the time I've spent fundraising, meetings, events - all voluntarily - if I had had a second job doing those hours I could have given a million quid to charidy & kept the other million for myself.

The sort of idea I was after - thanks. Maybe any sponsorship should be for one of the 'scapegoat' players. We'd have a right to criticise if we were actually forking out money for him!

To extend the idea, several clubs have squadbuilder schemes. Anyone know if these are club- or supporter-organised?

Thats an excellent idea, not changing the world in one go, but its something we on here [imight [/ibe able to do, and it would make [isome [/ipositive difference, however small.

I think the squadbuilder idea is a good one. To launch it with the sponsorship of someone like Donaldson would be ideal. Perhaps our squadbuilder should be geared towards youth development alongside the Bulls lottery? I'd certainly be willing to make a one off contribution of £50 to set the ball rolling for some player sponsorship. I remember Wakey advertising player sponsorship on their website. A figure of around 1k a season rings a bell.. can anyone confirm if this is similar for the Bulls?

Hmmm. You're right - I hadn't looked at it for a while.

Given the request earlier in that thread I'll do a spot of deleting.

Everyone please take note. Serious thread / serious comments

Any supporters group, if it is to make any significant difference, would have to generate a significant amount of cash. That's the bottom line.

Whilst all these "Squadbuilder" and other schemes are well intentioned, and no doubt the bits of dosh they produce are welcome, I don't see there being any chance of any such group making any [isignificant[/i difference. In any such group, very few people are either willing or able to put in the time required, and most that join do so as they are sympathetic to the idea, but nevertheless have no time spare at all to actively participate.

I agree, I'd definately chip in to sponsor a player. It's little things like that that really make you feel a part of the club.

The squadbuilder idea isn't a bad one either. We could arrange a couple of sportsmans dinners between us, and maybe a golf day or something. I'm sure the club would encourage a few of the players to come along since it would be benefiting them.

I'm happy to contribute to a squadbuilder or a player sponsorship deal. Southstander.com sponsor a player each year so it's not impossible to sort out.

As for joining a committee etc. No thanks. I've done my time!

Happy to chip in £50 towards sponsoring one of the younger players along the squad builder idea.

(a good job BP laid the line down about humour, because a squad of builders could have kept AP amused for hours!)