Airdrie & Coatbridge Advertiser
Diamond girls plan big future
Boss looking for funding to take next step
The Airdrie Ladies boss has launched a fundraiser in a bid to bring in thousands to secure the future of the Diamonds girls.
Katie McCormick is hoping to lead the Diamonds women to promotion this term following the club’s reformation last season.
However, with the Ladies needing around £15,000 per season to keep the team afloat, McCormick is hoping fans will help them look ahead to the rest of the season – and beyond.
McCormick has set their target at £3000 to help them lay the foundations of a youth system that will benefit the New Broomfield outfit for generations – and to help them keep up with training payments.
Players are asked to pay a reduced rate for the facilities, with club sponsor backing helping to cut the price down for the squad.
“Training facilities are not cheap, so to keep the girls fees low I created this fundraising page to help with these facilities,” the manager told the Advertiser.
“Bell Group are sponsoring the home games this season and the stadium owners are sponsoring one training session which leaves another training session to be paid for.
“So most of the money will go towards this.
“I have been hoping that if we are lucky enough to get promoted this season we can create a development team and help them with funding as well to keep everyone’s costs low and get as many girls and women playing football.”
The gaffer added: “The GoFundMe page is doing well and the people have been so supportive. All in all it costs around £15,000 to run a club so we need to get some money in the bank for ‘just in case’ situations.
“I need to make sure our club can survive if any or all sponsors pull out so that’s what we’re aiming for.”
The Ladies are hoping to claim the Scottish Women’s Football League Division Two (SWFL) title this season, after narrowly being pipped to top spot and promotion last term.
The Diamonds only lost one game all year – to eventual champions Blackburn.
McCormick said: “I genuinely think this is our season to progress.”
To donate to the club contact www. gofundme. com/ airdrie- ladiesfootball-club.
● Airdrie will be in action this Saturday as they face Glasgow Girls Development in the SWFL Division Two Cup. Kick-off is at 2pm in the Excelsior Stadium.
I genuinely think this is our season to progress