Newnham pledges £10k to Port
SUPPORTER Paul Newnham donated £10,000 to Southport FC this week to help with running costs during the suspension of the National League North campaign due to coronavirus.
Newnham, who runs Pinetree Garden Maintenance, was thanked in an official statement made to the club website while club secretary James Tedford admitted coronavirus posed a threat to the very existence of Southport FC.
“Paul’s support for the club over the years has been invaluable through his business, Pinetree Garden Maintenance, and we cannot thank him enough for this wonderful gesture,” the club said.
“The Covid-19 pandemic is already having a very serious effect on people and communities throughout the country and as a business Southport Football Club are no different.
“Although the pyramid of English football has set a date of April 4 to return to action, it remains doubtful that competition will resume immediately after this date.
“Like many clubs across the country, we live a hand-to-mouth existence with our main cashflow from home gate receipts being our main source income.
“This is supplemented by income from events and midweek bar facilities, both of which are being severely impacted.
“With this in mind, we would encourage our fans and supporters to continue to support the club where necessary.”
Tedford added: “These are unprecedented times for our club and there is no getting away that this may signal the end of many clubs across the pyramid.
“I am grateful for the endeavours of many at the club over the last 12 months to make the necessary cutbacks, without which this current pandemic could have brought an untimely end to our 139year history.”