Partnerships kicks-off

£750,000 and the club is currently applying to The FA and The Football Foundation to invest £500,000 alongside £250,000 it has committed, after which it intends to build on top of its existing changing rooms to create a multi-functional youth centre, which will provide education, health seminars and a community activity space.

This “Phase Two” of the developments will also cost a further £750,000 and will be financed through Social Investment.

The club has notably produced more than 80 professional footballers, including internationals such as Alan Shearer, Peter Beardsley and Michael Carrick.

And with such significant developments planned, chairman Steve Dale decided to call on the expertise of one of the club’s parents to offer some advice on minimising costs as the club’s expansion begins in Summer 2018.

Mark Jones, Associate Business Solutions Director at Great Annual Savings Group, takes his son Josh to Kirkley Park multiple times a week to train and play with Wallsend Boys and was able to offer advice on improving the club’s finances ready for the forthcoming developments.

The business specialises in reducing outgoings and immediately set about reducing Wallsend’s fixed contract terms, saving the club almost 30% on its electricity expenditure and nearly 50% on gas.

GAS subsidised the club with the purchase of winter rain jackets for its 500 players, which all age groups wear for training and travel to games.

“We have a strong reputation for both helping businesses become more efficient and supporting grass-roots sporting organisations in the North East,” said Mark,

“Bradley Groves, our Chief Executive, owns Spennymoor Town FC and has done a lot for other sporting teams including Hetton Lyons.

“I was confident GAS could offer some value and we’re now working together to make the new premises as efficient as possible, so when they’re built they run like a dream and the club doesn’t waste a penny from day one.”