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[AF] Whitby Town versus FC United - Important notice for supporters

[AF] Whitby Town versus FC United - Important notice for supportersNone of the following is true... sorry if you fell for it ;-)

FC United would like to make supporters aware that the first team will be wearing a shirt sponsor during tonight’s Evo-Stik Premier Division match at Whitby Town.

Whitby Town FC have informed us that all clubs visiting the Turnbull Ground this month have to wear a stick-on sponsor panel promoting the 21st anniversary of the town’s world famous Goth Weekend Festival, which takes place from the 23rd to 26th April.

The Board is mindful of the fact that 96% of members who voted in the March 2006 General Meeting voted in favour of the resolution that stated: ‘No FC United of Manchester playing strip will carry shirt sponsorship’.

As such, we have been in touch with both Whitby Town and the League to raise our objections. However, we have been informed that the League is powerless to assist. Under League rules Whitby are within their rights to agree sponsorship deals for all events at their ground, including shirt sponsorship for opposition teams.

Whitby has provided the club with the following statement: “It is unfortunate that FC United feel their principles are being compromised by what we see as a reasonable request to promote the Whitby Goth Weekend.

“Since being established in 1994, the festival has grown into one of the world’s premier events, not just for goths but for followers of all alternative lifestyle genres – punks, emos, bikers and metallers etc. The festival also raises thousands of pounds each year for good causes in the local area.

“As such, we believe that the Whitby Goth Weekend is perfectly in keeping with the philosophy and ethos of FC United and we were somewhat surprised when we received the objection to wearing the sponsorship panel.

“We have always enjoyed a very good working relationship with FC United and we know that FC United fans enjoy their visit to the town and hope that the club will support us in this one off gesture. We wish you the very best of luck in your bid for promotion, other than when we meet at the Turnbull Ground.???

The FC United Board hope that supporters recognise the difficult position we are in, we feel that we have no option other than to play the match wearing the sponsorship on the shirts. Not wearing the sponsorship panel or boycotting the fixture is not an option as it could lead to a financial penalty and also a deduction of points in the league. Due to the costs involved with the delays of building Broadhurst Park, we simply cannot afford to pay a fine and we do not want to run the risk of a points deduction at such a crucial stage of the season.

Supporters are asked to help play their part in publicising the Goth Weekend by wearing black to tonight’s game.



First Posted ~ 00:42 Wed 1 Apr 2015
News ID ~ 6117
Last Updated ~ 16:00 Fri 19 Feb 2021