Everyone with an interest in the long-term future of Cowdenbeath Football Club is invited to an event which will be hosted by Chairman Donald Findlay at Central Park on Monday 8th November 2010 @7pm (club bar will be open for refreshments).
A new Cowdenbeath Football Club has begun to emerge over the last six months but there is still a long road ahead. The Club has stabalised but the long-term future is still fragile and will depend on the continued and increased commitment of the supporters and the local community. The future of CFC is in all our hands, both individually and collectively. It is your Club and everyone can play their part.
What should the future look like? What can be done better? What can you do to help? Come along on the 8th and have your say.
“I would urge fans and interested members of the wider community to come along”, said Donald Findlay.
“I’m sure we all share the vision to see the CFC restored to its place at the heart of the community; for supporters to have an ownership interest in the Club; to be relocated to a purpose-built stadium in the town, to be the best part-time team in Scotland; and to be an exemplar for youth development.
“It will not happen overnight and is ambitious but it can be achieved with hard work and everyone working together.
“Progress has already been made on a number of fronts. On the park we are punching above our weight thanks to the great efforts of the players, Jimmy Nicholl and his coaching staff. Bobby Paterson and his team continue to develop a conveyor belt of talented young footballers. Off the park we have a new board in place that includes fans and local business people, and the continued support of the owners. We have increased commercial revenues and are now starting to pursue replacing the floodlights - which we will be able to move to a new stadium in the future - thanks to the investment from Neil Fentie and the Action Group.
“It is also vital the football club is run on a sustainable basis and sound business principles and progress is also being made here. The Club will not rely on private investment but will live within its means. However, a sustainable model, in my opinion, will include a hybrid of supporter/community involvement and private investment.
“Despite this progress the Club is not out of the woods by some distance. We need more volunteers, increased revenues, additional people through the gates on match day and a new facility to call home.
“We also need to reconnect with the supporters and local community. I have been impressed by the passion and pride that people have for Cowdenbeath Football Club whether in the boardroom, around the Club on a daily basis or on the terracing. I share that feeling of pride and I was deeply honoured when I was asked to join the new Board as Chairman. I am the grandson of a miner from Cowdenbeath. I am, and always have been proud of my roots in Cowdenbeath. However, we need to build a Club that the whole community can be proud of. A club for the many, not the few.
"I want to work with everyone whether the Trust, Supporters Club, wider community or anyone else with an interest in the club and development of football in Scotland. I promise that no approach will ever be ignored.”
The light at the end of the tunnel was almost switched off at the end of last season due to the financial difficulties. Don’t wait until another crisis – it may be too late next time. Your club needs you now - the future of Cowdenbeath Football Club is in all our hands. Let’s all rise to the challenge.