Following the announcement of our season ticket prices for the upcoming season, I wanted to take the opportunity to explain the thinking behind those decisions directly to our supporters.
First and foremost, I appreciate that household budgets are tight for everybody. The financial pressures come from all directions, and naturally, people have to consider where spending their money is prioritised.
At the same time, we ask supporters to understand the position of the football club. Weymouth Football Club is committed to trying to stand on its own two feet without relying on benefactors or loans, while also carrying the responsibility and costs that come with operating a stadium of our size.
As we move forward, one of our major priorities is making the stadium and the wider club more financially sustainable. We are currently in discussions regarding additional initiatives that will help generate further revenue, alongside the rental income we already receive from parts of the stadium. Hopefully, if those plans progress as expected, they will help strengthen the club towards having an equal balance by the end of this season and into the beginning of the next.
From a footballing perspective, we understand the need to reduce costs where possible, and we recognise the financial pressures supporters are under. However, competing successfully still carries significant costs. The playing budget required to challenge for promotion has to be both maintainable and affordable, but also efficient and competitive. I believe our budget will still likely be among the top two or three in the league, even if it may not be the very highest.
We also want to build a club that attracts players for the right reasons. We want players to come to Weymouth because they genuinely want to play for this football club, buy into our ambitions.
A major part of our long-term vision remains youth development and youth engagement. We are committed to strengthening the pathway from grassroots football through to the first team, giving young players within our community the opportunity to develop and potentially progress into senior football in the future.
As part of that commitment, we have also reviewed our policy regarding youth season tickets to try and provide better value for families and young supporters.
I understand that not every decision will always be viewed as the perfect solution by everyone. However, the challenges we face are significant, and we remain committed to balancing the books responsibly while continuing to build a stronger and more sustainable future for Weymouth Football Club.
Thank you
Ralph
