Flitwick Ea les Football Club g
Founded 1986 Registered Charity : 1109671
TRUSTEES ANNUAL REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
www.flitwickeagles.org
FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
CONTENTS
| Page | |
|---|---|
| General Information | 1 |
| Trustees Report | 2 – 6 |
| Independent Examiner’s Report | 7 |
| Statement of Financial Activities | 8 |
| Balance Sheet | 9 |
| Notes to the Financial Statements | 10 - 13 |
FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
GENERAL INFORMATION
| Trustees | |
|---|---|
| Geoff Springall (Chairman) | Lynda Gazeley |
| Melvyn Gazeley (Secretary) | Peter Hagan |
| Ian Mulligan (Treasurer) | Colin Giggle |
| Ian Noble (Vice Chairman) | Paul Jenkins |
| Independent Examiner | Mr P Fenn |
| Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants | |
| Silbury Court | |
| 420 Silbury Boulevard | |
| Central Milton Keynes | |
| MK9 2AF | |
| Bankers | Barclays Bank Plc |
| 111 High Street | |
| Bedford | |
| MK40 1NJ | |
| Registered Charity Number | 1109671 |
| Principal Address | Flitwick Football Centre |
| Ampthill Road | |
| Flitwick | |
| Bedfordshire | |
| MK45 1BA |
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
Trustees’ Report 2020-2021
The Trustees present their Annual Report with the Financial Statements of the Charity for the year ended 31 May 2021.
The financial statements comply with the Charities Act 2011, the Trust’s Deed and Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
Objectives of the Charity
The charity was established by a constitution adopted on 10 April 2005 and was registered on 25 May 2005.
The objectives of the Charity are to advance the educational and physical development of boys and girls living in Flitwick and the surrounding area, regardless of race, ability or social background by the provision of sports facilities and opportunities to participate in sport and in particular football.
The trustees meet periodically and regularly review our charitable activities to ensure that the club offers both the facilities and opportunities to all children in the local community to participate in sport. This is demonstrated by the diverse range of teams, players and helpers associated with the club and our wider involvement in community activities and strong relations with local schools.
Review of the development, activities and achievements of the charity
Club Development
This was our seventh season in the football centre. We are all extremely proud of the centre and all realise how important the venue has become for the local community. It’s importance was no more apparent than over the past year after football was curtailed in early March 2020 due to the Covid19 pandemic. With the country going into lockdown and all non-essential contact and travel banned, football fell victim with leagues voided and cup competitions barely off of the ground, the escape for many families to football at the weekends and training during the week was taken away. The feedback received from our players and parent group reinforced how important this was to them all.
One of the most satisfying aspects of the pandemic was seeing the brilliant behaviour of our young players. They showed how quickly they could adapt to the situation, in many cases demonstrating maturity and camaraderie that was well beyond their ages.
The club continues to grow with over 50 teams competing during the season with great representation throughout local leagues on Saturdays and Sundays in both boys’ and girls’ football.
It was with some sadness that we again said goodbye to players from our under 18 teams, some of whom have been with the club since age 7 and with great regret we were again not able to give them the farewell that they deserved and which we as a club and I am certain the parent group, would have liked.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
The football centre has provided a base where teams, volunteers and parents can interact. In its 35[th] year the club were again proud to be awarded FA Charter Standard status. With a club the size of Flitwick Eagles this takes a great deal of effort, in particular from Lynda Gazeley who works hard to ensure compliance throughout the club. All volunteers representing the club must ensure all FA rules are understood and followed and are responsible for ensuring their qualifications remain in date.
The trustees continue to review policy to ensure we cater for the local community and ensure a safe and friendly environment for all. We are also very proud to have a flourishing girl’s section at the club and are committed to developing this further.
Facilities and equipment
The Flitwick Football Centre is the envy of all visiting teams. The pitches and football centre are a super example of what can be achieved with determination and hard work. It is a great pleasure to see the pitches in use on Saturdays and Sundays with girls, boys and ladies enjoying playing football.
The club is indebted to Colin Giggle who, as a volunteer spends a great deal of his time maintaining our wonderful home and because of him, the pitches look great each week. The pitches are normally rested from May to September to allow for maintenance and for new grass to grow, however, the pandemic ended last season earlier than usual in mid-March, so they were then rested until we introduced summer training a little earlier than usual under the social distancing rules. As with previous years the summer was again dry and hot and therefore rainfall was minimal. The club appreciates that there is a requirement to invest in a permanent irrigation system to ensure this isn’t left to chance and we will be pursuing the options available that will enable us to introduce this.
This was our eighth year of training on the 3G pitches at Redborne Upper School and our fourth on the Flitwick Leisure Centre 3G pitches. Access to these facilities and the school venues we use for summer training has been impacted due to Covid-19 restrictions, which led to an increased use of the pitches at the Football Centre for training, which in turn increased wear and tear on the pitches. The trustees are mindful that football has become a year-round sport for many of our members, with teams wishing to train well beyond the traditional end of season and so a suitable solution needs to be found to accommodate this change in demand.
Despite the impact of Covid-19, the reduction in expenditure on pitch hire and close control of expenditure on football kits and equipment have enabled us to make a surplus whilst maintaining the high standards of football kit and equipment in use.
Growth and Retention
Our membership levels continue to increase. With approximately 53 teams, we now have over 600 playing members in the club. We also have many satellite activities supporting the wider community outside of the structured weekend leagues, including Eaglets, Veterans and Walking football.
This was the second season that the Eaglets sessions were held on a Sunday morning at the football centre. These sessions have been very well attended and they allow 3 to 6 year old children the opportunity to experience the match day experience at the weekend, something that we hope will embed them into the club for years to come.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
Raising Standards and Addressing Abusive Behaviour
Operating from one site provides an environment where high standards of conduct are both expected and normal. Flitwick Eagles continue to ensure that all of those involved in coaching within the club have the necessary qualifications and safeguarding checks in place. The introduction of ID cards for all coaches, that display names and FAN numbers is an added safeguard in place at the club, one that sets a standard within the county. Codes of conduct for coaches, players and parents are embedded within the club and abusive behaviour of any kind will not be tolerated.
Running the Game Effectively
We continued with the registration process as in previous years with a signing on weekend. With over 600 members it was not possible to complete all signings on in one weekend and we therefore provided some additional signing on mornings and the flexibility of signing on players on an ad-hoc basis has also proven successful.
Ian Mulligan, our Treasurers’, leadership of the financial management of the club continues to be top class. Facing significant challenges from the Covid-19 pandemic, his management of the collection of subscriptions and control of expenditure proved invaluable to the club and has been especially important under the uncertainty of pandemic conditions. Under Ian’s stewardship the club has demonstrated its ability to manage finances very effectively – an important attribute both for club members and prospective funding bodies in ensuring that the club is sustainable.
Development of human resources
We continue to develop new coaches through Level 1 and maintain qualifications throughout the club. We also support further development of coaches and their qualifications, with a structured approach to paying for the courses. In addition, we are proud to host a number of FA CPD sessions throughout the season at the football centre, sessions that are always well attended by Flitwick Eagles coaches.
A number of the playing members have also shown an interest in refereeing, and this has helped to supplement the growing need for officials at the weekend. We are strong supporters of young and new referees and greatly appreciate their role in football.
We currently have a volunteer pool of over 70 Coaches and Managers who help on a regular basis and a large number of parents / carers who have a willingness to volunteer and help out with the myriad of tasks that need completing to keep the club and match days operating.
Marketing and Public Relations
We make use of the WhatsApp messaging service to convey important information through the team managers. We also rely on managers to convey important messages about events to their players and parents. The club has a higher presence now on social media, with Facebook and Twitter being regularly updated with club news.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
Football in the Community
Eaglets continue to be popular sessions, with positive feedback received from many parents on their children’s enjoyment of the sessions. In addition, walking football, veterans and SEN football are very well attended regular sessions and as a bonus, the veteran’s sessions are enjoyed by many of our coaches and volunteers.
Social Activities
Social activities have obviously been severely impacted by the Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions, but it is acknowledged that off pitch and outside of match days we need to work on developing the social side of the club. We have a great facility and a wide audience that gives us a great opportunity to widen participation. We intend to re-invigorate our social committee to ensure social events are organised and by improving our ability to communicate with members it is hoped that we can increase engagement and ensure social events are well attended.
Tournament
Our annual boys pre-season tournament held each year in late August or early September was cancelled in 2020 in view of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic and social distancing restrictions. This returned in autumn 2021, but on a much smaller scale in view of the social distancing restrictions.
Unfortunately, with great regret we were also unable to hold our girl’s end of season tournament in May 2021, although we intend to re-establish this event as soon as possible to promote and support girl’s football.
Presentations
End of season presentations were held by those Teams who wished to have them in the summertime, only once Covid restrictions allowed and in accordance with government guidelines.
Public benefit
The Trustees consider that the main activities of the Charity detailed in the objects above are for the public benefit and have given due regard to the Charities Commission guidance on public benefit.
Trustees
The trustees continue to ensure the club is operating on a sound base. The group met four times during the year and the Trustees who served during the period were:
| Geoff Springall (Chairman) | Lynda Gazeley |
|---|---|
| Melvyn Gazeley (Secretary) | Peter Hagan |
| Ian Mulligan (Treasurer) | Colin Giggle |
| Ian Noble (Vice Chairman) | Paul Jenkins |
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
Risk assessment
In accordance with the guidelines in the Charities Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) the trustees have considered the major risks affecting the trust and have taken steps to mitigate these as far as possible.
New trustee appointments and training
New trustees receive information on the charity in respect of its mission, charitable objectives, charitable activities and structure. Trustees are encouraged to attend appropriate external training events that will facilitate the undertaking of their role.
The trustees have regard to the need for any specialist skills which individuals bring to the charity.
Reserves policy
The trustees regard it as important to retain an adequate level of reserves to meet operating costs over the summer period relating to the provision of training facilities and the annual maintenance programme for the football pitches. Since there is minimal income during this period the Trustees have currently set a minimum reserves level of £20,000. This will be reviewed during the 2022 year to ensure that the level is sufficient to meet unforeseen costs and reflects any additional maintenance required from increased usage and cost increases for materials and services purchased.
Going concern
On January 29th 2020, the World Health Organization's Emergency Committee (WHD) declared that the COVID-19 coronavirus outbreak was a "public health emergency of international interest". The effects of the coronavirus pandemic on the UK population and economy have been significant.
The effects of the pandemic continued to impact the operations of the charity during the year ended 31 May 2021 and since the year end date. At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future given the actions available to the Trustees to mitigate the potential impact of the pandemic and connected matters on the charity.
Summary
On behalf of the trustees, I would like to thank everyone who has volunteered or supported the club, as you have all contributed to making Flitwick Eagles a club to be proud of.
G Springall
Geoff Springall Chairman
25[th] February 2022
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT TO THE TRUSTEES OF FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of Flitwick Eagles Football Club (the Charity) for the year ended 31 May 2021.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The Charity trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts. The Charity’s Trustees consider that an audit is not required for this year under Section 144 of the Charities Act 2011 (the Charities Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:-
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the Charities Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the General Directions given by the Charity Commission (under section 145(5)(b) of the Charities Act); and
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state whether particular matters have come to my attention.
Basis of Independent Examiner's report
My examination was carried out in accordance with the General Directions given by the Charity Commissioners. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosure in the accounts and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently no opinion is given as to whether the accounts present a ‘true and fair view’ and the report is limited to those matters set out in the statement below.
Independent Examiner's statement
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no material matters have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
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1) accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity in accordance with section 130 of the Charities Act; or
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2) the accounts do not accord with those records; or
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3) the accounts do not comply with the applicable requirements concerning the form and content of accounts set out in the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008 other than in respect of any requirement that the accounts give a ‘true and fair view’ which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination.
I have no concerns and in my opinion have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
P Fenn
Philip Fenn ACA FCCA
Mercer & Hole Chartered Accountants Silbury Court 420 Silbury Boulevard Central Milton Keynes, MK9 2AF 28[th] February 2022
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES FOR THE YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021 INCLUDING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT
| Notes Income Income from: Memberships & donations Charitable Activities 2 Investment income 3 Other Total Income Expenditure Expenditure on: Raising funds 4 Charitable activities and other expenses 5 Total Expenditure Total funds brought forward at 1 June 2019 Net income/(expenditure) Total funds carried forward at 31 May 2020 |
Unrestricted Funds 2021 £ 30,040 40,496 23 - 70,559 1,085 47,373 48,458 61,105 22,101 83,206 |
Unrestricted Funds 2020 £ 26,315 73,153 101 - |
|---|---|---|
| 99,569 | ||
| 5,063 84,399 |
||
| 89,462 | ||
| 50,998 10,107 |
||
| 61,105 |
The notes on pages 10 to 13 form part of these Financial Statements.
The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
All income and expenditure derives from continuing activities.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
BALANCE SHEET AS AT 31 MAY 2021
| Notes Current Assets Debtors 6 Cash at bank and in hand Total Current Assets Creditors (amounts falling due within one year) 7 Net Current Assets Total Net Assets Accumulated Funds Unrestricted general funds 9 Unrestricted designated funds 9 Restricted funds Total Funds of the Charity |
9,380 101,906 |
31 May 2021 £ 83,206 83,206 23,206 60,000 - 83,206 |
5,000 58,105 |
31 May 2020 £ |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 111,286 (28,080) |
63,105 (2,000) |
|||
| 61,105 | ||||
| 61,105 | ||||
| 21,105 40,000 - |
||||
| 61,105 |
Approved by the Board of Trustees on 25th February 2022 and signed on their behalf by:
I Mulligan
…………………………………..
I Mulligan ACMA Treasurer
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
1. Accounting policies
Basis of preparation
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019) – (Charities SORP (FRS 102)).
Flitwick Eagles Football Club meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the relevant accounting policy note(s).
The Trustees have taken advantage of the exemption in FRS102 Section 1A, from including a cash flow statement in the financial statements on the grounds that the organisation is small.
1.1 Fund accounting
Unrestricted funds comprise accumulated surpluses and deficits on general funds. They are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees of the charity in furtherance of the general charitable objectives. Designated funds are unrestricted funds that the Trustees have designated or allocated for identifiable future expenditure. Restricted funds are amounts for specific purposes as defined by the donor.
1.2 Income
Incoming resources represents donations, subscriptions, subsidies, sponsorship, grant funding and other income. Income is only recognised once it has been received and voluntary donations are recognised on receipt where the donation relates to the current accounting period.
1.3 Expenditure
Expenditure incurred on activities falling directly within one cost category have been recognised as such. Items of expenditure which involve more than one category have been allocated on a reasonable and consistent basis.
1.4 Capital expenditure
Items under £100 are not capitalised. Items over this level are assessed individually before a decision is made regarding whether they should be capitalised. Donated assets are recognised at their monetary value, as estimated by the trustees, when received and are capitalised at this value. In certain cases, where title to an asset is restricted so that it has either no or little net value to the charity, the trustees’ policy is that the item should not be capitalised in the accounts.
1.5 Debtors
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after any discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid after taking account of any discounts.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cont’d
1.6 Creditors and provisions
- Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably. Creditors and provisions are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts.
1.7 Financial Instruments
The charity only has financial assets and financial liabilities of a kind that qualify as basic financial instruments. Basic financial instruments are initially recognised at transaction value and subsequently measured at their settlement value.
1.8 Going concern
At the time of approving the financial statements, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. In making this assessment, the Trustees have reviewed the income and cash flow forecasts of the Charity and concluded that taking into account the possible impact of COVID-19 on activities, the mitigating actions that can be taken to control costs and the ability of the Charity to raise additional funds, that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future.
2. Income from Charitable Activities
| Football training Football tournaments Community activities |
2021 £ 34,965 - 5,531 40,496 |
2020 £ 58,535 11,350 3,268 73,153 |
|---|---|---|
Income from football training and football tournaments reduced due to the curtailment of activities due to mandatory and voluntary restrictions that were applied relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
3. Investment income
Investment income comprises bank interest totalling £23 (2020 : £101)
4. Expenditure on Raising Funds
| Tournament costs Prizes and social events Stationery & adverts |
2020 £ - 82 1,003 1,085 |
2020 £ 3,753 116 1,194 5,063 |
|---|---|---|
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cont’d
5. Expenditure on Charitable Activities
| Training and playing facilities Equipment Affiliation and League fees Match officials Tournament fees Coaching Trophies and prizes Community activities Repairs and maintenance Administration costs Independent examiners fee Donations |
2021 £ 25,593 10,885 1,218 5,222 - 480 3,202 - 118 655 - - 47,373 |
2020 £ 48,256 19,661 5,182 5,871 55 1,860 2,000 911 15 588 - - 84,399 |
|---|---|---|
Expenditure on training and playing facilities was reduced due to the temporary withdrawal of thirdparty facilities due to mandatory and voluntary restrictions that were applied by the facility operators relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
| 6. Debtors Inland Revenue Gift Aid 7. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year Accruals and deferred income |
2020 £ 9,380 9,380 2020 £ 28,080 28,080 |
2020 £ 5,000 |
||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 5,000 | ||||
| 2020 £ 2,000 |
||||
| 2,000 |
Accruals and deferred income relates to football training fees that were paid in advance by members and deferred due to the curtailment of activities due to the mandatory and voluntary restrictions that were applied relating to the Covid-19 pandemic.
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FLITWICK EAGLES FOOTBALL CLUB
YEAR ENDED 31 MAY 2021
8. Related Parties
Flitwick Eagles Football Club is a member of Flitwick Together, a Charitable Incorporated Organisation, registration number 1157451 that owns the lease to the Flitwick Football Centre. Flitwick Eagles Football Club has the right to appoint Member Trustees to Flitwick Together CIO and Lynda Gazeley and Ian Mulligan are currently Trustees of both Flitwick Eagles Football Club and Flitwick Together CIO.
Costs of £ Nil (2020: £ Nil) were recharged to the charity by Flitwick Together CIO in respect of repair and maintenance costs during the year. No amounts were owed to, or due from Flitwick Together CIO at the year-end (2020: £nil).
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS Cont’d
The Flitwick Sports Community Interest Company Limited operates the Flitwick Football Centre on behalf of Flitwick Together CIO. Melvyn Gazeley is currently a Trustee of Flitwick Eagles Football Club and a director of The Flitwick Sports Community Interest Company Limited.
Flitwick Eagles Football Club paid rent for the hire of facilities during the year of £17,000 (2020: £17,000) and purchased equipment of £nil (2020: £nil) from The Flitwick Sports Community Interest Company Limited on an arm’s length basis. No amounts were owed to, or due from The Flitwick Sports Community Interest Company Limited at the year-end (2020: £nil).
9. Funds
All assets and liabilities are held as unrestricted funds, although a further £20,000 of the unrestricted funds have been designated this year by the trustees in respect of the maintenance and improvement of the training and playing facilities, which are expected to need substantial expenditure in the near future in view of the high levels of usage.
There are no restricted funds.
10. Reserves policy
The charity has a policy of holding an adequate level of general reserves to meet operating costs over the summer ‘pre-season’ period and have therefore set a minimum level for unrestricted general funds of £20,000. This will be reviewed annually to ensure that the level is sufficient to ensure the long-term stability of the charity.
11. Remuneration to Trustees for services
None of the Trustees received any remuneration or reimbursement for expenses in respect of their services as a Trustee during the year.
12. Control
The Charity is controlled by the trustees.
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