Woking Cougars Football Club
Trustees’ Report and Accounts For the year ended 31 May 2025 Charity number: 1143056
Woking Cougars Football Club
Contents
| Item | Page |
|---|---|
| Trustees’ Annual Report | 1-4 |
| Independent Examiner’s report | 5 |
| Statement of financial position | 6 |
| Income/Expenditure report | 7 |
| Notes to the financial statements | 8-10 |
Woking Cougars Football Club
Trustees’ Annual Report
For the year ended 31 May 2025
Legal and Administrative details
General information
Woking Cougars FC (WCFC) is an unincorporated association which promotes community participation in healthy recreation by providing or assisting in the provision of facilities for playing football.
The club has a current membership of over 550 footballers ranging from age 4 through to 17.
There are approximately 116 coaching and support staff , all operating on a volunteer basis. In terms of qualifications, WCFC has the following setup:
-
All coaches hold the relevant FA safeguarding qualification
-
At least one coach per team holds the relevant FA First Aid qualification
-
At least one coach per team holds an FA-accredited coaching qualification
Registered office
Woking Cougars FC, PO Box 1634, Woking, Surrey, GU20 5GB.
Contact
Andy Simpson, Club Secretary Email: secretary@wokingcougars.com
Trustees
The committee of Woking Cougars Football Club (“the charity”) are its trustees for the purposes of charity law and throughout this report are collectively referred to as the trustees. As set out in the constitution the trustees are elected by the Membership attending the Annual General Meeting, to serve for a period of one year.
Chairman: Dan Cefai, re-elected June 2024 Secretary: Andy Simpson, elected June 2024 Treasurer: James Adcock, elected June 2024 2[nd] Treasurer: Ellie Mills, elected June 2024
The club is managed by a volunteer management committee whose members are currently as follows:
Club Chairman: Dan Cefai Club Secretary: Andy Simpson Club Treasurer: James Adcock Club Development Officer: Dan Oswin Club Welfare Officer: Amanda Chapman Fixture Secretary: Alice Oswin IT Coordinator: Christian Beck Membership Secretary: Rob Smith
1
Woking Cougars Football Club
Trustees’ Annual Report For the year ended 31 May 2025
The Management Committee seek to meet up to six times a year to administer the charity. Membership of the charity is open to all individuals.
Independent examiner
Philip Somjen
Bankers
Barclays Bank
Related parties
There are no related parties.
Overview of Activities
The objectives of the charity have been pursued through a range of activities. These include:
-
Coaching boys and girls in football skills and team play
-
Organising training and match facilities for all team players
-
Organising football matches for all team players
-
Organising/holding social events for all team players, their siblings and parents/guardians
Funding for these activities comes from Members and sponsors.
The following represents the financial statements for the club for the twelve months to 31 May 2025. The committee consider the financial statements to be a true and fair view of the statement of financial affairs for the club for that period, and they have been subject to an independent review by Philip Somjen (CIMA).
In 2024/25 the club made net income of £1,405 (2023/24: £8,922)
Activities for the year
The club continued to successfully grow its membership base during the year, with over 550 children registered aged 4–17.
There were 38 teams registered with local Surrey County football leagues for the 2024–25 season across U7– U17 age groups. These teams are managed and coached by 116 volunteer staff, all of whom maintain valid Enhanced DBS certification and FA safeguarding qualifications as a minimum.
Each team continues to meet the club’s minimum coaching standards, with appropriately qualified coaches in place across all age groups.
Whilst this continued growth is a significant achievement, it is noted that the club is approaching capacity across its current training venues and will need to explore additional facilities to support future expansion.
2
Woking Cougars Football Club
Trustees’ Annual Report continued…
For the year ended 31 May 2025
The Club Committee and Management team continue to focus on delivering the core off-field objectives established in recent years, with the aim of building one of the leading grassroots youth football environments in Surrey.
The club continues to improve its visibility through its website and social media platforms, which continue to see strong engagement across members and the wider community.
The Club management platform, SportMember, continues to be used and has undergone further improvements, enhancing usability and operational efficiency.
The club continues to provide access to all-weather training facilities for its members.
Sponsorship & Commercial
The club’s main sponsorship agreement with Zenstone has been successfully extended through to the end of the 2025–26 season , reflecting the strength of the partnership and continued support for the club’s activities.
The club also continues to work closely with its commercial partners to provide high-quality kit and equipment. Official Nike kit and training wear remain available via the Club Shop, managed by Kitlocker UK.
Additional supplier arrangements have been implemented to ensure quality and value for money across all football equipment.
Coaching & Player Development
The club continues its partnerships with The Coaching Manual and TopTekkers, providing coaches with access to high-quality training content and development tools to support delivery of a professional and engaging training environment.
Plans for the Future
The Committee’s focus for the next 12 months is to continue enhancing the club environment and overall member experience, both on and off the pitch.
This includes:
-
Supporting continued growth in a structured and sustainable manner
-
Integrating new coaches and volunteers effectively
-
Expanding facility access to meet increasing demand
-
Maintaining a positive, inclusive and development-focused culture across all age groups
Reserves Policy
The Trustees consider it prudent to maintain reserves at a level sufficient to cover the ongoing costs of running the Club, including pitch hire, training facilities and equipment.
Woking Cougars Football Club
3
Trustees’ Annual Report continued… For the year ended 31 May 2025
Given that expenditure levels fluctuate in line with membership and activity levels, the Club maintains an appropriate cash buffer, which is reviewed regularly by the Committee.
Risk Management
The Trustees have reviewed the major risks to which the charity is exposed.
-
Personnel risks are managed through active recruitment, succession planning and ongoing development of volunteers
-
Expenditure risks are controlled through defined approval processes, with dual authorisation required for payments
-
Income risks are managed through:
-
Ongoing financial planning and fee-setting
-
Active pursuit of sponsorship and membership growth
Public Benefit
The Trustees confirm that they have complied with their duty to have due regard to the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit when reviewing the charity’s aims and planning future activities.
Trustees’ Responsibilities
Charity law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charity and of the surplus or deficit of the charity for that year. In preparing those financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
-
select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
-
make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent; and
-
state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
The Trustees are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charity and hence taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
…………………………………….
Dan Cefai Chairman
Date: 30[th] March 2026
For and on behalf of the Committee
Woking Cougars Football Club
4
For the year ended 31 May 2025
Independent Examiner’s report
Independent examiner’s report to the trustees of Woking Cougars Football Club
I report on the accounts of Woking Cougars Football Club for the year ended 31 May 2025, which are set out on pages 6 to 9.
Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner
The charity’s 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(2) of the Charities Act 2011 (the 2011 Act) and that an independent examination is needed.
It is my responsibility to:
-
examine the accounts under section 145 of the 2011 Act;
-
follow the procedures laid down in the general Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act; and
-
to 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 Commission. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. An examination also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures 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
In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention:
-
Which gives me reasonable cause to believe that in any material aspect the requirements:
-
to keep accounting records in accordance with the section 130 of the 2011 Act; and
-
to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and comply with the accounting requirements of the 2011 Act
have not been met; or
- To which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
……………………………………. Philip Somjen Independent Examiner
Dated: 30[th] March 2026
Woking Cougars Football Club
5
Statement of financial position
As at 31 May 2025
| Non-current assets Current assets Cash at bank & in hand Other Current liabilities Net current assets Net assets Equity Retained earnings Current year income/(expenditure) |
2025 £ - 65,752 862 66,614 6,268 60,346 60,346 58,938 1,405 60,346 |
2024 £ - 58,938 - |
|---|---|---|
| 58,938 - |
||
| 58,938 | ||
| 58,938 | ||
| 50,016 8,922 |
||
| 58,938 |
The accounts on pages 6 to 9 were approved by the trustees and signed on their behalf by:
…………………………………..
James Adcock Treasurer (Trustee)
Date: 30[th] March 2026
The accompanying notes form an integral part of this statement of financial position.
6
Woking Cougars Football Club
Income and expenditure For the year ended 31 May 2025
| Income Club membership Match fees Club sponsorship Donations Fundraising Bank interest Additional club activities Expenses Training facilities Pitch fees Club presentation Other costs Income/(Expenditure) |
2025 £ 75,359 25,238 - 6,674 332 999 5,078 113,680 60,324 23,725 8,377 19,849 112,275 1,405 |
2024 £ 68,493 20,401 20,000 50 305 754 1,143 |
|---|---|---|
| 115,146 50,545 21,666 8,233 25,780 |
||
| 106,224 | ||
| 8,922 |
7
Woking Cougars Football Club
Notes to the financial statements For the year ended 31 May 2025
1. Accounting policies
Basis of accounting
The accounts have been prepared on a receipts and payments basis.
Incoming resources
Income is recognised in the period in which the charity is entitled to receipt and the amount can be measured with reasonable certainty.
Resources expended
All costs incurred are direct costs and have been allocated directly to the charity’s activities.
Tangible fixed assets and depreciation
The Trustees consider it prudent to immediately write off all costs associated with equipment, kit and other supplies. Hence, the accounts do not recognise any fixed assets.
Stock
Stock is included at the lower of cost and net realisable value.
Fund Accounting
General funds are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the charity. Designated funds represent unrestricted funds, which the Trustees have set aside for a specific purpose. Restricted funds are funds subject to specific restriction imposed by donors.
2. Trustees
The Trustees did not receive any remuneration through the year. Expenses were paid to Trustees where costs were incurred directly on behalf of the charity. All expense claims have to be duly submitted to the committee for approval with relevant receipts and a completed claim form.
8
Woking Cougars Football Club
Notes to the financial statements continued… For the year ended 31 May 2025
3. Sponsorship and Other costs
| Sponsorship Kits Equipment Club welfare and training League registrations Professional coaching Fines General expenses Other year costs Other costs |
2025 £ - - 7,994 3,363 3,772 1,000 282 3,438 - 19,849 |
2024 £ - |
|---|---|---|
| 6,235 10,906 1,625 3,311 1,000 624 1,743 336 |
||
| 25,780 |
The charity employs no staff, other than professional coaches on a freelance basis; all the charity’s costs are direct costs. As a result of this, no support costs have been identified.
In the year 2023-2024 the club agreed a 2-year sponsorship deal of £20,000 with a main sponsor. In 202425 the club received a one-off donation of £5,000 from a generous party. These funds were used in various areas across the club. The club is exploring future sponsorship deals.
4. Training facilities and Pitch hire
The cost of both training facilities and pitch hire continues to increase due to both annual inflation in prices alongside the additional requirement of more pitches due to increased member size. A decision was taken at the start of the season to freeze both registrations at £150 (annually and per member with 10% discount on any additional member) and match subs at £4 for each player per match. The club carries out a regular review of financial reserves to assess any potential increases required.
5. Club presentation
In 2025, the Club held the annual Club Presentation Day. The Trustees recognise any gross income and expenditure in the annual accounts to reflect the nature of the payment and receipts made. The cost in the year includes the cost of trophies of £4.5k (2023-24: £5k) along with the cost of venue hire of £1k (2023-24: £1k).
6. Cash at bank
During the financial year 2024 to 2025 an interest-bearing savings account was used to hold a significant part of the bank balance, and during the period £999 (2023-24: £754) was earned in interest.
9