WIGAN JUNIOR LATICS FOOTBALL CLUB
Annual Report to the Charity Commission 2020-21
Wigan Junior Latics Football Club became a Charitable Incorporated Organisation on 23 October 2015 having originally formed as a junior football club in 1983. The club has grown in size to field 25 teams last year. This enabled over 300 children to play football which when linked to the wider family involvement illustrates how the Club successfully impacts widely across the community. The values inherent in the club remain so important as they help to shape the lives of so many people across the Wigan Borough. Football is at the centre of our activities and it is pleasing that we have had success on the playing front across a number of our teams. We remain a Charter Standard club, affiliated to the Lancashire FA and have teams playing in the Bolton, Bury and District Football League and the Warrington Junior Football League.
The club secured early compliance with the Lancashire FA and maintained its Charter Standard status including ensuring all of our managers and coaches are at least FA Level 1 qualified, DBS registered and hold up to date qualifications in Safeguarding and FA Emergency First Aid. The club continues to grow and develop, we entered 1 team into the Bolton and Bury District League, along with 24 other teams into the Warrington League.
Our success is down to the hard work and dedication to grassroots football of my small but extremely positive Committee:
Shaun Aspey (Vice Chair); Annette Hamilton (Secretary); Rob Foster (Welfare Officer); Elaine Ellison (Treasurer); and Paul Nicklas (Development Officer).
I am extremely proud to have been involved with the club for nearly 10 years, during this time we have tried to maintain the highest standard of both Administration and level of Football played and long may these aims continue.
When I took on the role of Club Chairman, I never believed I would be worked so hard in such a difficult climate. I have to say that the last year has been extremely testing but we as a club are still in a very strong position financially. I would like to thank each one of the Committee for their support throughout this difficult period. I will stress that the purpose of the committee is to ensure that the club runs with the laws set out by the FA and to ensure football is played enjoyably by all involved with the club, but over the last 12 months they have been forced to work extremely hard just to keep the club compliant so we could restart
Registered Charity 1164077
the game. I see the latter as an ongoing task for the foreseeable future and would welcome everyone to volunteer to help out with basic tasks at the club.
As in previous seasons, the FA and Leagues continue to enforce more policies and procedures into grassroots football. It has always been in the clubs DNA to provide the safest and best environment for it’s members to flourish and I must pass on my personal thanks to all the Managers and Coaches for all their hard work adhering to the current rigorous changes to make Match Day happen.
The annual club presentation was not held this year due to Covid restrictions, instead teams help their own team presentations over video conferencing. A special thank you goes to Annette Hamilton and Elaine Ellison for ensuring all teams received their trophies.
The Club AGM was not held due to Covid Restrictions.
After many years’ association with the club, Shaun Aspey, Vice Chairman retired from his post. Shaun has been a major part of Wigan Junior Latics for such a long time and I would like to commend Shaun for his service to the club, and the pivotal role he has played in the development of Bankes Avenue playing fields.
I would like to thank all who are involved in helping Wigan Junior Latics continue to be a family club committed to making a positive impact on the lives of children in and around the Wigan area. I would also like to thank all Managers, Coaches, Committee Members for all of their hard work and support this year.
I look forward to the club and the Wigan Junior Latics family continuing to grow, providing football for the youth of Wigan in a safe environment.
Andrew Galbraith Chairman Wigan Junior Latics
Registered Charity 1164077
Treasurer Report – Wigan Junior Latics 20[th] June 2020 – 19[th] June 2021
The accounts for the previous year (20.6.19 – 19.6.20) were audited by Samantha Clark , Qualified Accountant and have been submitted to the charities commission.
The accounts for the current year (20.6.20 – 19.6.21) have been prepared and are in the process of being submitted to the accountant.
Subs income for the year was £54931 in comparison to £51629 in the previous year. The committee are keen to support our parents during these difficult financial times and agreed a reduction in subs payments from £20pm to £5pm in February and March when the second lockdown was in place. This is in addition to subs being paid at a reduced amount of £4 in August 2020.
As at the end of the season, a number of players were in arrears with their subs. The club have agreed that any player who is in arrears at the end of August 2021 will not be registered for the forthcoming season, unless there are special circumstances. The club are keen to provide assistance to those who through illness etc are unable to pay the full amount and will look at these on an individual basis. Players who have been consistently in arrears throughout their time with Wigan Junior Latics will no longer be registered.
Expenditure was £ 55825.29. The club’s greatest expenses related to improvements to Bankes Avenue and Winter training provided by School Lettings. Training and pitch hire has been predominately through School Lettings which is a new company set up in the wake of SLS being declared bankrupt last year. The club paid £10899.03 for the hire of pitches and facilities for training. It was decided by the committee to continue with the hire of facilities Easter onwards to help facilitate social distancing as the club were able to manage the number of players/parents at the individual venues rather than risk crowding at Bankes Avenue.
The club are owed £1242 from SLS which is being processed via Fortis who are the official liquidator. I do not anticipate us recovering this amount due to large amounts owed by the company to official sources but will persue all avenues to recover. The amount potentially owed to SLS was reduced by withholding payment as the first lockdown appeared imminent – this has saved the club around £2000. Expenditure at Bankes Avenue was £30387.57 which includes £10,000 awarded by the FA for pitch improvements. Other expenditure at Bankes Avenue includes the completion of the dugouts and the installation of a concrete walkway which has improved the accessibility to the fields and cosmetic appearance.
All monies paid out are supported by the appropriate paperwork, and this is available at club meetings upon request. It was proposed last year to move the academy to pay by monthly standing order – however, the academy has not run this year due to covid and staffing issues. Referee fees have been made via online banking to the relevant Manager/Coach/Parent rep to give a clear audit trail.
Current account 309897 63454468
The closing balance on the current account is £10299.86cr
Savings Account 309897 71546868
Monies held in this account were from the proceeds of the sportsmans dinner held during the previous season. These monies have been utilised towards the dugouts. The balance remaining in the account is to be used as a “float” for future fundraising events which hopefully will take place during the new season, covid permitting.
As at 19.06.21, the closing balance on the sportsmans dinner savings account was £423.51cr
Club Savings account 309897 65445060
Monies paid into the account include a transfer from the current account £10,000 and £2,500 from Mr P Lloyd towards the cost of the lawnmower purchased earlier in the year.
The closing balance on the savings account was £16381.50cr.
The total amount held by the club as at 19.06.21 is £27104.87cr
During the year, we successfully secured the invoicing of rates for Bankes avenue to be split between Wigan Junior Latics and Orrell St James by Wigan MBC. This has resulted in the club having 100% rates relief (Orrell St James had an 80% reduction due to income from the sale of alcohol at the bar). The club continue to work with Orrell St James to maintain a harmonious lease/sub lease relationship.
Finally, I would like to thank the Committee, Managers, Coaches, Parents and Players for their continued support in what has been a difficult season.
Elaine Ellison Club Treasurer
Audit Report of Wigan Junior Latics – 20th June 2020 – 19th June 2020
Closing balances:
Treasurers Account - £10299.86 Sportsman Savings Account - £423.51 Savings Account - £16381.50 Total - £27104.87
Findings on the club’s accounts are that the club is consistent with running effectively as in previous years due to the thorough attention to detail from the current treasurer.
Organisation remains the key with regards to each team, payments, paperwork and every aspect is covered in every detail possible. Attention to detail is impeccable.
All payments issued are covered and accounted for with every possible relevant piece of paperwork required and all receipts with regards to team subscriptions are accounted for on the spreadsheets relating to the team concerned along with notes made against each receipt on the bank statement as to which team the payment is relating to.
The bank is reconciled on a monthly basis allocating payments and receipts, enabling any discrepancy to be pinpointed within that month. Each month also having its own individual spreadsheet within the paper accounts supplied.
The efficiency of the accounting system is impeccable thanks to the dedication and hours of time and patience that Elaine still provides to the club. This shows in every single piece of paperwork that collates the accounts for the club.
My recommendation to the club is to carry on as they have been doing providing enjoyment to youngsters and their families showing their second to none team spirit.
Best regards
Samantha Clark - AATQB