.
|||||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|**Trustees' Annual Report**|||||**for theperiod**|||
|**From**|Period start date|||**To**|Period end date|||
||Day
**1**|Month
July|Year
**2024**||
Day
**30**|Month
**June**|Year
**2025**|
## Section A Reference and administration details
## **Charity name** Sandbach United Football Club (CIO)
**Other names charity is known by** None
**Registered charity number (if any)** 1197338
**Charity's principal address Sandbach United Football Club**
**Hind Heath Road Sandbach Cheshire Postcode CW11 3LZ**
## **Names of the charity trustees and officials who manage the charity**
|1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10|**Trustee name**|**Office (if any)**|**Dates acted if not for whole**
**year **|**Name of person (or body) entitled**
**to appoint trustee (ifany)**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||Peter Colclough|Chairman (Trustee)|From 1 July 2024 to 31
December 2024|Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Simon Tillott|Chairman (Trustee)|From 1 January 2025 to
present|Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Ian Dolman|Club Treasurer
(Trustee)||Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Chris Hall|Business Manager
(Trustee)||Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Liz Clark|Disability &
Inclusion Officer
(Non-Trustee)|To 31 March 2025 - Post
now vacant|Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Bob Burns|Club Welfare
Officer (Trustee)||Executive Committee &
Membership|
||Janine Byron|CIO Secretary
(Trustee)|From 16 October 2024|Executive Member &
Membership|
||Oliver Byron|Head of Football
(Non-Trustee)||Executive Member &
Membership|
||Geraint Price Jones|Project Manager
(Trustee)|From 16 October 2024|Executive Member &
Membership|
||David Morgan|Club Secretary
(Trustee)|From 19 March 2025|Executive Member &
Membership|
## **Names of the trustees for the charity, if any, (for example, any custodian trustees)**
**Name Dates acted if not for whole year**
**TAR**
September 2023
1
## **Names and addresses of advisers (Optional information)**
**Type of adviser**
**Name Address**
## **Name of chief executive or names of senior staff members (Optional information)**
Oliver Byron – Operations Manager
## **Section B Structure, governance and management**
## **Description of the charity’s trusts**
Type of governing document
Associated Model Governing Document
- (eg. trust deed, constitution)
As a Charitable Incorporated Organisation How the charity is constituted
- (eg. trust, association, company)
Trustee selection methods
(eg. appointed by, elected by)
Recruitment and formal appointment
## **Additional governance issues (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant, about:
- policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees;
- the charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works;
- relationship with any related parties;
- trustees’ consideration of major risks and the system and procedures to manage them.
## **Trustee Recruitment/Training/Induction**
- All trustees apply by way of a formal application form and by providing a biography of their skills, experience and knowledge which deems them suitable for the post.
- Once successful via the SUFC recruitment process, Trustees are then provided with FA committee training together with any relevant training required such as Welfare Officers training. All Committee members are required to complete additional Safeguarding for Children, First Aid and Concussion Training through the FA Training Portal.
- They receive other training through mentorship, peer support and the reading of existing policies and procedures.
## **Committee Roles**
The Executive Committee comprises of:
- Chairman
- CIO Secretary
- Treasurer
- Club Secretary
- Club Welfare Officer
- Head of Football
- Business Manager
- Project Manager x 2
- Club Operational Manager.
## **Partners and Stakeholders**
The charity is connected to:
- Local County, Regional and National FA.
- Other charitable organisations such as:
- The Connor Ruscoe Memorial Fund
**TAR**
September 2023
2
- Cheshire Buddies
- McMillan
- Cerebral Palsy United
- Sandbach and Middlewich Foodbank
- Dementia UK
- Breast Cancer Now
## **Risks and Mitigations**
The major risks currently are the lack of training facilities and car parking space for the number of members wishing to join the club.
We are currently working with the Football Foundation, Sports England and the Local Authority to explore additional funding to develop the site. Systems are in place to manage the increased demand for training facilities with other off-site facilities being explored.
Car parking is being managed through use of an additional overflow car park and ongoing maintenance of the existing car park to mitigate any health and safety risks associated with the current site.
## **Section C Objectives and activities**
The SUFC Charitable Objects are: _For the public benefit, the advancement of amateur sport, namely all aspects of football to promote physical and mental health and wellbeing by involving exertion, mental skill and social_ **Summary of the objects of the** _interaction in the town of Sandbach and surrounding neighbourhoods to all_ **charity set out in its** _members of the community regardless of their age, gender, race, religion,_ **governing document** _ability and any other characteristics by the provision of a sports venue and facility and associated activities._ **Please see below a summary of how the Club is meeting the required public benefits of the CIO objects/purposes:**
● _**Providing public participation in amateur sport**_ ● _**Providing opportunities for physical activity for young people and adults**_ At SUFC we are consistently seeing an increase in demand for members to join the Club. As of 30 June 2025, there are 66 football teams of varying **Summary of the main activities undertaken for the** abilities for both boys and girls between the ages of 4 years to open age (18+). **public benefit in relation to these objects (include within** These consist of: **this section the statutory declaration that trustees have** ● Male Teams – 43 separate teams containing 762 players **had regard to the guidance** ● Female Teams – 19 separate teams containing 249 players **issued by the Charity** ● Disability Teams – 4 teams containing 50 players **Commission on public** ● Total Players - 1061 **benefit)** ● Total Junior Players - 937 ● Total Adult Players - 124
We operate a waiting list at most ages and are consistently looking at how we can increase the offer at the Club to cater for all people who express an interest in joining the organisation.
Other activities at the Club include:
**TAR**
September 2023
3
- Walking football
- Walking cricket
- Soccer Sixes
- Private hire of 3G
- Soccer camps
- Girls Wildcats
- Soccer School
- Sport birthday parties
- Football Festivals/Tournaments
- Coaches and Family Tournament
- Walking group
- University of the 3rd Age
- Walking Football and Cricket
- BTEC Education and Semi-Professional Football Academy (ESPFA)
The Club also funds young people who wish to take up refereeing to take the appropriate qualifications and training courses. In 2024/2025 we funded 6 young people through the Cheshire FA Referee Programme.
- _**Providing opportunities to support the mental health and wellbeing of young people and adults**_
- _**Providing opportunities to increase social interaction and tackle social isolation**_
There is much evidence to suggest that taking part in sporting activity can have a profound and positive impact on people’s mental health and mood. Being physically active can increase mood, reduce the chances of depression and anxiety and can lead to a more balanced and healthier lifestyle. By providing the range of activities (detailed above) we feel that we are supporting children, young people, adults and older people to help to manage their own mental health by being involved in sporting activity at the Club.
SUFC has two fully trained Youth Mental Health FA England First Aiders and one Open University “Supporting Children's Mental Health and Wellbeing” qualified people on site and available at any time.
In terms of tackling social isolation and increasing social interaction we have a range of activities to support this. We continue to offer an “Over 65 coffee morning” which takes place monthly offering a book club, sharing of knitting patterns, reminiscent sessions, concerts and quizzes to encourage local socially isolated people to make friends and socialise.
We also hold regular Open Mic sessions, Bingo, Quizzes etc and have expanded our food offer to encourage more people, both members and non-members, to come along to the club and socialise. We also have social teams at SUFC such as Walking Football; Walking Cricket; VETS team and Women’s Social Football Team.
## ● _**Providing volunteering opportunities for all ages:**_
SUFC have approx. 6 FTE paid staff which are made up of:
- Operations Manager
- Football Administrator
- Bar and Kitchen staff
- Caretakers
- Groundsman
**TAR**
September 2023
However, the Club is run mainly by part time staff and volunteers who willingly give up their time to help to run the community facility. We have a range of opportunities and positions such as: Match day stewards; team managers; coaches; parent helpers; admin workers; Executive Committee members/Trustees and Over 65 Group volunteers. We also offer a range of opportunities for young people to complete work experience.
● _**Providing opportunities for protected characteristic groups to enjoy football and social engagement.**_ **Disability Football - Pan Disability sessions** – We facilitate Biweekly Pan Disability sessions and regularly receive positive feedback from the children and parents on the value of attending the sessions. For the 24/25 season we now have an U16 team in the league which are doing well.
We pride ourselves on being a Club that provides “Football for all!” We continue to work with 5 volunteers from our u15's Girls team and other coaches from the club which regularly volunteer their time to help. **Cerebral Palsy United** These are weekly sessions that take place at the Sandbach United Facility. This group continues to train weekly with members, all with differing levels of mobility - wheelchair, sticks and free walking. **Cheshire Buddies - Term time and holiday sessions at Sandbach United** The term time sessions are run for children from Oaklands and Springfields SEN schools, we did a school term for each school every Thursday evening. At holiday times we run weekly sessions for children from the Buddies charity, they can be from any school where the children have additional needs. With the above groups we do lots of other activities in addition to football - Christmas parties with Santa, Bingo, Bowling, Tubing etc. It is so much more than just football! **Over 65's coffee morning**
As stated earlier, we run monthly, free coffee and cake mornings. Drinks are provided by the club and cakes are provided by volunteers from the group and certain teams. Numbers are still growing, and we can sometimes host up to 30 people, which is great. They are quite a lively bunch, and volunteers report that they enjoy hearing their stories. We also held a Christmas dinner for all members with entertainment,
**TAR**
September 2023
5
bingo, raffles etc which was thoroughly enjoyed by all.
They also like to give back, so each month they choose a charity to which they can donate.
## **Helping others and Community**
We continue to hold an annual foodbank collection which is split between Sandbach and Middlewich Foodbank and we get a great response each year from everyone at the club.
We have again worked with the CRMF charity to help raise funds for sick children by hosting quiz nights and a football match in aid of the charity.
## ● _**Opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award**_
We provide a range of voluntary and physical activity opportunities for young people to complete this award. In 2024/2025 we supported 5 of our members to achieve the Bronze award.
## **Additional details of objectives and activities (Optional information)**
|You**may choose**to include
further statements, where
relevant, about:
policy on grantmaking;
policy programme related
investment;
contribution made by
volunteers.|**Grant Making**
SUFC is not a grant making charity and therefore the policy does not apply.
**Club Strategy**
We have a Club Strategy document which details our plans for investment
in the future. Our key investment priorities are improvements to the car
park and improved LED lighting.
The Strategy is reviewed annually and a more comprehensive review is
due to take place during 2025/2026.
**Social Value**
In terms of the contribution made by volunteers to the club, we invest in
approx 200 volunteers to ensure that all volunteers are qualified and skilled
to and have the right skills, attributes and capabilities to deliver high quality
training to our members._(See Summary of key Achievements for further_
_detail)_.
It is estimated that the total number of hours per year can be calculated as
follows:
No of volunteers = 200 (this is a conservative estimate)
200 x 10 hours per week (average) = 2000 x 45 weeks = 90,000 hours per
annum.
ONS data suggests the value of 1 hour volunteering is the equivalent of a
paid role of £14.43 per hour. This equates to a total of £1,298,700 in social
value to the local economy.|
|---|---|
**TAR**
September 2023
6
## Section D Achievements and performance
Summary of the main achievements of the charity during the year
Football related achievements 2024/2025
## **Replacement of the 3G Surface**
Probably the biggest achievement and investment this year has been the replacement of the facilities 3G surface. This is a major project for the Club at a cost of £220,000.
The project required the current training programme to be amended with alternative training facilities provided.
The project took 6 weeks to complete in its entirety and is now fully functional and taking pride of place at the Club. Feedback has been fantastic from members and this should now, other than regular maintenance, not need any further substantial investment for the next 10 years.
## **Team Achievements for the Season 2024/2025**
2024/2025 has yet again been an incredibly successful year for SUFC with a range of awards, trophies, cups etc. being won together with a whole host of other achievements gained throughout the year. A summary is provided below:
- **League Title Winners**
o Under 12 Eagles
o Under 13 Eagles o Under 15 United o Under 16 United o Under 18 United
- **League Cup Winners**
o Under 13 United
o Under 15 United o Under 16 United
## ● **District Cup Cup Winners**
o Men’s Reserve Team
- **NWCFL League Play Off Finals**
o SUFC 1[st] team - Achieved play off finals for the 3[rd] year in succession.
- **Girls Achievements**
o U10 Mid-Cheshire Cup Winners o U10 Inter-locality Cup Winners o U11 Newcastle Town Tournament Winners o U11 Eagles Bollington Tournament Winners o U12 Tytherington Football Festival Winners
## **The Sandbach United FC Football Festival**
Our annual Sandbach United FC Football Festival returned in 2025, with a series of tournaments from Under 8’s to Under 17’s boys and girls. Over
**TAR**
September 2023
7
## Section D Achievements and performance
time, our FA affiliated tournaments have a growing reputation with numbers increasing and teams travelling from Carlisle, Newcastle Upon on Tyne and Blackpool to take part. This is, in no small part, due to the excellent organisation by the team, the quality of the football and of course our fantastic facility.
This season’s Festival resulted in:
- 7 full days of tournaments ● Nearly 3500 players visiting our facility
- 608 matches played ● Over 35 hours of football
The feedback has been fantastic with teams already looking forward to our 2026 Festival.
## **New recruits and Mandatory Training**
The Club has recruited 8 new managers and coaches over the course of 2024/2025 with 99% of them having completed all the mandatory training.
The Training Offer at the Club consists of:
- PlayMaker
- Children’s Safeguarding
- Emergency Aid
- Introduction to Coaching Football
- Safeguarding for Committee members
- Concussion Guidelines
- UEFA B
- UEFA C
- Enhanced DBS certificate.
Coaches are also encouraged and funded to complete the Introduction to Coaching Football Qualification from the FA. Where necessary the Club will also fund higher level qualifications in order to ensure that coaches deliver the best quality coaching to our members at all times.
## **Soccer School**
It became apparent to the club during the 2024-25 season that our Soccer School offering was not working as well as we thought it could. Our Soccer School is a child’s first introduction to the club and often their first introduction to a structured form of football. It is specifically aimed at Reception and Year One children. Following extensive market research and parent/coach consultation, the club have engaged the services of Conor Thomas Academy to assist with the coaching and have brought all administration in house to improve the offering to the players and parents alike.
## **Non-Football related achievements 2024/2025**
## **The Cross Bar**
The Cross Bar is integral to the success of the Club offering an opportunity to socialise, relax and make new friends.
**TAR**
September 2023
8
Section D Achievements and performance
The Cross Bar has seen an annual turnover increase of 20% from 2024 to 2025 for the same period each year.
In addition to this, from a facility point of view the Club has:
- Decorated the Cross bar Area with a new more modern design.
- Refit the Club Office to be more functional
- Refurbished the Hospitality Suite which is used for match games and training purposes.
- Purchased new outdoor furniture for the Cross Bar
## **Fundraising and Community Social events**
The club regularly holds fund raising activities such as: Golden Goal, Pot of Gold Tournament, World Cup/Euro sweepstakes, Football cards etc. Teams are also actively encouraged to take part in these to raise funds for their own Age Group Funds.
In addition to this the Club has facilitated several other appeals for the local community and people in need:
- Foodbank collections
- Charity matches and quiz night for the Connor Ruscoe Memorial Fund
## **Sponsorships**
The club also raises funds through sponsorship deals. The Club has a three-year sponsorship deal in place and the Men’s First Team also raise funds through advertisement boards around the main pitch. All teams at all levels and age groups are actively encouraged to arrange sponsorship deals with local businesses, again, to raise money for their individual Age Group Funds.
In total there are over 100 separate sponsorship deals across the Club.
## **Section E Financial review**
## **Policy on Reserves**
**Brief statement of the charity’s policy on reserves**
- Following the initial grant allocation in 2011/2012 from the Football Foundation, one of the grant conditions is to ensure that the sink fund amounts to £150K,(to be achieved over a 10 year period). This is to ensure that the 3G can be replaced.
**TAR**
September 2023
9
- The 3G was replaced in May 2025 as part of the grant conditions applied to this grant at a cost of £220,000.
- The Club currently has £10K in its reserves.
## **Budget Management**
In addition to this, budgets are in place for both Pre-Planned and unexpected maintenance.
A budget format has been implemented so income and expenditure can be monitored to reflect the different elements of the club. This assists with managing expenditure against objectives and enables us to monitor expenditure more effectively. These are:
- The Cross Bar
- Facility
- Football
- Utilities
- Staffing
- Auditing.
**Details of any funds materially in deficit**
N/A
## **Further financial review details (Optional information)**
You **may choose** to include additional information, where relevant about:
- the charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising);
- how expenditure has supported the key objectives of the charity;
The principal funding sources are:
**Source** Membership Fees The Cross Bar Sponsorship Facility Rental Grants
- investment policy and objectives including any ethical investment policy adopted.
## **Section F Other optional information**
With the successful recruitment of a new Chairman in January 2025, the Club has revisited the formal structure and governance of the Executive/Management Committee. This has resulted in more effective administration and formal management of the Committee. It has also included the introduction of a number of new committee roles.
These include:
- Community Officer
- Commercial Manager
- Events Co-ordinator
- Communications/Social Media Lead
In addition to this, each area of responsibility has improved management and organisational arrangements for the future. Including a “Plan on a Page”for each area.
**TAR**
September 2023
10
With this in mind, the objectives reported in the 2023/2024 TAR, are now being updated.
The plan is to have a refreshed Co-Produced Strategy which will include the following phases:
- Planning
- Listening
- Review
- Action Planning
- Delivery
We will be looking to launch the refreshed Strategy during Qtr 2 of 2026.
## **Section G Declaration**
**The trustees declare that they have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**Signed on behalf of the charity’s trustees**
||**Declaration**
**have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**y’s trustees**|**Declaration**
**have approved the trustees’ report above.**
**y’s trustees**|
|---|---|---|
|**Signature(s)**
**Full name(s)**
**Position (eg Secretary, Chair,**
**etc) **
**Date**|||
||||
||Simon Tillott|Ian Dolman|
||||
||
Chairman (Trustee)|Treasurer (Trustee)|
||||
||**6 October 2025**||
**TAR**
September 2023
11
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
**Registered number: CE027816 Charity number: 1197338**
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **INDEPENDENTLY EXAMINED**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT AND FINANCIAL STATEMENTS**
**FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **CONTENTS**
||Page|
|---|---|
|**Reference and administrative details of the Charity, its Trustees and advisers**|1|
|**Trustees' report**|2 - 14|
|**Independent examiner's report**|15 - 16|
|**Statement of financial activities**|17|
|**Balance sheet**|18 - 19|
|**Notes to the financial statements**|20 - 33|
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**REFERENCE AND ADMINISTRATIVE DETAILS OF THE CHARITY, ITS TRUSTEES AND ADVISERS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
**Trustees** S Tillott, Chair (appointed 16 October 2024) I Dolman, Treasurer (resigned 27 February 2026) C Hall, Trustee R Burns, Trustee G Price Jones, Trustee (appointed 16 October 2024) J Byron, Trustee (appointed 16 October 2024) **Company registered number** CE027816 **Charity registered number** 1197338 **Registered office** Hind Heath Road Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3LZ **Accountants** WR Partners Chartered Accountants 3 Royal Court Gadbrook Way Gadbrook Park Northwich Cheshire CW9 7UT
Page 1
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
The Trustees present their annual report together with the financial statements of the Charity for the 1 July 2024 to 30 June 2025. The Annual report serves the purposes of both a Trustees' report and a directors' report under company law. The Trustees confirm that the Annual report and financial statements of the charitable company comply with the current statutory requirements, the requirements of the charitable company's governing document and the provisions of the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102) (effective 1 January 2019).
Since the Charity qualifies as small under section 382 of the Companies Act 2006, the Strategic report required of medium and large companies under the Companies Act 2006 (Strategic Report and Directors' Report) Regulations 2013 has been omitted.
## **Objectives and activities**
## **a. Policies and objectives**
We aim to support the local community by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in football. Through our sports venue and activities in Sandbach and nearby areas, we promote physical health, mental wellbeing, and social connection. Everyone is welcome, no matter their age, gender, race, religion, ability, or background.
In setting objectives and planning for activities, the Trustees have given due consideration to general guidance published by the Charity Commission relating to public benefit, including the guidance 'Public benefit: running a charity (PB2)'.
## **b. Strategies for achieving objectives**
As already outlined, at Sandbach United we aim to support the local community by encouraging people of all ages and backgrounds to take part in football. We achieve this through our key aims.
## **Create a Safe, Fun Environment**
We want everyone at the club to enjoy themselves in a safe, respectful, and positive space.
## **Support All Players and Teams**
We aim to keep all current teams going strong, welcome new male and female players, and offer opportunities where they are needed.
## **Help Players Reach Their Potential**
We provide the right environment and pathways for every player to grow, learn key skills, and play at the right level.
## **Develop and Support Coaches**
We are committed to building a strong coaching team, offering support and development to keep them motivated and improving.
## **Value Our Volunteers**
We make sure the right people are in place to run the club, share responsibilities fairly, and support all our volunteers.
## **Provide Great Facilities**
We aim to offer top-quality facilities for our players and open them up to the wider community when possible, keeping them well-maintained and up to league standards.
Page 2
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
## **c. Activities undertaken to achieve objectives**
Sandbach United FC is one of the largest Grassroots football clubs in the North West. There are 66 teams spread across our boys, girls, disability and adult sections.
- Male Teams – 43 separate teams containing 762 players
- Female Teams – 19 separate teams containing 249 players
- Disability Teams – 4 teams containing 50 players
- Total Players 1,061
- Total Junior Players 937
- Total adult players 124
## **Sandbach United Football Festival**
Our annual Football Festival returned in 2025, a series of tournaments from Under 8's to Under 17's. Our FA affiliated tournaments have a growing reputation with teams travelling from Carlisle, Newcastle Upon Tyne and Blackpool to take part. This is in no small part to the excellent organisation by the team, the quality of the football and of course our fantastic facility. The impact and engagement of boys and girls playing football was as big as ever: -
- Almost 15,000 visitors to the club over the 4 weekends we hosted tournaments.
- 3,500 players between the ages of 8 & 17
- 608 games played with over 35 hours of football!
The feedback has been fantastic with teams already looking forward to our 2026 Festival.
## **d. Investment policies**
We have a Club Strategy document which details our plans for investment in the future. The key areas of investment are an additional 3G, improvements to the car park and improved LED lighting.
In terms of the contribution made by volunteers to the club, an estimated total number of hours per year can be calculated as follows:
Number of volunteers = 200 (this is a conservative estimate) 200 x 10 hours per week (average) = 2,000 x 45 weeks = 90,000 hours per annum.
ONS data suggests the value of 1 hour volunteering is the equivalent of a paid role of £14.43 per hour. This equates to a total of £1,298,700 in social value to the local economy.
## **e. Volunteers**
SUFC have approximately six full time equivalent paid staff and is run in the main by part time staff and volunteers who willingly give up their time to help to run the community facility. We have a range of opportunities and positions such as: Match day stewards; team managers; coaches; parent helpers; admin workers; Executive Committee members/Trustees and Over 65 Group volunteers. We also offer a range of opportunities for young people to complete work experience.
Page 3
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
## **f. View From The Dugout**
## Mens 1st team – Manager, Declan Swan
The 2024–25 season was one of mixed emotions. Following the disappointment of missing out on promotion and losing key players, we had to rebuild the squad, which led to a slow start and a season spent chasing the top teams. Winsford claimed the league title, with Stafford finishing second.
We came close to securing second place ourselves, but a dramatic final game saw five injuries and all substitutions used by halftime, forcing outfield player Ryan Goodwin into goal. The match ended in a draw, and both teams met again in the playoff semi-final at Stafford Town. Despite a depleted squad, we led twice before a red card shifted momentum, and we were narrowly defeated.
Cup competitions brought highlights, including a strong FA Vase run and a memorable home fixture against Chester in the Cheshire Cup.
Looking ahead, we focused on squad stability and targeted key areas for improvement. Despite ongoing injuries, we’re enjoying our best start to a NWCFL season since joining in 2016–17.
None of this would be possible without our incredible volunteers and staff — their dedication continues to drive the club forward.
## Women’s team – Manager, Claire Foote
Last season, our goal was promotion — a target we believed achievable given the talent within the squad. Despite a strong start, injuries in the latter stages impacted results, and we finished 5th. Fortunately, our early form positioned us for a promotion opportunity that became available, and we were successfully promoted to the Premier Division.
Recruitment was challenging, but we’ve retained the entire squad heading into this season. A standout highlight was Kirsty Fisher Sherratt finishing as the league’s second-highest scorer, netting an incredible 30 goals in just 14 appearances.
Our ambition for the new season is a top-three finish and a deep run in the League Cup. Pre-season recruitment has been excellent, and we continue to develop our player pathway to bring talent through to the first team. A heartfelt thank you to everyone working behind the scenes — your support over the past three years has been invaluable, and I hope to repay it with silverware this season.
## Boys section – Head of Football, Oliver Byron
The 2024–25 season marked another year of success across the boys’ section, with multiple league, cup, and tournament victories. From welcoming our new Under-7s to celebrating our Under-18s transitioning into adult football, the club has seen achievements at every level.
A standout story came from Tom Watkin’s Under-15s United, who dominated their league campaign and maintained a perfect record until the final match — narrowly losing due to what Tom described as “a bit of complacency.”
On the player development front, Mason Wilson and Bradley Forrester exemplify the club’s pathway in action. Both began their journeys with our Under-7s and progressed through the ranks. Mason earned First Team appearances after impressing with the Under-16s and Reserve squads, while Bradley trained with the First Team and featured in all pre-season fixtures.
These players are shining examples of our long-term development strategy bearing fruit.
Off the pitch, we completed a full review of our Football Development Team, resulting in a major restructure. Bob Burns was appointed Assistant Head of Football, alongside three new Football Administration Officers and seven Football Development Officers — all focused on supporting our volunteer coaches and driving continued growth.
## Girls Section – Christina Sanderson, Football Development Officer
A major highlight this year was our successful Euros event, which raised £1,238 for the girls’ teams. More than just a fundraiser, it sparked enthusiasm for an annual celebration of female football — a testament to the
Page 4
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
growing passion and support within the club.
We’re also proud to report significant growth in the girls’ section, with two teams now competing in most age groups — a clear sign of rising interest and investment in female football.
On the pitch, Brent’s U10 team had an outstanding season, going undefeated in both league and cup competitions. They claimed the League Cup, Inter-locality Cup, and the Newcastle Town Summer Tournament. Notably, three players progressed to Elite Talent Centres and now compete in the U12 Champions League — a year above their age group.
Our volunteers continue to be the backbone of the club, and we’re especially proud of our young helpers. Holly Diamond’s nomination for Young Volunteer of the Year reflects the dedication and spirit that drives our community. Many U14 players also stepped up to support the section, especially during tournaments — inspiring the next generation of leaders and players.
In summary, this season has been defined by growth, achievement, and a shared commitment to developing female football and community engagement. We’re excited to build on this momentum in the seasons ahead.
Page 5
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
## **g. Disability Section**
Pan Disability & CP United Review
What a season it’s been — more players, more coaches, and more games!
## Pan Disability
Since launching two years ago with an U12 group, we've expanded to include U8, U12, U16, and now Open Age teams. This summer, our Open Age team made history with their first competitive match in the Ability Counts League, where Jonathan Withenshaw scored our first-ever goal — a proud moment for the club. Current squad sizes: U8 – 9 players U12 – 10 players U16 – 9 players Open Age – 13 players
Our teams train bi-weekly and compete monthly in the Ability Counts League, with U8s enjoying fun-focused sessions. Three players from our younger squads were mascots at the Disability FA Cup finals at St George’s Park, even meeting the Lionesses — an unforgettable experience.
We’re proud of our coaching team, including four girls from our U16s, two CP United players, and many dedicated volunteers. Special congratulations to Mick Hoole, recently selected for a Cheshire FA award.
## CP United FC
Our CP sessions continue strong, now in their fifth year, with weekly training and a growing coaching team that includes players from both Pan Disability and CP squads.
## Community Engagement
Players from both sections also took part as mascots in the Connor Ruscoe Charity Match, and we continue to run term-time and holiday sessions for Cheshire Buddies Charity — a partnership that brings joy and opportunity to many.
We’re incredibly proud of the inclusive environment we’ve built and grateful to all players, coaches, parents, and supporters who help us change lives through football.
## **h. Over 65's coffee morning**
We run monthly free coffee and cake mornings. Drinks are provided by the club and cakes are provided by volunteers from the group and certain teams. Numbers are still growing, and we can sometimes host up to 30 people, which is great. They are quite a lively bunch, and volunteers report that they enjoy hearing their stories. They also like to give back, so each month they choose a charity to which they can donate.
Page 6
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Objectives and activities (continued)**
## **i. Community Engagement**
We hold an annual foodbank collection which is split between Sandbach and Middlewich Foodbank and we get a great response each year from everyone at the club.
We also ran a raffle within the girls section for a chance to win some great memorabilia and boots which raised £435 which was donated to "Stick and Step" which is a charity that provides additional physio to children with Cerebral Palsy.
We work with CRMF charity to help raise funds for poorly children by hosting quiz nights and football match when it can be fitted in.
• Opportunity to complete the Duke of Edinburgh Award We provide a range of voluntary and physical activity opportunities for young people to complete this award. In 2024/2025 we supported 2 of our members to achieve the Bronze award.
## **Achievements and performance**
Page 7
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
## **a. Main achievements of the Charity**
2024/2025 has yet again been an incredibly successful year for the club with a range of awards, trophies, cups etc. being won together with a whole host of other achievements gained throughout the year. Across our male teams 9 trophies were lifted last season: -
League Title Winners
- Under 12 Eagles
- Under 13 Eagles
- Under 15 United
- Under 16 United
- Under 18 United
League Cup Winners
- Under 13 United
- Under 15 United
- Under 16 United
District Cup Winners
- Men’s Reserve Team
NWCFL League Play Off Finals
- SUFC 1st team - Achieved playoff finals for the 3rd year in succession.
- In our girls and women’s section there were also some fantastic achievements
- U10 Mid-Cheshire cup winners
- U10 Inter-Locality cup winners
- U11 Newcastle Town tournament winners
- U11 Eagles Bollington tournament winners
- U12 Tytherington football festival winners
Page 8
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
## **b. Key performance indicators**
The Annual SUFC Football Festival was a huge success with over 350 teams involved over 6 days (3 weekends). Examples of feedback from the event include: “Thanks so much for such a great experience at our first ever tournament, can’t wait until next year” – Alderley Wizards U7. “Really well organised event and everyone had a great time, thanks to all involved” – Curzon Ashton FC. Our tournament was so successful this year that we are already receiving enquiries about our 2025 summer festival!
The Club has recruited 31 new managers and coaches over the course of 2023/2024 with 90% of them having completed all the mandatory training (which includes Children’s Safeguarding and Emergency Aid) and having a DBS certificate.
Several of our players have progressed from the Club into professional academies across the country. One player who has played for us from the age of 11 to 16 has signed for Stoke City and is training with 1st Team. e.g. Stoke City FC, Crewe FC, Manchester City FC and Port Vale FC.
Five of our players have progressed from starting at Under 7’s right through to now playing for the Reserves and the Men’s First Team.
## 20 Year Anniversary Match
Having formed in 2004 this year marked the club's 20-year anniversary. In way of recognition, we arranged a one-off match between a Manchester United XI consisting of ex professional players and a Sandbach United XI with players from our original 2004 team and invited guests.
The event was a huge success with just under 2,500 people attending making it the clubs highest ever attended event by some distance. The event was also attended by several new sponsors and the Mayor of Sandbach.
Page 9
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
## **c. Review of activities**
Non-Football related achievements 2024/2025
The Cross Bar is integral to the success of the Club offering an opportunity to socialise, relax and make new friends. During 2024/2025 there have been some developments at the Cross Bar with:
- Fully decorated bar area
- New music equipment purchased
- New menu launched including a healthy options section.
- A complete re-design of The Cross Bar’s website.
- Increased use of the Bar area with use from:
- Team Presentation Evenings
- Charity evenings
- Bingo/quizzes etc
- Private functions
- Networking events/business brunch
- Over 65’s coffee mornings
- McMillan coffee mornings
- Open mic evenings
- DJ’s and singers
- FA Training Courses
As a result of the improvements, the Cross Bar has seen an annual turnover increase of 12% from 2023 to 2024 for the same period each year.
In addition to this, from a facility point of view the Club has:
- Improved the storage within our donated container with additional racking and storage boxes.
- Completed additional storage in the front reception area for managers and coaches to store equipment.
- Painted the permitter fencing around pitch 2.
- Installed a new fence around pitch 3 making this one of the best grassroots pitches in the county.
- Installed a new pitch map board to ensure that players and spectators can get around the site with ease.
- Hosted 5 x Cup finals for Crewe and District AJ Cooke Trophy and MCYL Cup Final U 11/12/13’s.
Page 10
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Achievements and performance (continued)**
## **d. Fundraising activities and income generation**
The club regularly holds fund raising activities such as: Golden Goal, Pot of Gold Tournament, World Cup/Euro sweepstakes, Football cards etc. Teams are also actively encouraged to take part in these to raise funds for their own Age Group Funds.
The club also raises funds through sponsorship deals. The Club has a three-year sponsorship deal in place and the Men’s First Team also raise funds through advertisement boards around the main pitch. Other teams are actively encouraged to arrange sponsorship deals with local businesses, again, to raise money for their individual Age Group Funds with a total of over 40 separate sponsorship deals across the Club.
In addition to this the Club has facilitated several other appeals for the local community and people in need:
- Foodbank collections
- Charity matches and quiz night for the Connor Ruscoe Memorial Fund
## **Financial review**
## **a. Going concern**
After making appropriate enquiries, the Trustees have a reasonable expectation that the Charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. For this reason, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the financial statements. Further details regarding the adoption of the going concern basis can be found in the accounting policies.
## **b. Reserves policy**
Sink Fund (cash reserves that are built up over a 120 year period to cover the cost of re-surfacing the 3G pitch) was at £0 due to a £232k investment in a new surface in May 2025.
Memberships are for non-profit
Bar profit aims to create deposits for the Sink Fund. The target is a minimum of £25k per year.
## **Structure, governance and management**
## **a. Constitution**
Sandbach United Football Club CIO is registered as a charitable incorporated organisation with the Charity Commission and was set up by a Trust deed.
Page 11
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Structure, governance and management (continued)**
## **b. Methods of appointment or election of Trustees**
The board may consist of up to twelve trustees. Trustees are appointed in accordance with the charity’s governing document and meet regularly throughout the year to review performance, approve key decisions, and ensure alignment with the charity’s mission and values. The board also oversees risk management, financial oversight, and the effectiveness of internal controls.
## **c. Organisational structure and decision-making policies**
The Executive Committee comprises of the Chairman, the Secretary, the Treasurer, the Club Welfare Officer, the Head of Football, the Business Manager, the Disability & Inclusion Officer and the Club Operational Manager.
## **d. Financial risk management**
The trustees are responsible for identifying and managing the risks faced by the charity. A risk management framework is in place to ensure that strategic, operational, financial, and reputational risks are regularly reviewed at Executive Committee Meetings on a monthly basis and appropriately mitigated.
Key risks are assessed in terms of their potential impact and likelihood, and appropriate controls are implemented to reduce exposure. This includes maintaining robust financial procedures, safeguarding policies, data protection compliance, and contingency planning for service delivery.
The board reviews the risk register at regular intervals and ensures that risk management is embedded in decision-making processes across the organisation. Where necessary, external advice is sought to strengthen internal controls and ensure compliance with legal and regulatory requirements.
## Risks and Mitigations
The major risks currently are the lack of training facilities and parking space for the number of members wishing to join the club.
We are currently working with the Football Foundation, Sports England and the Local Authority to explore additional funding to develop the site. Systems are in place to manage the increased demand for training facilities with other off-site facilities being explored.
Car parking is being managed through use of an additional overflow car park and ongoing maintenance of the existing car park to mitigate any health and safety risks associated with the current site.
Page 12
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Plans for future periods**
Following the successful appointment of a new Chairman in January 2025, the Club has undertaken a review of its Executive/Management Committee structure. This has led to more effective governance, improved administration, and the introduction of several new roles to strengthen operations:
- Community Officer
- Commercial Manager
- Events Co-Ordinator
- Communications/Social Media Lead
Each area now benefits from clearer management and planning processes, including the adoption of a “Plan on a Page” approach to guide future activity.
Building on this progress, the objectives outlined in the 2023/24 Trustees’ Annual Report are being updated. A refreshed, co-produced strategy is in development, structured around five key phases:
- Planning
- Listening
- Review
- Action Planning
- • Delivery
The new strategy is scheduled for launch in Q2 of 2026, marking a significant step forward in the Club’s longterm vision and community impact.
## **Statement of Trustees' responsibilities**
The Trustees (who are also the directors of the Charity for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice).
Company law requires the Trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial . Under company law, the Trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the Charity and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for that period. In preparing these financial statements, the Trustees are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles of the Charities SORP (FRS 102);
- make judgments and accounting estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- state whether applicable UK Accounting Standards (FRS 102) have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;
- prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the Charity will continue in business.
The Trustees are responsible for keeping adequate accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain the Charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity and enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.
Approved by order of the members of the board of Trustees on _________________________________________________ and signed on their behalf by:
30/03/2026
Page 13
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**TRUSTEES' REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
**J Byron** (Trustee)
Page 14
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **Independent examiner's report to the Trustees of Sandbach United Football Club CIO ('the Charity')**
I report to the charity Trustees on my examination of the accounts of the Charity for the year ended 30 June 2025.
## **Responsibilities and basis of report**
As the Trustees of the Charity (and its directors for the purposes of company law) you are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 ('the 2006 Act').
Having satisfied myself that the accounts of the Charity are not required to be audited under Part 16 of the 2006 Act and are eligible for independent examination, I report in respect of my examination of the Charity's accounts carried out under section 145 of the Charities Act 2011 ('the 2011 Act'). In carrying out my examination I have followed the Directions given by the Charity Commission under section 145(5)(b) of the 2011 Act.
## **Independent examiner's statement**
Since the Charity's gross income exceeded £250,000 your examiner must be a member of a body listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination because I am a member of the Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters, other than those fully detailed below, have come to my attention in connection with the examination giving me reasonable cause to believe that in any material respect:
1. accounting records were not kept in respect of the Charity as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
2. the accounts do not accord with those records; or
3. the accounts do not comply with the accounting requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair' view which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
4. the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities [applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102)].
I confirm that there are no other matters to which your attention should be drawn to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
This report is made solely to the Charity's Trustees, as a body, in accordance with Part 4 of the Charities (Accounts and Reports) Regulations 2008. My work has been undertaken so that I might state to the Charity's Trustees those matters I am required to state to them in an Independent examiner's report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, I do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Charity and the Charity's Trustees as a body, for my work or for this report.
Page 15
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**INDEPENDENT EXAMINER'S REPORT (CONTINUED) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
Signed:
Fran Johnson
Dated:
BSc BFP FCA
WR Partners 3 Royal Court Gadbrook Way Gadbrook Park Northwich Cheshire CW9 7UT
Page 16
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES (INCORPORATING INCOME AND EXPENDITURE ACCOUNT) FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
|**Note**
**Income from:**
Donations and legacies
3
Charitable activities
4
Other trading activities
5
Investments
6
Other income
7
**Total income**
**Expenditure on:**
Charitable activities
8
**Total expenditure**
**Net movement in funds**
**Reconciliation of funds:**
Total funds brought forward
Net movement in funds
**Total funds carried forward**|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**10,810**
**238,950**
**403,654**
**1,092**
**69,264**
**723,770**
**714,136**
**714,136**
**9,634**
**209,327**
**9,634**
**218,961**|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**10,810**
**238,950**
**403,654**
**1,092**
**69,264**
**723,770**
**714,136**
**714,136**
**9,634**
**209,327**
**9,634**
**218,961**|Total
funds
2024
£
207,123
218,066
407,543
1,159
46,131|
|---|---|---|---|
||||880,022|
||||670,695|
||||670,695|
||||209,327|
||||-
209,327|
||||209,327|
The Statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.
The notes on pages 20 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
Page 17
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO REGISTERED NUMBER: CE027816**
## **BALANCE SHEET AS AT 30 JUNE 2025**
|**Note**
**Fixed assets**
Tangible assets
13
**Current assets**
Stocks
14
Debtors
15
Cash at bank and in hand
**Current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due within one
year
16
**Net current assets**
**Total assets less current liabilities**
Creditors: amounts falling due after more
than one year
17
**Total net assets**
**Charity funds**
Restricted funds
18
Unrestricted funds
18
**Total funds**|**7,661**
**21,602**
**155,419**
**184,682**
**(41,630)**|**2025**
**£**
**75,909**
**75,909**
**143,052**
**218,961**
**-**
**218,961**
**-**
**218,961**
**218,961**|10,173
23,664
177,937
211,774
(41,454)|2024
£
40,551
40,551
170,320
210,871
(1,544)
209,327
-
209,327
209,327|
|---|---|---|---|---|
The Charity was entitled to exemption from audit under section 477 of the Companies Act 2006.
The members have not required the company to obtain an audit for the year in question in accordance with section 476 of Companies Act 2006.
The Trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for complying with the requirements of the Act with respect to accounting records and preparation of financial statements.
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to entities subject to the small companies regime.
The financial statements were approved and authorised for issue by the Trustees on _________________________________________________ and signed on their behalf by: 30/03/2026
Page 18
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
# **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO REGISTERED NUMBER: CE027816**
# **BALANCE SHEET (CONTINUED) AS AT 30 JUNE 2025**
**S Tillott**
(Chair of Trustees)
The notes on pages 20 to 33 form part of these financial statements.
Page 19
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **1. General information**
Sandbach United Football Club CIO is a Charitable Incorporated Organisation registered with the Charity Commission under charity registered number CE027816. Its registered office is Hind Heath Road, Sandbach, Cheshire, CW11 3LZ.
## **2. Accounting policies**
## **2.1 Basis of preparation of financial statements**
The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the Charities SORP (FRS 102) - 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), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) and the Companies Act 2006.
Sandbach United Football Club CIO 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.
## **2.2 Income**
All income is recognised once the Charity has entitlement to the income, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount of income receivable can be measured reliably.
Income tax recoverable in relation to investment income is recognised at the time the investment income is receivable.
Other income is recognised in the period in which it is receivable and to the extent the goods have been provided or on completion of the service.
## **2.3 Expenditure**
Expenditure is recognised once there is a legal or constructive obligation to transfer economic benefit to a third party, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is classified by activity. The costs of each activity are made up of the total of direct costs and shared costs, including support costs involved in undertaking each activity. Direct costs attributable to a single activity are allocated directly to that activity. Shared costs which contribute to more than one activity and support costs which are not attributable to a single activity are apportioned between those activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges allocated on the portion of the asset’s use.
Expenditure on charitable activities is incurred on directly undertaking the activities which further the Charity's objectives, as well as any associated support costs.
All expenditure is inclusive of irrecoverable VAT.
## **2.4 Interest receivable**
Interest on funds held on deposit is included when receivable and the amount can be measured reliably by the Charity; this is normally upon notification of the interest paid or payable by the institution with whom the funds are deposited.
Page 20
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
**NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.5 Tangible fixed assets and depreciation**
Tangible fixed assets are initially recognised at cost. After recognition, under the cost model, tangible fixed assets are measured at cost less accumulated depreciation and any accumulated impairment losses. All costs incurred to bring a tangible fixed asset into its intended working condition should be included in the measurement of cost.
Depreciation is charged so as to allocate the cost of tangible fixed assets less their residual value over their estimated useful lives, .
Depreciation is provided on the following basis:
Kit and equipment - 33% on cost
## **2.6 Stocks**
Stocks are valued at the lower of cost and net realisable value after making due allowance for obsolete and slow-moving stocks. Cost includes all direct costs and an appropriate proportion of fixed and variable overheads.
## **2.7 Debtors**
Trade and other debtors are recognised at the settlement amount after any trade discount offered. Prepayments are valued at the amount prepaid net of any trade discounts due.
## **2.8 Cash at bank and in hand**
Cash at bank and in hand includes cash and short-term highly liquid investments with a short maturity of three months or less from the date of acquisition or opening of the deposit or similar account.
## **2.9 Liabilities and provisions**
Liabilities are recognised when there is an obligation at the Balance sheet date as a result of a past event, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefit will be required in settlement, and the amount of the settlement can be estimated reliably.
Liabilities are recognised at the amount that the Charity anticipates it will pay to settle the debt or the amount it has received as advanced payments for the goods or services it must provide.
Provisions are measured at the best estimate of the amounts required to settle the obligation. Where the effect of the time value of money is material, the provision is based on the present value of those amounts, discounted at the pre-tax discount rate that reflects the risks specific to the liability. The unwinding of the discount is recognised in the Statement of financial activities as a finance cost.
## **2.10 Pensions**
The Charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme and the pension charge represents the amounts payable by the Charity to the fund in respect of the year.
Page 21
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **2. Accounting policies (continued)**
## **2.11 Fund accounting**
General funds are unrestricted funds which are available for use at the discretion of the Trustees in furtherance of the general objectives of the Charity and which have not been designated for other purposes.
Investment income, gains and losses are allocated to the appropriate fund.
## **3. Income from donations and legacies**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Sponsorship
10,810
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Donations
39,182
Similar incoming resources
167,941
207,123|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**10,810**|
|---|---|
||Total
funds
2024
£
39,182
167,941|
||207,123|
## **4. Income from charitable activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Membership and subscriptions
216,274
Match, training and soccer school
22,676
238,950|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**216,274**
**22,676**|
|---|---|
||**238,950**|
Page 22
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **4. Income from charitable activities (continued)**
|Income from charitable activities - Charitable activities
Match, training and soccer school|Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
177,109
40,957
218,066|Total
funds
2024
£
177,109
40,957|
|---|---|---|
|||218,066|
## **5. Income from other trading activities**
**Income from non charitable trading activities**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Bar income
402,204
Merchandise sales
966
Other income
484
403,654
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Bar income
404,222
Merchandise sales
1,033
Other income
2,288
407,543|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**402,204**
**966**
**484**|
|---|---|
||**403,654**|
||Total
funds
2024
£
404,222
1,033
2,288|
||407,543|
Page 23
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **6. Investment income**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Interest receivable
1,092
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Interest receivable
1159|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**1,092**|
|---|---|
||Total
funds
2024
£
1159|
Unrestricted Total funds funds 2024 2024 £ £ 1,159 1,159
## **7. Other incoming resources**
|3G and pitch hire
3G and pitch hire|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
69,264
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
46,131|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**69,264**|
|---|---|---|
|||Total
funds
2024
£
46,131|
Page 24
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **8. Analysis of expenditure on charitable activities**
## **Summary by fund type**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Charitable activities
714,136
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Charitable activities
670,695|**Total**
**2025**
**£**
**714,136**|
|---|---|
||Total
2024
£
670,695|
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities**
|Charitable activities
Charitable activities|**Activities**
**undertaken**
**directly**
**2025**
**£**
398,157
Activities
undertaken
directly
2024
£
353,954|**Support**
**costs**
**2025**
**£**
315,979
Support costs
2024
£
316,742|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**714,136**|
|---|---|---|---|
||||Total
funds
2024
£
670,696|
Page 25
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs**
|Staff costs
Sundry expenses
First team and fundraising
Rates and water
Cleaning
Light and heat
Insurance
Repairs and renewals
Travel and subsistence
Professional fees
Subscriptions
Postage and stationary
Telephone
Bank charges
Depreciation expense|**Charitable**
**activities**
**2025**
**£**
225,813
10,919
(25,662)
2,983
12,754
36,431
7,334
2,848
851
6,979
2,280
3,443
1,777
5,686
21,543
315,979|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**225,813**
**10,919**
**(25,662)**
**2,983**
**12,754**
**36,431**
**7,334**
**2,848**
**851**
**6,979**
**2,280**
**3,443**
**1,777**
**5,686**
**21,543**
**315,979**|
|---|---|---|
Page 26
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **9. Analysis of expenditure by activities (continued)**
## **Analysis of support costs (continued)**
|Staff costs
Sundry expenses
First team and fundraising
Rates and water
Cleaning
Light and heat
Insurance
Repairs and renewals
Travel and subsistence
Accountancy
Subscriptions
Postage and stationary
Telephone
Bank charges
Audit fees
Depreciation expense|Charitable
activities
2024
£
190,354
43,717
(19,881)
2,060
11,122
34,032
3,508
5,076
1,872
2,641
1,669
3,061
1,750
8,360
9,915
17,486
316,742|Total
funds
2024
£
190,354
43,717
(19,881)
2,060
11,122
34,032
3,508
5,076
1,872
2,641
1,669
3,061
1,750
8,360
9,915
17,486|
|---|---|---|
|||316,742|
## **10. Independent examiner's remuneration**
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner for the independent|||
|examination of the Charity's annual accounts|**2,310**|2,200|
|Fees payable to the Charity's independent examiner in respect of:|||
|All other services not included above|**3,690**|3,545|
Page 27
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **11. Staff costs**
|Wages and salaries
Social security costs
Contribution to defined contribution pension schemes|**2025**
**£**
**208,489**
**14,851**
**2,473**
**225,813**|2024
£
168,840
9,558
11,956|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||190,354|
The average number of persons employed by the Charity during the year was as follows:
||**2025**|2024||
|---|---|---|---|
||**No.**|No.||
|Club and bar|**10**||12|
No employee received remuneration amounting to more than £60,000 in either year.
## **12. Trustees' remuneration and expenses**
During the year, one or more Trustees has been paid remuneration or has received other benefits from an employment with the Charity. [Add details of why the remuneration or other benefits were paid and under which legal authority these took place]. The value of Trustees' remuneration and other benefits was as follows:
|||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|---|
|||**£**|£|
|I Dolman|Treasurer fees|**5,757**|2,000|
|C Hall|Consultancy fees|**-**|12,000|
During the year ended 30 June 2025, no Trustee expenses have been incurred (2024 - £NIL).
## **13. Tangible fixed assets**
|**Cost or valuation**
At 1 July 2024
Additions
At 30 June 2025|**Kit and**
**equipment**
**£**
**58,037**
**56,901**|
|---|---|
||**114,938**|
Page 28
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **13. Tangible fixed assets (continued)**
|**Depreciation**
At 1 July 2024
Charge for the year
At 30 June 2025
**Net book value**
At 30 June 2025
At 30 June 2024
**14.**
**Stocks**
Finished goods and goods for resale
**15.**
**Debtors**
**Due within one year**
Trade debtors
Other debtors
**16.**
**Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year**
Trade creditors
Other taxation and social security
Obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts
Other creditors|**2025**
**£**
**7,661**
**2025**
**£**
**13,964**
**7,638**
**21,602**
**2025**
**£**
**1,644**
**4,320**
**2,606**
**514**|**Kit and**
**equipment**
**£**
**17,486**
**21,543**|
|---|---|---|
|||**39,029**|
|||**75,909**|
|||40,551|
|||2024
£
10,173
2024
£
21,732
1,932
23,664
2024
£
3,431
14,105
2,225
-|
Page 29
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **16. Creditors: Amounts falling due within one year (continued)**
|Accruals and deferred income|**2025**
**£**
**32,546**
**41,630**|2024
£
21,693|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||41,454|
## **17. Creditors: Amounts falling due after more than one year**
||**2025**|2024|
|---|---|---|
||**£**|£|
|Net obligations under finance lease and hire purchase contracts|**-**|1,544|
Page 30
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **18. Statement of funds**
**Statement of funds - current year**
|||||**Balance at**|
|---|---|---|---|---|
||**Balance at 1**|||**30 June**|
||**July 2024**|**Income**|**Expenditure**|**2025**|
||**£**|**£**|**£**|**£**|
|**Unrestricted funds**|||||
|Reserves|**209,327**|**723,770**|**(714,136)**|**218,961**|
Page 31
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **18. Statement of funds (continued)**
**Statement of funds - prior year**
Balance at Income Expenditure 30 June 2024 £ £ £ **Unrestricted funds** Reserves 880,022 (670,695) 209,327
## **19. Analysis of net assets between funds Analysis of net assets between funds - current year**
|**Unrestricted**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
Tangible fixed assets
75,909
Current assets
184,682
Creditors due within one year
(41,630)
**Total**
218,961
**Analysis of net assets between funds - prior year**
Unrestricted
funds
2024
£
Tangible fixed assets
40,551
Current assets
211,775
Creditors due within one year
(41,454)
Creditors due in more than one year
(1,544)
**Total**
209,328|**Total**
**funds**
**2025**
**£**
**75,909**
**184,682**
**(41,630)**
**218,961**
Total
funds
2024
£
40,551
211,775
(41,454)
(1,544)
209,328|
|---|---|
Page 32
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216773
## **SANDBACH UNITED FOOTBALL CLUB CIO**
## **NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS FOR THE YEAR ENDED 30 JUNE 2025**
## **20. Related party transactions**
|Treasurer costs
Trustee - Consultancy services|**2025**
**£**
**5,757**
**-**
**5,757**|2024
£
2,000
12,000|
|---|---|---|
||||
|||14,000|
Page 33
## **Document Activity Report**
**Document Sent** Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:59:15 GMT **Document E-Sign Status** E-Signed **E-Sign Activity Summary** Janine Byron E-Signed Simon Tillott E-Signed
## **Document Activity History**
Document history shows most recent activity first
**Date Activity** Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:39:04 GMT Simon Tillott viewed the document Mon, 30 Mar 2026 15:19:03 GMT Simon Tillott viewed the document Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:17:42 GMT Janine Byron Approved the document Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:10:10 GMT Janine Byron viewed the document
You can verify that this is a genuine Portal document by uploading it to the following secure web page:
**http://wrllp.accountantspace.co.uk/messages/VerifyDocument**
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216775
The Trustees Sandbach United Football Club CIO Hind Heath Road Sandbach Cheshire CW11 3LZ
WR Partners Chartered Accountants Drake House Gadbrook Park Northwich Cheshire CW9 7RA
Dear Sirs
## **Sandbach United Football Club CIO Independent Examination for the Year Ended 30 June 2025**
The following representations are made on the basis of enquiries of management and staff with relevant knowledge and experience such as we consider necessary in connection with your independent examination of the CIO’s financial statements for the year ended 30 June 2025. These enquiries have included inspection of supporting documentation where appropriate. All representations are made to the best of our knowledge and belief.
## GENERAL
1. We have fulfilled our responsibilities as trustees, as set out in the terms of your engagement letter dated 25 July 2024 under the Companies Act 2006, for preparing financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (UK Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view and for making accurate representations to you.
2. All transactions undertaken by the CIO have been properly reflected in the accounting records and are reflected in the financial statements.
3. All accounting records and relevant information have been made available to you for the purpose of your independent examination. We have provided to you all other information requested and given unrestricted access to persons within the entity from whom you have deemed it necessary. All other records and related information, including minutes of all management and shareholders meetings, have been made available to you.
4. We confirm the financial statements are free of material misstatements, including omissions. We believe that those uncorrected misstatements identified during the independent examination are immaterial both individually and in aggregate to the financial statements as a whole.
## **INTERNAL CONTROL AND FRAUD**
5. We acknowledge our responsibility for the design, implementation and maintenance of controls to prevent and detect fraud. We have disclosed to you the results of our assessment of the risk that the financial statements may be materially misstated as a result of fraud.
6. We have disclosed to you all information in relation to fraud or suspected fraud that we are aware of and that affects the entity and involves, management, employees who have
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216775
significant roles in internal control, or others, where fraud could have a material effect on the financial statements.
7. We have disclosed to you all information in relation to allegations of fraud, or suspected fraud affecting the entity’s financial statements communicated by employees, former employees, analysts, regulators or others.
## **ASSETS AND LIABILITIES**
8. The CIO has satisfactory title to all assets and there are no liens or encumbrances on the CIO’s assets, except for those that are disclosed in the notes to the financial statements.
9. All actual liabilities, contingent liabilities and guarantees given to third parties have been recorded or disclosed as appropriate.
10. We have no plans or intentions that may materially alter the carrying value and, where relevant, the fair value measurements or classification of assets and liabilities reflected in the financial statements.
11. We have no plans to abandon product lines or other plans that will result in any excess or obsolete stock.
## **ACCOUNTING ESTIMATES**
12. The methods, significant assumptions and the data used by us in making accounting estimates, including those measured at fair value, and their related disclosures are appropriate to achieve recognition, measurement or disclosure that is reasonable in the context of the applicable financial reporting framework.
## **LOANS AND ARRANGEMENTS**
13. The CIO has at no time during the year entered into any arrangement, transaction or agreement to provide credit facilities (including loans, quasi loans or credit transactions) for trustees, nor to guarantee or provide security for such matters, except as disclosed in the financial statements.
## **LEGAL CLAIMS**
14. We have disclosed all known actual or possible litigation and claims whose effects should be considered when preparing the financial statements and these have been disclosed in accordance with the requirements of accounting standards.
## **LAWS AND REGULATIONS**
15. We confirm that we are not aware of any possible or actual instance of non-compliance with those laws and regulations which provide a legal framework within which the CIO conducts its business, and which could affect the financial statements. The CIO has complied with all aspects of contractual agreements that could have a material effect on the financial statements in the event of non-compliance.
Tracking ID: 1000302-1216775
## **RELATED PARTIES**
16. Related party relationships and transactions have been appropriately accounted for and disclosed in the financial statements. We have disclosed to you all relevant information concerning such relationships and transactions and are not aware of any other matters which require disclosure in order to comply with the requirements of charity law or accounting standards.
17. We confirm that we have disclosed to you the identity of the entity’s related parties and all related party relationships and transactions relevant to the CIO that we are aware of.
## **SUBSEQUENT EVENTS**
18. All events since the balance sheet date which require disclosure, or which would materially affect the amounts in the financial statements have been adjusted or disclosed in the financial statements.
## **GOING CONCERN**
19. We confirm that, having considered our expectations and intentions for the next twelve months, and the availability of working capital, the CIO is a going concern. We confirm that the disclosures in the accounting policies are an accurate reflection of the reasons for our consideration that the financial statements should be drawn up on a going concern basis. We confirm that we have disclosed to you details of our plans for future actions relating to our going concern assessment including the feasibility of these plans.
We acknowledge our legal responsibilities regarding disclosure of information to you as independent examiners and confirm that so far as we are aware, there is no relevant information needed by you in connection with preparing your independent examiner’s report of which you are unaware. Each trustee has taken all the steps that they ought to have taken as a trustee in order to make themselves aware of any relevant information and to establish that you are aware of that information.
Yours faithfully
.............................................................................................................................. S Tillott Chair Signed on behalf of the board of trustees
## 30/03/2026
Date: ……………………………
## **Document Activity Report**
**Document Sent** Mon, 30 Mar 2026 10:59:13 GMT **Document E-Sign Status** E-Signed **E-Sign Activity Summary** Simon Tillott E-Signed
## **Document Activity History**
Document history shows most recent activity first
**Date Activity** Mon, 30 Mar 2026 11:13:38 GMT Janine Byron viewed the document
You can verify that this is a genuine Portal document by uploading it to the following secure web page:
**http://wrllp.accountantspace.co.uk/messages/VerifyDocument**