2025-07-31-accounts

ONE TEAM – ONE DREAM – ONE GOAL

Ryton and Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club

Trustees’ Annual Report – Dec 2025

Ryton and Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club is a charitable incorporated organisation (CIO) and Accredited England Football Club (Stage 2 status), working closely with our local community to create the ideal environment to nurture players, coaches, and volunteers. The adoption of the RACA Youth FC constitution was agreed on 11[th] January 2022 and amended the 10[th] October 2022. The CIO became fully operational in August 2023. Further amendments to the constitution were agreed on the 4[th] September 2024 to clarify membership status and aid effective and timely decision making on operational matters.

This report will serve as the annual document provided to the Charity Commission and support the annual general meeting (AGM) of the members of the CIO. This AGM Report will be supplemented by the annual statement of accounts and business plan. These will be duly audited and examined. The report will assess progress of the CIO towards the following constitution aims:

To provide young people with football opportunities alongside Ryton and Crawcrook community partners for the advancement of social welfare and education for all. In support of the understanding of progress towards the CIO aims, the report will identify achievement against the identified CIO priority areas. These include:

Priority 1 - Governance/Compliance – to ensure the strategic guidance and lawful compliance towards the objectives of the RACA Youth FC and aligned to the CIO constitution

Priority 2 - Finance/Funding – to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Charities Act 2011 (Part 6) in respect of accounting records, accounts, annual reports, returns and grant funding arrangements

Priority 3 - Facilities/Equipment - to develop the provision of facilities and equipment for the playing of association football

Priority 4 - Participation/Teams - to promote community participation in healthy football recreation by young people aged 17 and under as defined be The Football Association age categories without distinction of sex, sexual orientation, age, disability, nationality, race or religion

Priority 5 – Community - to associate together with inhabitants of the area, the statutory authorities, voluntary and other organisations to promote football

Priority 6 - Safeguarding/Health and Safety - to ensure action is taken to promote the welfare of children and protect them from harm

- Priority 1 Governance/Compliance

• The Trustee Board has worked to offer strategic guidance as the legal instrument of governance of the CIO and appropriately applied the RACA Youth FC Constitution to the

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work undertaken. The current 6 strong Trustee Board has ensured lawful compliance by working to fully establish the CIO as a distinct organisation to the senior RACA FC. It is known that the CIO is responsible for the youth players, their safeguarding and provision.

• Both RACA FC and RACA Youth FC continue operating in ‘partnership’ with an effective working relationship in support of RACA Youth FC aims. The senior club provides a ‘home’ for the CIO at Kingsley Park with the 3G facility hired by the CIO throughout the year as the training base for junior teams. As the number of teams and participants grow, it will be necessary to source additional training facilities.

• The board is currently operating with 6 trustees with 3 vacant positions. The board meet on a quarterly frequency focusing on strategic direction and monitoring actions of the Operational Committee.

• The operational committee currently has 7 members supported by the chairman and vice chairman of the trustees, one of who must attend committee meetings. This group undertakes many of the day-to-day duties associated with running teams and CIO provision. The committee meet every 2 months. Working parties have also been established when the occasion has arisen.

• There remains a vacancy for an operational secretary, the role is currently undertaken by the chairman of trustees.

- Priority 2 Finance/Funding

• Financial reporting continues on a monthly basis. Signatories to the bank account are the chairman, secretary and treasurer. The account continues to be monitored by the treasurer, secretary and chair.

• A RACA Youth FC Business Plan has been revised with the assistance of the consultants who are supporting the process of accessing significant funding for development of future charity assets and those of the adult club. The consultants and the vice chairman are in active consultation with Gateshead MBC over asset transfers. The CIO has accessed significant partial funding for the development of changing facilities at Stargate. The money will only be released once Stargate has been transferred. However, a shortfall in funding for the project needs to be addressed.

• Financial monitoring and reporting by our treasurer continues to be effective with a high level of donations by beneficiaries of the charity’s activities underpinning the financial plan. As of the 2[nd] December 2025, the balance in the bank was £13,409.00, a decrease of £786.15 on the same time last year. This is mainly due to increased expenditure and does not present a concern. As yet, the charity has not applied for gift aid reimbursement which will be significant.

• Additional financial information is available from the published accounts. In accordance with our philosophy, we continue to make it known that no child shall be discouraged from participation due to parental or guardian inability to make donations.

• The level of funding continues to enable the CIO to affiliate teams, enter leagues and fund several key services such as the hire of 3G training facilities for the year and a grounds maintenance service for Clara Vale and Stargate.

• The CIO has obtained some smaller funding contributions from different sources such as local businesses to support the participation of teams and equipment.

• The CIO has accessed £25,000 in grant aid from the Community Fund for changing facilities at Stargate. Another £25,000 is required to progress the project. This is all on hold as there

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has been a problem with the council’s ability to grant the lease. They are currently in negotiations with CISWO who own the land.

Priority 3 - Facilites/Equipment

• The agreement negotiated with the senior club for scheduled training slots has increased from 15 per week for 52 weeks of the to 22. This is inclusive of 4 weekend slots. The charity has additional use of the 3G at weekends free of charge. The adult club has maintained the hourly charge at £35 which is £15 below their ‘market rate’. The annual CIO originally agreed to a contribution of £3,400 to the running of the clubhouse and facilities at Kingsley Park, however this was reduced to £1,200 for the year by the adult club. This figure remains our level of contribution.

• The CIO has obtained licences for two facilities (Clara, Stargate) and will maintain these as community asset transfers. A great deal of work has been undertaken in understanding the extent of the liability of the two grounds in consultation with the LA. Discussions continue.

• Clara Vale has a great deal of potential as a junior facility with proximity to Kingsley Park, a large playing area and a pavilion. The changing rooms have been refurbished by operation committee members with improvements also to the access road as well as the playing surfaces and goal posts. The facilities are also shared by a cricket team with the terms of this agreement reviewed by the CIO. Parking has been arranged within the village on matchdays.

• Stargate requires greater development in terms of the playing area and facilities. Some funding is now in place subject to the asset being transferred.

• The charity has been granted use of Emmaville School sports field for match day use by two teams. Goal posts have been purchased for the site. These are stored in the bowling green in the park.

• The charity has entered an agreement with the trustees of Crawcrook Park for the use of the old bowling green as a training venue for younger age groups. Use is subject to a grant application being successful for portable floodlights.

• Working in collaboration with the adult club, our joint consultants managed to get Kingsley Park on the list of sites for a full size 3G instal. The project cost was estimated at £1.3 million. Unfortunately, after a Football Foundation site survey was undertaken, the site was deemed unsuitable due to the previous coal mining and associated history.

Priority 4 - Partcipaton/Teams

• Participation has increased to 300. The previous season numbers ranged between 250 and 270 players. Numbers include the Soccer School for the youngest players and u6 cohort who do not play in leagues. Some participate on the basis of training only until such time as they enter the competitive playing environment.

• The CIO started the season with 26 teams participating in leagues which is an increase of 4 from the 22 operated last season. The aim is to have the CIO entered into leagues at all age groups from u7 through to u17. This season we have achieved that aim. Last season we were not represented at u11 and u17 level. These teams are the responsibility of over 60 accredited coaches.

• The CIO has published a ‘Welcome Pack’ document to be viewed by all stakeholders. This document indicates the expectation of parents coaches and players as well as important

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details about how the CIO functions. Parents have been asked to agree to expectations and sign off their agreement for use of images and medical treatment.

• The CIO continues to have a level 2 England Football Accredited status.

• CPD events for coaches are ongoing and facilitated by Dave Cleary and others from Durham FA. These continue to be well received.

• The CIO has agreed to adopt Adidas clothing as our standard kit. Unfortunately, this means moving away from Optimum Sports as our preferred kit supplier. The new supplier is Total Sport based in Sunderland. The shirts will no longer be bespoke but will continue to have yellow elements included to preserve our identity.

• The CIO continues to provide mascots for adult club match days. RACA adults love it and really appreciate the kids. Other Northern League clubs are attempting to follow the RACA way which is testament to the enjoyment it brings.

• As part of the principle of mutual support, the adult club allow free entry to adult games for all participating child and youth players. In addition, CIO coaches and family along with CIO trustees also have complimentary entry to matches.

• With participation growing, access to facilities remains under pressure.

• Trustees have agreed that 4 coaches per season will be grant aided to achieve their UEFA C coaching qualification.

– Priority 5 Community

• The CIO has agreed a contract with RACA FC for season long booking of 3G facility and a contribution towards clubhouse costs.

• The CIO continues to lobby local councillors to support CIO aims and facilities development within the west area. Our consultants are making the case for siting a full size 3G in the west of the Borough.

• The CIO has liaised with Durham FA and utilised a community officer to support coach development.

• The club has established a website for all club documentation with match reports the latest addition. Parents and carers have used the ‘contacts’ page to follow up queries with club officials.

- Priority 6 Safeguarding/Health and Safety

• The CIO has agreed and published key safeguarding related policies such as safeguarding, anti-bullying, equality and diversity and complaints procedures.

• Any safeguarding concerns have been followed up and addressed in line with club policy.

• All coaches are safeguarding accredited.

• The provision of the role of Welfare Officer is currently being undertaken by a director of the adult club. It is planned to bring that in house.

• Durham FA received a safeguarding complaint from a parent. The complaint was made after the parent had taken their child elsewhere. The complaint was vexatious and without merit. The resultant investigation established that there was no case to answer but did recommend some additional aspects to assist with our continued commitment to safeguarding.

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Summary

This has been another highly positive year for the CIO. It is apparent that the CIO has worked well towards achieving the overall aims of RACA Youth FC. Indeed, in all priority areas progress has been made with the key major success indicators as follows:

• Participation has increased from between 250 to 270 to 300. The number of teams playing in leagues has increased from 22 to 26 and we are now represented at all age groups from u7 to u17.

• Income and balances, demonstrates increased financial viability year on year. In part this is attributable to easy access to participation and consequent donations along with accessing sponsorship appropriate grant aid. Although the comparative figure is £786.15 down on the same time last year, this shows financial stability with gift aid yet to be claimed.

• Securing community facilities for sport through licences for use of Clara Vale and Stargate with a ground’s maintenance plan in place. The CIO is in discussion with Gateshead MBC to turn these licences into leases. Discussions are positive.

• Agreeing a season long 3G hire contract and allocated training times for each team.

• Effective Trustee Board and Operational Committee of 7 volunteers as well as 60 accredited coaches.

• Continuing as FA accredited (Stage 2 status).

The CIO is appreciative of the efforts of all the volunteers who have contributed to these achievements as well as the support received from parents, RACA (Adult) FC, sponsors and friends of the club. The CIO will review these achievements at our next meeting and consider the next steps for further development in the new year.

Kevin Wilkinson (Chair of RACA Youth FC) – 31/12/25

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Ryton & Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club Financial Statement 12 Months 01-08-2024 to 31-7-2025

Payments In, 12 months 01-08-2024 to 31-7-2025

Opening Balance	£950
(bank) 01/08/2024	3.78
Income
	£638
Player Donations	62.10
	£141
Sponsorship	93.23
	£380
Income for Holland Trip	0.00
RACA FC Adult	£330
Donation	0.00
	£261
Rafe Proceeds	7.00
	£410.
Sportsman’s Dinner	00
	£300.
Wildcats Donation	00
	£979
	86.1
Total	1
Outgoings
RACA FC, Facility	£26915.
Hire
	£18010.
Optimum
Ground Works	£9589.1

	£6600.0
Consultants
	£6479.0
League Fees
End of Season Trophy	£5043.7
Order
	£4398.7
Goals & Nets
	£3066.7
Ref Fees
	£2322.0
Coaches Training
Stargate Hall Hire	£567.29
Barmoor Hub Hire	£315.00
Greenside Club
Pitch Hire	£300.00
Newburn Facility
Hire	£280.00
Fantasy Football	£140.00
GMBC	£105.14
Repay Player
Donations
Service Charge
Misc.	£167.37
	£84487.
Balance @ 31/07/2025	£13498.52

Registered Charity 1200628 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club Kingsley Park Stannerford Road Crawcrook NE30 3SN

Greenside Club Pilch Hire Newburn Faclirty Hlre Fantasy Football GMBC Repay Player DOn￿OnS Service Gharge Misc. £300.00 £280.00 £140.00 £105.14 £95.00 £167.37 £84487.59 Balance 3110712025 £1349&52 IFCCA 16£f 2£F- 1311 126 RW & Cra*rrookAlblon Iyouthl Focthll aub n8sley Park stsnnethd Road NE30 3SII

ALBION IY) P.L 2022 Ryton & Crawcrook Albion (Youth) Football Club Financial Statement 12 Months 01418-2024 to 31-7-2025 Payments In, 12 months 01418-2024 to 31-7-2025 Openlng BaLince (bank) 0110812024 Income Player Donations Sponsorship Income for Holland Trip RACA FC Adult Donatlon Raffle Proceeds Sportsman's Dinner Wildcats Donatlon Total £63862.10 £14193.23 £3800.00 £33[￿. £2617.00 £410.00 £300.00 £9Tr86.11 Outgoings RACA FC. Facllty Hlre Optlmum Groun(t Works Consultsnts £26915.20 £18010.15 £9589.17 £6600.00 El League Fees En(f otSea50n Troptyorder Goals& Nets Ref Fees Coaches Training Stargate Hall Hire Barmoor Hub Hire £6479.00 £5043.75 £4398.79 £3066.70 £2322.03 £567.29 £315.00