Trustees’ Annual Report for the period From 1st April 2025 To 31[st] March 2026
Charity name: Horden Community Welfare Football Club
Charity registration number: 1202870
Objectives and Activities
Summary of the purposes of The promotion of community participation in healthy recreation the charity as set out in its by providing facilities for the playing of Association Football governing document and other sports and activities capable of improving physical fitness, health, and well-being for the benefit of children, young people, and adults within the community of Horden, County Durham, and its surrounding areas. Summary of the main In planning activities for the 2025/26 financial year we kept in activities in relation to those mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit at purposes for the public our trustee and committee meetings.
Summary of the main activities in relation to those purposes for the public benefit, in particular, the activities, projects or services identified in the accounts.
The main activities during 2025/26 include the roll-out and implementation of the charities 10-year Development Plan and the Junior Section Development plan:
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1) PRIORITY 3: To promote the community football club within Horden to engage children, young people, girls, boys, adults, ladies, and men to participate in physical sport and activities in particular football.
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a. Creation and development of a Junior Section Academy and its infrastructure
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b. Introduce Ladies Football within our community c. Introduce a development team (pathway from youth into adult)
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2) PRIORITY 4: To re-develop the existing community-based football club main stand and seating area (funding via Horden Parish Council and Horden Recreation Ground Trust, Charity Number 520826] and Football Foundation Grant Funding.
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a. Phase 1 – replacement of old covered seating stand and install a new roof (completed in March 2023).
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b. Phase 2 – installation of new modular covered seating area for 102 people including disabled bay; and covered standing area for 100 people in accordance with FA tier 5/6 ground requirements (completed May 2023).
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c. Phase 3 – installation of new covered standing area for minimum of 100 people (completed February 2026).
The junior section continues to grow and develop, and during 2025/26 we increased the number of teams from 8 to 13, and the membership increased to over 160 school aged children, with a further 10-15 children training on an ad-hoc basis.
| The number of volunteer coaches and volunteer sessional support workers within the Junior section increased to 35 during this period. All volunteer coaches are FA Level 1 qualified, with safeguarding and first aid accreditation (with enhanced DBS checks). By recruiting additional volunteer coaches and volunteer sessional support workers we have been able to keep pace with demand for our services from within our community. The sporting, football and recreational activities we offer and provide to school aged children, young people, and adults support them with their personal development e.g. developing self-confidence, social skills, self-disciple, resilience, work ethic; improving their physical fitness, physical health, mental health and general well-being through engagement and participation in our weekly football training and coaching sessions in a safe and secure environment. As a grassroots community based football club, junior section and charity, we endeavour to improve the performance of all participants including volunteer coaches and volunteer sessional support workers (personal development pathway). |
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| Statement confirming whether the trustees have had regard to the guidance issued by the Charity Commission on public benefit |
We kept in mind the Charity Commission’s guidance on public benefit: The community based football club, junior section and charity welcomes all people without distinction of age, sex, gender, sexual orientation, ethnicity, political, religion, infirmity or disablement, financial hardship, poverty, or social and economic circumstances or for the public at large in the interest of social welfare and with the object of improving their conditions of life. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Policy on grant making | Not applicable |
| Policy on social investment including program related investment |
Not applicable |
| Contribution made by volunteers |
The grassroots community based football club, junior section and charity are extremely grateful to all trustees, committee members, volunteer coaches, volunteer sessional support workers and match-day volunteers for giving up so much of their spare time to ensure the grassroots community-based football club, junior section and charity continues to grow, develop, enabling it to remain sustainable for the future. |
| Other | Not applicable |
Achievements and Performance
| Summary of the main achievements of the charity, identifying the difference the charity’s work has made to the circumstances of its |
The football club, junior section and its charity continue to grow and develop. Over the last year, the charity has seen an increase in the number of disadvantaged children, young people and adults |
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| beneficiaries and any wider benefits to society as a whole. |
participating in weekly football training, coaching and physical exercise activities and sessions. The charity obtained direct grant funding of £22,762 during the financial year from local, regional, and national organisations and charities to support the work we do within the community. Charity fundraising events include match-day raffles, football cards, monthly draws, Easter and Christmas raffles, social fund-raising events, presentation events and through the provision of food and refreshment hospitality on match-days etc. The charities income and expenditure reinforce its commitment in providing its community with improved facilities and resources; increasing community engagement through football training and coaching provision; and to support school aged children and young people to reach their potential. The charity firmly believes it provides school aged children and young people with a sense of community, something they want to belong to, to aspire, to achieve, to be part of a team, to take pride in what they do when they represent their local community. The charity provides all the junior section school aged children with a free season ticket to gain access to the men’s and women’s home fixtures throughout the football season. |
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| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Achievements against objectives set |
Within the Charities 10 Year Development Plan: Priority 3: To promote the community football club within Horden to engage children, young people, girls, boys, adults, ladies, and men to participate in physical sport and activities in particular football. a. Creation and development of a Junior Academy and its infrastructure – Junior Academy officially opened on 5 July 2022. b. Introduced Ladies football within our community in September 2022. A girl’s section was created in September 2024 within the Junior Academy set-up, creating a pathway for school aged girls to develop. c. The junior section membership increased from 111 in 2025 to over 160 school aged children (in 2026) with a further 15-20 mini-dribblers participating on an ad-hoc basis. d. The number of volunteer FA Level 1 coaches and volunteer sessional support workers increased to 35. e. The number of junior section teams increased from 8 to 13 teams by the end of March 2026. f. During this period we provided additional coaching sessions delivered by external UEFA C licence qualified coaches to support individual teams, and the school aged children (and providing mentoring to our volunteer coaches and volunteer sessional support workers) g. We are currently creating additional capacity within the junior section (mini-marra’s) in anticipation of influx of new |
| start up teams for Under 6’s and Under 7’s boys and girls teams during 2026/27. |
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| Performance of fundraising activities against objectives set |
Over the last financial year the community football club [charity] received £22,762 through direct grant funding awards. Through fund-raising initiatives and charitable activities the charity raised a further £69,315 to support its work within its community. Several local businesses have provided funding and sponsorship for the men’s, women’s, and junior section teams e.g. football strips, weatherproof winter coats, training tops and training leisurewear etc. Grant funding and internal fund-raising initiatives enabled the charity to purchase football and sports equipment to support the activities of the charity e.g. mini folding goalposts, footballs, bibs, cones, water bottles, slalom poles, first aid kits etc. The charity introduced additional football training and coaching sessions for the disadvantaged school children. The Junior Academy teams were able to train a minimum of 46 weeks of the year utilising outdoor grass training fields, in- doors sports facilities and 3G football pitches. Through grant funding the charity hired UEFA C licence qualified coaches to deliver bespoke coaching sessions to individual teams and the school aged children throughout the year, and providing mentoring to the volunteer FA Level 1 coaches and volunteer sessional support workers. The cost-of-living crisis continues to provide a challenge and is having a massive impact on the charity with £21,921 being spent on core operational running costs e.g. utility costs, annual ground rent, and venue hire for the grass field, use of in-door sports facilities and the outdoor 3G pitches |
| Investment performance against objectives |
Priority 4: To re-develop the existing community-based football club main stand and seating area (funding via Horden Parish Council and Horden Recreation Ground Trust, Charity Number 520826] and Football Foundation Grant Funding. a. Phase 3 – installation of new covered standing area for minimum of 100 people (completed February 2026). This enabled the football club to comply with the FA tier 5/6 ground requirement and regulations. |
| Other | On Thursday, 28thAugust 2025 as part of the communities 125-year celebration event to commemorate the sinking of the pit shaft in Horden the football club and its charity organised a free day of activities for the school aged children within its community. We provided school aged children (aged 5-to-11-year-olds) with the opportunity to participate in “a free event of fun, games, competitions and prizes as well as football training and coaching activities”. |
The activities were delivered by external UEFA C licence qualified coaches and our in-house volunteer coaches. Funding was kindly provided by the Coalfields Regeneration Trust (charity 1074930) and this enabled the football club and charity to deliver the activities within the event. The 60 children attending the event were provided with a free healthy packed lunch with refreshments.
Financial Review
| Review of the charity’s financial position at the end of the period |
The charity finished the financial year with a reasonable financial position and with no significant liabilities. The cash flow for this year indicates a net inflow of £608. With cash at bank of £5,223 and cash in hand of £854. The cost-of-living crisis is having an impact on expenditure with the charitable activity costs and overheads increasing to £69,132. During these very challenging times, the charity kept the junior section monthly subscription fees to £8 per child per month, enabling the disadvantaged school aged children to continue having access to football training and coaching sessions throughout the year. However, the charity recognises it may have to increase the monthly subscription fees during the next financial year to ensure the charity remains sustainable for the future. |
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| Statement explaining the policy for holding reserves stating why they are held |
Cash reserves should be raised to a minimum of £6,000 to ensure the charity is sustainable and to cover core operational running costs and day-to-day expenditure. All planned expenditure including the roll-out of 10-year Development Plan and the Junior Academy Development Plan need to take into consideration any cash reserves, ensuring cash reserves do not fall below the £6,000 threshold. All new project initiatives to be planned well in advance, and not undertaken until funds are secured and firmly in place. |
| Amount of reserves held | £6,077 |
| Reasons for holding zero reserves |
Not applicable |
| Details of fund materially in deficit |
Not applicable |
| Explanation of any uncertainties about the charity continuing as a going concern |
Not applicable |
Additional information (optional)
You may choose to include further statements where relevant about:
| The charity’s principal sources of funds (including any fundraising) |
The charity continues to rely on the goodwill of its community including community and voluntary sector organisations, charitable organisations, securing external grant funding and through internal fund-raising initiatives including: advertising space on walls & fencing, membership subscription fees. Income from food, refreshments, gate receipts, match day raff and general donations. |
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| Investment policy and objectives including any social investment policy adopted |
Not applicable |
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| A description of the principal risks facing the charity |
The continued impact of the cost-of-living crisis. Any significant increase in the core operational running costs e.g. annual ground rent, utility costs, training facility venue hire costs etc would have a significant impact of the work we do within our community. This may result in a decrease in service provision and / or a reduction in access to facilities and resources for the disadvantaged school aged children and young people within our community. |
| Other | Not applicable |
Structure, Governance and Management
| Description of charity’s trusts: |
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| Type of governing document | Foundation Constitution |
| How is the charity constituted? |
Charitable Incorporated Organisation (CIO) |
| Trustee selection methods including details of any constitutional provisions e.g. election to post or name of any person or body entitled to appoint one or more trustees |
1. Apart from the first charity trustees, every trustee must be appointed for a term of three years by a resolution passed at a properly convened meeting of the charity trustees. 2. In selecting individuals for appointment as charity trustees, the charity trustees must have regard to the skills, knowledge and experience needed for the effective administration of the CIO. 3. The charity trustees will make available to each new charity trustee, on or before his or her first appointment: a) a copy of the current version of this constitution; and b) a copy of the CIO’s latest Trustees’ Annual Report and statement of accounts. |
| Additional information (optional) You may choose to include further statements where relevant about: |
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| Policies and procedures adopted for the induction and training of trustees |
Review of policy and procedure for: • Induction process – welcome pack for Trustees and Committee members • Training programme for all new trustees (developing & supporting Trustees i.e. skills & knowledge to enhance organisational / charity impact) |
| The charity’s organisational structure and any wider network with which the charity works |
The charity’s organisational structure consists of a 2-tier structure: 1) CIO Trustees (charitable decision making & delegation where necessary) 2) Football Club Committee (informal or associate / non-voting membership) responsible for the day-to-day running and functionality of the club and Junior Academy including supporting Trustees with Development Planning & strategy, resource provision, financial management etc |
| Relationship with any related parties |
The charity works in partnership with Horden Parish Council and Horden Recreation Ground Trust [520826], and local, |
| regional, and national organisations to improve the facilities and resources available to the charity, through co-operation, partnership working in the pursuit of the football clubs’ charitable objectives. |
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| Other | Not applicable |
Reference and Administrative details
| Charity name | Horden Community Welfare Football Club |
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| Other name the charity uses | Horden Community Welfare FC and Junior Academy |
| Registered charity number | 1202870 |
| Charity’s principal address | Eden Street, Horden, Peterlee, County Durham SR8 4LH |
Names of the charity trustees who manage the charity
| 1 2 3 4 5 6 |
Trustee name | Office (if any) | Dates acted if not for whole **year ** |
Name of person (or body) entitled to appoint trustee (ifany) |
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| Chris Cain | Chair | |||
| Malcolm Yorke | Vice-chair, Welfare & Safeguarding Officer |
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| Ryan Cuthbert | Treasurer and Secretary |
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| Ian Stamp | Head of the Junior Academy |
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| Janet Payne | Trustee | |||
| Tim Girvan | Trustee |
Name of trustees holding title to property belonging to the charity
| Trustee name | **Dates acted if not for whole year ** | |
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| Horden Recreation Ground Trust [520826] |
10 months per year (from third Saturday in July to the second Saturday of May annually) |
*Horden Community Welfare Football Club [1202870] have a 10-year licence agreement, and are tenants of the ground and stadia facilities within Horden Welfare Park |
Funds held as custodian trustees on behalf of others
Description of the assets Not applicable held in this capacity Name and objects of the Not applicable charity on whose behalf the assets are held and how this fall within the custodian charity’s objects
Declarations The trustses declar? that they have approved the trustees, report above. Signed on behalf of the Gharlty's trustees Signature(s) Full namq8) Posltlon (eg S•cr•tary, Chalr, etc) Chris Cain Ryan Cuthbert Chairperson Treasurer and Secretary Date 1 Oth August 2026
j CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WALES Horden Communlty Wè re Footbal lu 1202870 Receipts and payments accounts CC16a Forthe p8rtod from 01-Apr-2S 31-Mar-28 Section A Receipts and payments Unf•slrictod RoStAGtgd EndownThl lund• lund• lund• i01h•rul £ lQti rv••t£ ioth• n•¥•£ itsth•fi•4r•st£ trlhvn•w•rt¢ Tolal funds L4y A1 Rocel Is Donations and rani$ Fundiaisi aciivilies Mewber5hi subs¢ri Club sho 'nd$lrechar Iota 27.1•2 69.315 1$.911 21.662 53,JO9 9.%6 69.31$ 16.911 ons 72) 723 3.lJ3 95305 incon 114735 111.735 A2 Asstand inve8tment8ales. (see tof• Toial rne•lpts 114.735 114.7JS A3Po Annual ground r¢nt and hiri9 trai9 tsuli Repair5 and mainienar Ublity c05ts- Lighting. heaknng & water. internet Purchase of sports equiprnentand resovrce$ rhqrilabie acbvitses (x)sts .rance. bcence renewal &leg fees Volunteer development costs IFA coach1ng courses, saleguardlng, firnta etcl Govttra costs Other 15x7 lJ17 iSJ57 1.317 V27 182J9 8•.132 18.239 1•.132 16,981 ,591 479 478 1.160 650 Sub tor•1 114127 A4 Asset and Invostment purchaJM, •e¢ labte Sub totsl 93.51 Nèt ofrnctsl(payments) AS Trtn•f*r& botsveen fundB A6 Cash lund8 last year end Cash lunds thls yearend 2.255 5.469 7.694 6.077 6,on CCXX Rl ac¢ountslSSI 1010812026
Section B Statement of assets and liabilities at the end of the period Unrtttr5¢tsd Rg8trfctg funds lunds lonur••t£ Endowm•nt lunds B1 fund• Total Cash fvnds 6,077 xwA($11 funds funds FundtCfMhkh CoBt (Opts) C¢TvIl• 83 Investmentassets 84 As•ts i•i•lnod for th• ¢horlty's ownu Fi¥ture$ & filbngs le.9. kitchen equipftni & ecknc applianrsl Land & tsJilding$ (occupied by carity under Iicence agreement) (her assets le.y. rnobile g081posts & swrts equipment) 12.0 45.1 AnMj olaL!s 86 Llablllll•s by tw81• on b•h•Wofal tho Iru¥l••i SKJnale Pn"nl Name Dale of V81 Chris C8in Ryan Culhbért Cax R2 acco1$51
CHARITY COMMISSION FOR ENGLAND AND WAI ES Independent examiner's report on the accounts Section A Independent Examiner's Report Report to the Ifustees Horden Community Welfare Football Club On accounts for the year ended 31 March 2026 Charity no lif any) 1202870 Sot out on pages I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the above charity I'the Trust") for the year ended 3110312024. ResponsibilTtI and basis of report As the charity's trustees. you are responsible for the preparatton of the accounts in accordance with the requirements of the Charrties Act 2011 Ilhe Act'}. I report in raspeet of my examination of the Trust's accounts carried out under section 145 of the 2011 Act and in carrying out my examination, I have followed all the applicable Directions given by the Charity Commission under sect¢on 14515}Ibl of the Act. Indèpendent I have eompleted my examination. I confimi that no material matters have examiner's statement come lo my attention in connection wrth the examination (other than Ihat disclosed below ') which gives me cause to t*lieve that in, any material respect". the accounting records were not kept in acGordance with $e¢lion 130 of the Charities Aci-, or the accounts did not accord with the accounting records.. or I have no concems and have come acros$ no other matters in connection with the examination lo which attention should be drawn in thi5 report in order to enable a proper underslarKling ol the accounts lo be reached. Signod: Date: 10 August 2026 Name: Wesley H8pbum Relevant professional qualificationlsl or body {If any): AAT lQualrfied Bookkeeper) ACCA (Part Qualified) Address: 1 Beeth Terrace Horden, Pelerlee. County Durham SR8 4JP Section B Disclosure Only complete if the examiner needs to highlight material matter5 of concern {see CC32. Independent examination of chanty accounts.. directions and guidance for examiners). IER