Charity Number: NIC104638 Rathfriland Football Club Annual Report and Unaudited Financial Statements for the financial period ended 31 December 2023 Daly Park & Company Ltd Chartered Accountsnts 4 Carnegie Street Lurgan Co. Armagh BT66 6AS Northern Ireland Rathfriland Football Club CONTENTS Page Trustees, and Other Information Trustees, Report Statement of Trustees, Responsibilities Independent Examiner's Report Statement of Financial Activities Balance Sheet 10 Notes to the Financial Statements Rathfriland Football Club TRUSTEES. AND OTHER INFORMATION Trustees Howard Newman Murray Lindsay Bronte Desmond Davenport Mark Ingram David Gilmore Glen Bell Lee McDowell Chairperson Adrian Megaw Charity Number in Northern Ireland NIC104638 Principal Address Rathfriland Football Club Iveagh Park Rathffiland Co. Down BT34 5NQ Northem Ireland Independent Examiner Daly Park & Company Ltd Chartered Accountants 4 Carnegie Street Lurgan Co. Amiagh BT66 6AS Northern Ireland Principal Bankers Ulster Bank 22 Bridge Street Banbridge Co. Down BT32 3JT Northern Ireland Solicitors Gordon Bell & Son 9-11 Newry Street Rathfriland Co. Down BT34 SPY Northern Ireland Rathfriland Football Club TRUSTEES. REPORT for the financial period ended 31 December 2023 The trustees present their Trustees. Report and the unaudited financial slatements for the financial period ended 31 December 2023. The financial statements are prepared in accordan￿ with the Charities Act (Northern Ireland) 2008, FRS 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland" and Accounting and Reporting by Charities.. Statement of Recommended Practice appIl￿ble to charities preparing their financial statements in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102). The Trustees, Report contains the information required to be provided in the Trustees. Annual Report under the Statement of Recommended Practice (SORP) guidelines. The trustees of the company are also charity Iwstees for the purpose of charity law and under the company's conslitulion are known as members of the board of trustees. In this report the trustees of Rathfriland Football Club present a summary of its purpose, governance, activities, achievements and finances for the financial financial period 31 December 2023. The charity is a registered charity and hence the report and results are presented in a form which complies with the requirements of the Charities Act (Northem Ireland) 2008 and, although not obliged to comply with the Statement ol Recommended Practice applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland FRS 102. the organisation has implemented ils recommendations where relevant in these financial statements. Mission, Objectives and Strategy Mission Statsment The Charity has given careful consideration to the Nl Charity Commission guidance on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered in during the year have helped to achieve the charity's aim and objectives as well as providing a public benefit. Objectives The Club has been established to promote fftness, advance education and facilitate social development from the age of 6 through healthy participation in sports and Association Football. To provide a cross community social recreational facility with an emphasis on sporting and recreational activities within ABC Council Borough without distinction of age, sex. race. political, religious or other public opinion. To work with local slatutory agencies and provide a modern, fit for purpose shared facility with the objective of improving the condilions for the said inhabitants. Structure. Governance and Management structure Rathfriland Football Club is governed by a Constitution and a management committee Ihat is elected from the body of the floor at the AGM. The Committee will ensure that the club members and volunteers adhere to the aims and rules described in the constitution. They are also responsible for the day to day management of the club and facilities, ensuring fully compliant with all InsurancelLicencelFirelHealth & Safety and Child Protection guidelines. Governance The Committee are responsible for the appointment of 7 Trustees. These individuals will only be appointed when the committee is clear that they fvlfil the criteria of the Nl Charily commission-_ That they are eligible by'.- having no unspent convictions promoting the ethos of the Club and to be fully knowledgeable of the Constitution take decisions made free from prejudice and in the Charity's best interests make sure the Club is sustainable and resources are managed responsibly - be accounlable to the members adhere to Nl Charity Commission guidance and reporting requirements Brian Todd (President) Adrian Megaw (Chairperson) & Bobby McDowell (Wice Chairperson) Lindsay Bronte (Secretary) & Kathy Thompson (Assl Secretary) Paul Gibbons ￿reasUrer) & Howard Murray (Asst Treasurer) Eric Annett (PRO) Gordon Wilson (Facilities Manager) Alan Shaw {Commercial Manager) & Mervyn Groves (Asst Commercial Manager) David Gilmore Iyouth Development Manager) Rathfriland Football Club TRUSTEES, REPORT for the financial period ended 31 De￿mber 2023 Public Benefit Statement The Charity has given careful consideration to the Nl Charity Commission guidan￿ on public benefit to ensure that the activities entered in during the year have helped to achieve the charity's aim and objectives as well as providing a public benefit. Review of Actlvities, Achievements and Perfomiance Aims The Club continues to encourage and promote fitness activities for ALL from the age of 6 and to facilitate in the development of association football. It is through healthy participation in our sporting activities and the integral social inclusion programmes that will aid the development of our members and resull in better life conditions and opportunities. The Clubs, ethos is to improve sporting and social development of members ofthe community and lo foster good cross community relations in the ABC Council Borough area. A key priority is to see the successful development of youth football and unconditionally supporting other community and voluntary organisations and activities. The Club currently have 3 senior teams, 210 junior members and 40 coaches. he club is established to promote health. fitness. advance education and facilitate social development. through participation in sports and Association Football, who reside in Ralhfriland and it's environs of ABC Council without the distinction of age, gender, disability. sexual orientation, nationality, ethnic idenlity, political or religious opinion, in a common effort to advance education, and to provide facilities in the interests of social welfare for recreation and or other leisure-time occupation. with the objectives of improving health and well-being of said people". Achievements The committee once again musl be commended for their own personal donations, and efforts in securing sponsorship and helping to organise events and nights to raise much needed revenue to meet the costs of managing a successful club. A special mention to Mr Gary Wlson and Mr David Niblock for their efforts and commitment in generated much needed income through organising various events, match day sponsorship and season tickets. The pitches were again maintained at a high level with many games taking place even with inclement weather. The club are indebled to GordonlJuniorlDessielJohn and the chaiman for the diligent work and many hours spent maintaining the pitch and the facilities. A thankless job and the club need to recognise the countless hours undertaken sometimes forgotten. however the Workload taken on needs to be spread as the club grows the workload increases. Following 35 long and successful years in the Nl Amateur League. 2024 season took Rathfriland Rangers and their supporters to many new grounds for the first lime in NIFL. Rathfriland can look back on the year with pride. finishing their first season in 41h and as the 27th best supported team in Northern Ireland. Boxing Day 2023 will be long remembered in the history of Rathfriland FC, hosting the Bob Radcliffe Cup Final. A great community day. the biggest crowd in the club's history saw the Rangers dominate local rival Moneyslane and njn out comfortable 6 nil winners. Congralulations to Ethan Trimble for leading the Swifts to Iheir first Cup win and a big thank you lo Jusly Brown. David Gilmore and Gary Young for all their work and success with Rathfriland Reserves.and wishing them the best in their move to Tandragee Rovers. As always. Rathfriland FC are a forward-thinking club and continue to make improvements to their facilities. Work completed on new Iloodlighting on Iveagh Park allowing Rathfriland Rangers to host competitive match for the first time in their history. The club's first game under the new lights was against local rivals, Banbridge Town. with a crowd of over 400 in attendance. The Club are also indebted to many new volunteers that have helped in various different ways over the season. Ben Graham helping at various events and Elaine Scott central to increasing the profile of ladies football in the local area. Rathfriland Football secured various grants from different funders, and we are indebted to all our sponsors for their continued commitment and support. The Club strive to grow its membership and modemise existing facilities, all within a strÈct financial regime, ensuring we are able to meet all our financial commitments and ensure sustainable of the club. An overspend on erecting new Solar Panels and LED floodlighting around Iveagh Park, resulted in the club temporarily needing a small overdraft facility, which it seeks to repay in full 2024125. The club continue to make their facilities available lo the community of Rathfriland, with various schools, religious organisations and community associations using the club's facilitieslpitches. Once again, the Club are again Ihankful for the endless number of volunteer hours put into by all committee members and community, but a special thank you must be also be given to Alison Megaw, Jennifer Groves, Flo Shaw. Shelia Todd, Kathy and events committee. Results and Dividends At the end of the financial period the charity has assets of £897,694 (Jun 23 - £673.642) and liabililies of £1,680 (Jun 23 - £840). The net assets of the charity have increased by £223.212. Rathfriland Football Club TRUSTEES, REPORT for the financial period ended 31 December 2023 Plans for the Future The Club's main goal is to continue the path followed over the last few years. maintaining the policy of sound management. by monitoring all aspects of our finances and encouraging community support for all activities. With the introduction of a new Under 21 team proposed for the incoming season and a lack of local training facjlilies, Rathfriland would like to create a much needed training area in land adjacent to car park. Ralhfriland Football Club have identified several PTojects and have engage in the services of Richard Forsylhe to assist in the continued developments of grounds and facilities at Iveagh Park to make sure that they remain up lo date and fit for 21st century. With a growing youth section, 2 ladies teams and 4 senior teams, il is always important to ensure facilities remain modern and can meet the demands of increasing use. In accordance with the Constitution, the trustees retire by rotation and, being eliJible, offer themselves for re-election. Compliance with Sector-wide Legislation and Standards The Charity engages pro-aelively with legislation. standards and codes which are developed for the sector. Rathfriland Football Club subscribes to and is compliant wlh the following.. The Charities SORP IFRS 1021 Approved by the Board of Trustees on 19 March 2024 and signed on its behalf by: Howa Trus Nowma rray 098mond DI￿nPOrt Thi*tee Ralhfriland Football Club STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES. RESPONSIBILITIES rthe flnancld perf¢>J anded 31 Dg(*mber2023 The truste￿ ore responslble for prep3rtng th& finandal statsments in accordanc8 ¥￿th AppThcaN¢18w atTrJ regulalrDn8. The lawappllcablo to chHrftt98 In North•m I￿land r4qulr88 ih•tNgtae8 to pr8parèfinandal*atsmentsfor•ach flnaft¢lal pariod whlL* gfvg a trug and lalr vl8w of th8 assets, lJ8blltl05 and flnanclal poslllon ol tho tharity at thB fin8nclal perlod ènd datè 8nd ofth8 suWusordoficf(ofthe charftyand otheThvlso COM￿yV￿th Ih8 Ch8rfttè& Arl (Northem Iroland) 2008..__-_ In prepaiing thes8 finandal stst4manls. Ihe truslges are requtred to.. select $utt8ble aecounllng pollcles 8nd appty ihom conslgtenly.. ob¥tsN• lh8 DJelhc¢s•nd prin¢ipl&* in Charities SORP ffl8ke I￿gements and ac¢ounting eBtirnate8 thol ar6 r￿50[18b1e wdent.. state whether Ihe ffn8nci81 slatements havo been prepared n ac¢ord8nce with app￿C&bIt aGwunting stsndards, id•ntify thtaa At8ndords. gnd not8 thé èffect and Ihg reasons for ary matorfal d•partur• from 1h050 818ndard$,' and wopar• tho flnancAI 5tot8mgnt6 C￿ tho qolno conc4m basis unl956 It IB inappropriat8 to prnsurno that lh• charfty wlll continuo in opeT8tion. The Iruslees confirn Ihat they h8v8 ccfflpll8dwSth Ihg ab￿ rnqulrements In preparfng th& ffnaneAal glat8m&nl8. 'Th• irustse3 are r8sponslbl8 Icf ka8plng 8doquate accounlng records that ara SLrftid8ni w Show and exFlaln th8 charSW8 transactions and disdose wilh reasonable aturrdcy atarry time th8 fjnancial posltion ollhtr chBrityand en8￿8 them to énsurg that the ftTrandal stotfjmonts comply wllh the Charilfjs Act (Northèm Irélandl 2008. Th8y are also raspongiblè for safeguarthn9 tho as8ets of the tharity and hence for leking r