EAST Thurrock Community Football Club has received a £1,000 funding boost from The Co-operative Bank, giving them the vital funds to get their 100% fan-owned football club off the ground.
For the community, losing East Thurrock United, the club that many had followed for decades, left a void of high level football in the area and socially for many fans.
Inspiringly, a group of volunteers, who previously helped the old club, decided to come together to bring football back to East Thurrock. It quickly became clear that they all had the same goal in mind, to honour the traditions of the old club as much as possible, and offer a 100% fan- owned, democratic, transparent and sustainable club.
With funding from The Co-operative Bank’s Customer Donation Fund, the club were able to purchase their first ever training supplies, from footballs, bibs and cones to water bottles. It allowed them to host their first training session and a trials day in which over 40 players came to try and make the first ever squad.
Jack Duffin, Chairman at East Thurrock Community Football club, said:
“The Co-operative Bank Customer Donation Fund was the leg up that our 100% fan owned club, East Thurrock Community Football Club, needed to kick start our football journey. It allowed us to provide senior football again to the East Thurrock area by providing playing and training equipment for the team. It took a large burden off of our shoulders of a large outlay, only 12 weeks away from the start of the season for a trials day. The Fund was gratefully received by all of the fans who attended trials day and many complimented how good all the equipment looked.”
Just 22 days after they launched, they had reached their ambitious target of 100 owners, spanning across England, Wales, Australia, Italy, Qatar, Scotland, Spain and the USA. The club also has support from a range of charity partners and sponsors.
Amelia Burnett, SME Product Manager at The Co-operative Bank, said:
“Supporting our customers, particularly smaller charities and community projects, has never been more important. We are proud to have been able to provide these grants to projects across the UK that are positively impacting communities and bringing them together through sport.”
Since the Fund was set up back in 2003, award-winning charity banking provider The Co-operative Bank has donated over £1.1 million to more than 1,000 community projects, with almost £100,000 donated in 2024 alone to support communities to thrive.
Applications for the next round of funding are now open and Community DirectPlus customers can fill in an application form here.
