HawkSupport

HawkSupport Public Documents:

Accounts 2006/07
Accounts 2007/08
Accounts 2008/09

HawkSupport formed in May 2005 to build on several previous attempts to get a proper supporters’ club underway. Many fans felt the relationship between them and the club, and indeed other fans, could be better than it was, and that pleas for general help from the Board to help with various aspects of the running of the club went unheard, despite an obvious enthusiasm among fans to participate.

HawkSupport therefore started with several goals during the 2005/06 season: To support the team; to help enhance the profile of the club; to be a central point of contact for all supporters; to improve the bond between supporters and the club; and to coordinate and participate in fundraising and social events for all at the club.

During its first year, HawkSupport’s role grew and grew. By the end of the season, revenues from fundraising events totalled almost £4000, which meant fans for the first time had a significant voice. During the 2006/07 season this almost doubled with the total income standing at just under £8000 for the season, over half of which came from the newly improved club shop. HawkSupport’s third season was helped in no small part by the tremendous FA Cup run and the clamour for associated shirts and merchandise, resulting in an income of almost £21,000; £8000 alone of which remained as profit to be channelled back into the club at the end of the season.

Over its four year existence the supporters’ club has been able to donate significant sums of money to the club. Initially, £500 was given to help pay for loan players during a financially insecure time in January 2006, and following that HawkSupport bought a full size training goal that meant players could practice set pieces away from the pitch’s real goalmouths during poor winter weather. The first season was then capped by providing new training tops for the team, which sported HawkSupport’s name across the shoulders. HawkSupport also worked with the board to return the end of season awards evening to being a truly fan orientated night.

During the 2006/07 season, HawkSupport helped out with the FA Cup match against Millwall by funding the special footballs needed for the match, as well as contributing to the hotel bill for players to enjoy a special night before the game. £1100 was also donated to help fix the ongoing electricity problems at the ground, and £300 to complete a floodlight test needed to ensure Conference National grading during the promotion run in.

The season following, HawkSupport turned its attention financially to the club shop, turning it into a regular stopping point for all Hawks fans with a vast and ever changing range of merchandise. The supporters’ club’s contribution to the club itself came in other forms as the FA Cup run required extra staff to help man ticket sales and organise transport on a massive scale to get fans to Swansea and Liverpool.

Around the same time, HawkSupport reached its 100th membership, and terrace chant favourites Showaddywaddy were invited to become honorary members in celebration. The band agreed, and a bond was formed that gained national exposure as it got caught up in the media attention of the cup run. At the end of the season the band invited HawkSupport members on stage with them when they were on tour in Worthing to sing the adopted Hawks Anthem, ‘Under the Moon of Love’.

The money generated by the incredible cup run allowed HawkSupport to make its largest donation yet to the club at the start of the 2008/09 season; paying the £5000 needed for a much requested electronic scoreboard. The board is now in place and operated by HawkSupport members every match day.

All of this however has only been possible because of HawkSupport’s members. While the committee has steered the organisation’s direction, the enthusiasm of 160+ members has been the driving force behind what HawkSupport has been able to achieve. This season the club decided to take back ownership of the club shop, and now runs its own half time draws and golden goal competitions. As such, for the foreseeable future, HawkSupport’s sources of fund raising are more limited than they have been in the past, but the mission to support fans and present a unified voice remain.

Having had its fourth full Annual General Meeting in July, the committee has altered significantly from last season. Barry Gamlin was elected chairman for a fourth year, Rich Self for a third term as Vice-Chairman, and Sharon Tween for a third term at Secretary. Patrick Moore has replaced Simon Lynch as Treasurer. The full committee includes (alphabetically) Les Hyson, Colin Jeffery, Nathan Jeffery, Neil Noble, Mark Pope and Dave Wells.