The 92 Premier and Football League grounds
Discussion
My lads and I are going to use 2-3 weeks of the holidays (either this summer or one of the half terms) to go around all 92 football grounds in the Premier League and Football League. I did it once before in 1998 and raised about £5k by collecting signed shirts, footballs and pennants then raffling them off at home.
I've got two charities lined up to split the money between but I'm looking for a different angle on the fundraising side of things. Collecting shirts etc is good but everyone does it; I'd be keen to find a better way of getting money raised. I can't do it like some groups have where they do it in three or four days as there's only me driving and I'm too fat to cycle around them all. Just something that will set me apart from everyone else that does it.
Any ideas gratefully welcomed.
I've got two charities lined up to split the money between but I'm looking for a different angle on the fundraising side of things. Collecting shirts etc is good but everyone does it; I'd be keen to find a better way of getting money raised. I can't do it like some groups have where they do it in three or four days as there's only me driving and I'm too fat to cycle around them all. Just something that will set me apart from everyone else that does it.
Any ideas gratefully welcomed.
TwigtheWonderkid said:
A picture of a gnome (in Yeovil scarf) outside the main entrance of each ground, with the club name obscured. Then a competition the identify the club in each picture (with the 92 pictures numbered randomly). £5 entry fee, winner gets £100 and the well travelled gnome.
Perhaps run it thru the Yeovil website. 1000 entries (might be optimistic) gets your £5K, less the £100 prize money. try and get local radio and tv support.
Probably a crap idea.
That's a really good shout, Twig. Superb idea and just the thing I wanted to get from people.... Perhaps run it thru the Yeovil website. 1000 entries (might be optimistic) gets your £5K, less the £100 prize money. try and get local radio and tv support.
Probably a crap idea.
Could call it "Gnome And Away" or "Gnome That Ground".
Thanks Jiffle. 
Revisiting Twig's idea, it might need a little work if we have to check 92 photos from a thousand entries (if we get that many!). Might be easier to pick a random ten grounds that the gnome visits, maybe pick a camera angle that doesn't give the game away and go from there.
Certainly a great idea though.
ETA: I suppose that rather than check every single entry, you could pick the winner and THEN check he's got them all right.
ETA: The tagline could be "Charity Begins At Gnome!". Found this little fella on eBay and his hat matches our kit quite well.
Revisiting Twig's idea, it might need a little work if we have to check 92 photos from a thousand entries (if we get that many!). Might be easier to pick a random ten grounds that the gnome visits, maybe pick a camera angle that doesn't give the game away and go from there.
Certainly a great idea though.
ETA: I suppose that rather than check every single entry, you could pick the winner and THEN check he's got them all right.
ETA: The tagline could be "Charity Begins At Gnome!". Found this little fella on eBay and his hat matches our kit quite well.
Edited by GloverMart on Sunday 5th June 08:34
TwigtheWonderkid said:
GloverMart, are you using your own car and paying for your own fuel? If so, pm me as I have an idea about someone who might consider sponsoring it with a car and fuel paid for. But I don't really want to go into details on a public forum.
Hi Twig,I've sent you a PM.
Edited by GloverMart on Sunday 5th June 15:31
Iva Barchetta said:
Like the Gnome themes.
Could you do a daily updates or even more regular during the trip ?
Yes, we should be able to. Both my lads have You Tube accounts, we are all relatively tech savvy and there will be a website built too with some info on. I'll set up a Twitter feed and Facebook page too. Could you do a daily updates or even more regular during the trip ?
Greygoose - would have to be the Olympic Stadium.
Just an update on this as I've been quiet for a few weeks.
Planned it out now, route wise, and looking to start on 8th April 2017 and finish on 22nd April 2017. One of the charities we are raising money for was set up after the tragic death of a player aged 31. Those dates will allow us to start at his first professional club and finish at the club he died while playing at.
I'm still hopeful that Twig's suggestion will bear fruit. Regarding accommodation, we are going to use Travelodge along the way and the twelve nights away will cost about £500 including breakfasts. Sounds a lot but I'm going to buy a couple of nights a month between now and then to spread the cost as I don't think anyone is likely to cough up that much for me to have a holiday.
That's why instead of doing it in July/August (not enough lead time) and October/November (only an 11 day window), we are doing it over Easter instead.
Yeovil's mascot is the Jolly Green Giant and the club have donated a miniature version of him. I'll also grab an autograph book and get Jolly some autographs around the clubs before auctioning him off too, a twist on Twig's idea. Best of all, the dates and routes we have organised let us watch seven games (albeit they might get rearranged).
Planned it out now, route wise, and looking to start on 8th April 2017 and finish on 22nd April 2017. One of the charities we are raising money for was set up after the tragic death of a player aged 31. Those dates will allow us to start at his first professional club and finish at the club he died while playing at.
I'm still hopeful that Twig's suggestion will bear fruit. Regarding accommodation, we are going to use Travelodge along the way and the twelve nights away will cost about £500 including breakfasts. Sounds a lot but I'm going to buy a couple of nights a month between now and then to spread the cost as I don't think anyone is likely to cough up that much for me to have a holiday.
That's why instead of doing it in July/August (not enough lead time) and October/November (only an 11 day window), we are doing it over Easter instead.
Yeovil's mascot is the Jolly Green Giant and the club have donated a miniature version of him. I'll also grab an autograph book and get Jolly some autographs around the clubs before auctioning him off too, a twist on Twig's idea. Best of all, the dates and routes we have organised let us watch seven games (albeit they might get rearranged).
Thanks both.
Cheers Twig, should be in your neck of the woods the morning of Thursday 20th April. London grounds are going to be a little flexible order-wise just in case we get to watch a game on Tuesday 18th April.
Just realised, we will be at Anfield on Saturday 15th April, the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Cheers Twig, should be in your neck of the woods the morning of Thursday 20th April. London grounds are going to be a little flexible order-wise just in case we get to watch a game on Tuesday 18th April.
Just realised, we will be at Anfield on Saturday 15th April, the anniversary of the Hillsborough disaster.
Edited by GloverMart on Saturday 9th July 22:28
Well, planning is a bit further forward now and we are firming down dates and times, ready for the letters to go out to the clubs in the next couple of weeks. Now on Facebook, Twitter and a small website has been created for the challenge.
We have actually managed to weave in eleven matches along the way to watch. There should be some more rearranged games nearer the time (plus we might have a Europa League and/or Champions League game depending on who qualifies) but looks like we might get in to see fixtures at Bury, Bradford City, Wigan, West Brom, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Exeter. Also, there are non league games at Stockport County and Sutton Coldfield and under-23 matches at Nottingham Forest and Leicester.
My profile has the website address in if anyone wants any further details.
We have actually managed to weave in eleven matches along the way to watch. There should be some more rearranged games nearer the time (plus we might have a Europa League and/or Champions League game depending on who qualifies) but looks like we might get in to see fixtures at Bury, Bradford City, Wigan, West Brom, Birmingham, Portsmouth and Exeter. Also, there are non league games at Stockport County and Sutton Coldfield and under-23 matches at Nottingham Forest and Leicester.
My profile has the website address in if anyone wants any further details.
n_const said:
This is cracking Mart fair play. I work with someone whose Father is Honorary President at Newport County, let me know if that will be of any help to you regarding merchandise etc ?
Hi there, yes that might be pretty useful a little nearer the time. I have good contacts at about 20 of the clubs and possible ways in to another 30 or so. Newport is one where our mascot knows the guy who's in the Spytty the Dog costume so a little tenuous but your help would be much appreciated!! Thank you so much!
Had a phone call yesterday from Practical Car & Van Rental who have said they will donate a diesel estate car to the challenge. Had emailed about a dozen car hire companies with little or no response but fair play to Practical, a branch manager contacted the MD who has agreed the deal...
Not sure what it will be as their new fleet comes after Christmas but anything will be better than my 53 plate Focus estate.
Not sure what it will be as their new fleet comes after Christmas but anything will be better than my 53 plate Focus estate.
Just the briefest of updates.
Contacted one of my customers back in July regarding sponsorship and having only had one quick chat about it several weeks later, passed it off as a "No". Imagine my surprise then when they emailed me an hour ago to agree to cover the cost of the fuel (around £350)....
. It's a national housebuilder with a local office here in Bristol.
Happy days!!
Contacted one of my customers back in July regarding sponsorship and having only had one quick chat about it several weeks later, passed it off as a "No". Imagine my surprise then when they emailed me an hour ago to agree to cover the cost of the fuel (around £350)....
. It's a national housebuilder with a local office here in Bristol. Happy days!!
About time for a brief update.
Have sent off thirty letters now, with seven replies. Four of those (Yeovil, Preston, Walsall and Colchester) said "yes" along with, believe it or not, England who emailed yesterday to offer a signed shirt. Will have all clubs contacted by Christmas hopefully and then also, in the next few weeks, going to message local businesses to see if they can sponsor our accommodation. I know it's a bit cheeky asking companies to sponsor my "holiday" but I'll offer them a page in my local team's programme, a link on our website and promote them through the 4-2-3-1 website, the address of which is in my profile.
Have sent off thirty letters now, with seven replies. Four of those (Yeovil, Preston, Walsall and Colchester) said "yes" along with, believe it or not, England who emailed yesterday to offer a signed shirt. Will have all clubs contacted by Christmas hopefully and then also, in the next few weeks, going to message local businesses to see if they can sponsor our accommodation. I know it's a bit cheeky asking companies to sponsor my "holiday" but I'll offer them a page in my local team's programme, a link on our website and promote them through the 4-2-3-1 website, the address of which is in my profile.
Here's a list of games we hope to attend!
Sat 8th Apr - 3pm - Portsmouth v Yeovil (League Two)
Mon 10th Apr - 2pm - Nottm Forest v Huddersfield u23
Mon 10th Apr - 7pm - Leicester City v Man United u23
Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Fri 14th Apr - 3pm - Bradford City v Oxford United (League One)
Fri 14th Apr - 7.45pm - Stockport County v AFC Telford (National League North)
Sat 15th Apr - 3pm - Everton v Burnley (Premier League)
Sun 16th Apr - 4pm - WBA v Liverpool (Premier League)
Mon 17th Apr - 3pm - Birmingham City v Burton Albion (Championship)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Sat 8th Apr - 3pm - Portsmouth v Yeovil (League Two)
Mon 10th Apr - 2pm - Nottm Forest v Huddersfield u23
Mon 10th Apr - 7pm - Leicester City v Man United u23
Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Fri 14th Apr - 3pm - Bradford City v Oxford United (League One)
Fri 14th Apr - 7.45pm - Stockport County v AFC Telford (National League North)
Sat 15th Apr - 3pm - Everton v Burnley (Premier League)
Sun 16th Apr - 4pm - WBA v Liverpool (Premier League)
Mon 17th Apr - 3pm - Birmingham City v Burton Albion (Championship)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Edited by GloverMart on Monday 28th November 20:57
Another brief update!
Back in July, I approached a customer of mine ( a national housebuilder) regarding donating money to cover the fuel bill for the challenge. At roughly the same time, the garage that is supplying the vehicle contacted HIS fuel supplier to ask the same question. Didn't hear back from either of them until six weeks ago when the housebuilder said "Yes, we'll do the fuel!".
Then, and this is the update, last week the fuel company said "Yes, happy to give you the fuel you need!". So went back to my customer who has now agreed to switch their sponsorship across to cover £350 towards our accommodation costs. Makes more sense, a fuel company supplying fuel and a housebuilder putting a roof over our heads.
Next step is to start booking the hotels in the New Year when the offers come out. Last time I planned out the accommodation, came in at about £450 and that was 12 nights at either a Travelodge / Premier Inn and breakfast at 8 or 9 of them included.
Have decided not to contact any more clubs till post-Christmas as the post and (lack of) staff might affect success of getting through to the right person. Up to seven shirts, a pair of boots and a family matchday ticket so far....
Back in July, I approached a customer of mine ( a national housebuilder) regarding donating money to cover the fuel bill for the challenge. At roughly the same time, the garage that is supplying the vehicle contacted HIS fuel supplier to ask the same question. Didn't hear back from either of them until six weeks ago when the housebuilder said "Yes, we'll do the fuel!".
Then, and this is the update, last week the fuel company said "Yes, happy to give you the fuel you need!". So went back to my customer who has now agreed to switch their sponsorship across to cover £350 towards our accommodation costs. Makes more sense, a fuel company supplying fuel and a housebuilder putting a roof over our heads.
Next step is to start booking the hotels in the New Year when the offers come out. Last time I planned out the accommodation, came in at about £450 and that was 12 nights at either a Travelodge / Premier Inn and breakfast at 8 or 9 of them included.
Have decided not to contact any more clubs till post-Christmas as the post and (lack of) staff might affect success of getting through to the right person. Up to seven shirts, a pair of boots and a family matchday ticket so far....
Edited by GloverMart on Wednesday 14th December 15:02
TwigtheWonderkid said:
GloverMart said:
Here's a list of games we hope to attend!
Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Wow, how an Earth are you going to be able to wangle tickets for those 3. Gold dust or what! Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Edited by GloverMart on Monday 28th November 20:57
Should be okay for the bottom one as Adam Stansfield (one of the charities) died an Exeter City player. But the top two, might have to get there early and look out for a tout!!
TwigtheWonderkid said:
GloverMart said:
TwigtheWonderkid said:
GloverMart said:
Here's a list of games we hope to attend!
Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Wow, how an Earth are you going to be able to wangle tickets for those 3. Gold dust or what! Thu 13th Apr - 7.45pm - Bury v Rochdale (League One)
Mon 17th Apr - 7.30pm - Sutton Coldfield v Halesowen Town (Northern Premier)
Sat 22nd Apr - 3.00pm - Exeter City v Morecambe (League Two)
Edited by GloverMart on Monday 28th November 20:57
Should be okay for the bottom one as Adam Stansfield (one of the charities) died an Exeter City player. But the top two, might have to get there early and look out for a tout!!
I got Real v Barca & AC V Inter on there. They might be able to source Bury Rochdale. Expect to pay top dollar though.
Just spotted an ex-Yeovil player turning out for Sutton Coldfield so think I might be ok for that one too. Viagogo then for El Lancashirio....
Two months on and an update.
Twenty clubs have replied with 11 saying "yes", 2 saying "maybe" and 7 saying "no". Those who said yes are Yeovil, Preston, Walsall, Brighton, Exeter, Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Colchester, Hull City, Middlesbrough and Rochdale. Hartlepool and Arsenal are the possibles.
Redrow Homes coughed up their £350 towards accommodation sponsorship so I've spent that this morning on nine nights stay in seven Travelodges and two Premier Inns. Just three more nights to fund myself, which I'm happy with. That includes six lots of "unlimited breakfasts" too, bargain!
Although we are visiting the 92, we are also paying a visit to Wembley to collect an England signed shirt, to Hereford United for something from them (Adam Stansfield used to play there) and this morning, we heard that Palmers FC (the famous Sunday League team from YouTube) will donate a shirt and feature us in their next video.
The list of items for auctioning is up to 21 now. I say 21, it's actually 20 as we auctioned a family ticket for Crawley Town last week. Any clubs donating match tickets, we will auction them off ASAP to give the winner as many games to choose from as possible. Our Virgin giving site is now up to £175 too which is great.
Next job is to hit the clubs hard in the next two weeks with nearly seventy still to organise. Kids are getting excited now, especially with the Palmers FC stuff, and the final one will be to try to wangle some tickets for the games we attend.
Twenty clubs have replied with 11 saying "yes", 2 saying "maybe" and 7 saying "no". Those who said yes are Yeovil, Preston, Walsall, Brighton, Exeter, Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Colchester, Hull City, Middlesbrough and Rochdale. Hartlepool and Arsenal are the possibles.
Redrow Homes coughed up their £350 towards accommodation sponsorship so I've spent that this morning on nine nights stay in seven Travelodges and two Premier Inns. Just three more nights to fund myself, which I'm happy with. That includes six lots of "unlimited breakfasts" too, bargain!
Although we are visiting the 92, we are also paying a visit to Wembley to collect an England signed shirt, to Hereford United for something from them (Adam Stansfield used to play there) and this morning, we heard that Palmers FC (the famous Sunday League team from YouTube) will donate a shirt and feature us in their next video.
The list of items for auctioning is up to 21 now. I say 21, it's actually 20 as we auctioned a family ticket for Crawley Town last week. Any clubs donating match tickets, we will auction them off ASAP to give the winner as many games to choose from as possible. Our Virgin giving site is now up to £175 too which is great.
Next job is to hit the clubs hard in the next two weeks with nearly seventy still to organise. Kids are getting excited now, especially with the Palmers FC stuff, and the final one will be to try to wangle some tickets for the games we attend.
GloverMart said:
Two months on and an update.
Twenty clubs have replied with 11 saying "yes", 2 saying "maybe" and 7 saying "no". Those who said yes are Yeovil, Preston, Walsall, Brighton, Exeter, Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Colchester, Hull City, Middlesbrough and Rochdale. Hartlepool and Arsenal are the possibles.
Redrow Homes coughed up their £350 towards accommodation sponsorship so I've spent that this morning on nine nights stay in seven Travelodges and two Premier Inns. Just three more nights to fund myself, which I'm happy with. That includes six lots of "unlimited breakfasts" too, bargain!
Although we are visiting the 92, we are also paying a visit to Wembley to collect an England signed shirt, to Hereford United for something from them (Adam Stansfield used to play there) and this morning, we heard that Palmers FC (the famous Sunday League team from YouTube) will donate a shirt and feature us in their next video.
The list of items for auctioning is up to 21 now. I say 21, it's actually 20 as we auctioned a family ticket for Crawley Town last week. Any clubs donating match tickets, we will auction them off ASAP to give the winner as many games to choose from as possible. Our Virgin giving site is now up to £175 too which is great.
Next job is to hit the clubs hard in the next two weeks with nearly seventy still to organise. Kids are getting excited now, especially with the Palmers FC stuff, and the final one will be to try to wangle some tickets for the games we attend.
Mentioned on Twitter tonight that I'd booked nine out of twelve nights and a sponsor for the other three nights has come forward and coughed up the rest. So ended up getting all the accommodation for £489, basically £40 a night. Travelodge had a 10% special discount day today so managed to get a decent wedge knocked off. Twenty clubs have replied with 11 saying "yes", 2 saying "maybe" and 7 saying "no". Those who said yes are Yeovil, Preston, Walsall, Brighton, Exeter, Crawley, Bristol Rovers, Colchester, Hull City, Middlesbrough and Rochdale. Hartlepool and Arsenal are the possibles.
Redrow Homes coughed up their £350 towards accommodation sponsorship so I've spent that this morning on nine nights stay in seven Travelodges and two Premier Inns. Just three more nights to fund myself, which I'm happy with. That includes six lots of "unlimited breakfasts" too, bargain!
Although we are visiting the 92, we are also paying a visit to Wembley to collect an England signed shirt, to Hereford United for something from them (Adam Stansfield used to play there) and this morning, we heard that Palmers FC (the famous Sunday League team from YouTube) will donate a shirt and feature us in their next video.
The list of items for auctioning is up to 21 now. I say 21, it's actually 20 as we auctioned a family ticket for Crawley Town last week. Any clubs donating match tickets, we will auction them off ASAP to give the winner as many games to choose from as possible. Our Virgin giving site is now up to £175 too which is great.
Next job is to hit the clubs hard in the next two weeks with nearly seventy still to organise. Kids are getting excited now, especially with the Palmers FC stuff, and the final one will be to try to wangle some tickets for the games we attend.
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