Bombers call for donations Jon Pierik
The Age
September 27, 2013 - 7:09PM As it deals with being in debt for the first time in its history, Essendon has been forced to seek added financial help from supporters through its membership program to help fund its new training facility.
Bombers chairman Paul Little has written to members this week, declaring the club wanted to get back in the black as soon as possible.
It’s understood the Bombers have debts of more than $7million, with $5million linked to the new training facility at Tullamarine. The balance is related to fines and legal fees from the supplements scandal, although Little stressed member donations would not be used to recoup those costs.
‘‘The club has always expected to go into debt as a result of the investment into the project and that is indeed where we now find ourselves for the first time in our history,’’ Little said.
‘‘I want to make one final thing clear – this donation will go towards our new facility only. We will not be asking our members to put any money towards the fine we recently received from the AFL. If you choose to donate towards our new facility, it will be an investment towards the future of our club.’’
Thousands of members have already contributed in recent years to the project, but that donations are now being linked to membership renewals highlights the club’s tough financial predicament.
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