Here at Talking Bull we have been nosily eyeing up what our National League North opposition have been up to since mid-May to early June. 
Alfreton are shut other than inviting fans to vote on new kit designs.
As the Altrincham chairman retired, club patrons were encouraged to pay their £50 earlier to help pay bills. A record number signed up. Alty received over £22,000 in donations. Shirt and stadium sponsors are agreed. An online Q+A with the new chairman is imminent as is a volunteer ground improvement day.
Blyth Spartans are asking supporters to join their patrons draw scheme – the 1899 club at £100 per season or make one-off donations. They are considering partly refunding season tickets. The Spartans have made their interim manager permanent and have signed 3 players for next season.
Boston United seek donations towards the cost of their new ground. £5,000 for one floodlight sounds rather hopeful! Otherwise, news is in short supply.
Brackley Town provide weekly newsletters to their supporters. Ten players are definitely staying though the reserve team was scrapped to help fund a new clubhouse and a new stand. Supporters are encouraged to Buy-A-Brick.
Bradford Park Avenue are recruiting for both their first team and Academy. Their first team management signed 3-year contracts while 4 players are signed for next season, including two new arrivals. They will be using GPS trackers. Several players are sponsored for 2020/21.
Fan owned Chester are working on a 5-year strategic plan with input from 1,300 supporters. Their club shop is taking orders for a retro shirt (300 pre-orders) and CFC facemasks as fundraisers. £4,000 raised through donations has helped pitch restoration. A new budget fundraiser starts soon. Season ticket holders had options to choose from including refunds. Only 2.5% chose refunds. The abrupt departure of a benefactor left a major financial headache thus Chester deferred their utility bills.
Curzon agreed a 3-year kit sponsorship deal with Adidas and secured them as new youth team sponsors. Meanwhile, their crowd funder to pay bills and 3G pitch maintenance topped £7,000. The Nash offered terms to all contracted players from last season.
Fan-owned Darlington raised £131,000 in May. During the same month, 13 players agreed new terms for 2020/21 and the new management team had their contracts extended. Their club shop has a new range of merchandise including a retro shirt. 2020/21 shirts can be pre-ordered now with a green away kit chosen by voting. 11 club updates were shared with fans. Club directors have rung supporters in lockdown.
Farsley Celtic have 5 of their 2019/20 squad members secured plus one new recruit and an incoing assistant manager. Their scholarship programme has recruited 14 new scholars and two coaches. Celtic are keen to develop their U23 team. Celtic appealed for free plaster and decking though curiously their owner is a builder.
Gateshead ran a “budget-booster” raising £13,000 in two weeks. Twelve players have re-signed for the new season with the Heed retaining their full-time status. They are starting a Ladies team and have appointed a new coach.
Gloucester have signed three new players, one on a 2-year deal, and agreed extended terms with three squad members. Six were already contracted for 2020/21. Furloughing is holding up building work on Meadow Park. The Tigers are also seeking boys and ladies for their expanded Academy and traineeships. Their Boost the Budget hasn’t – raising just £560. One supporter running a marathon in his garden raised over £2,200. City have paid all their 2019/20 bills.
Guiseley raised £10,000 via a Pay-It-Forward scheme in May and are re-running the scheme again in June, plus an online 50/50. Various fans schemes have added an extra £6,500.
Kettering installed new turnstiles, a 250-seater stand and extra terracing. Profits from the Supporters Trust monthly draw will be spent on a sponge roller. Luke Graham is offering free social distance training to young people.
Kidderminster have made their interim manager permanent and have brought in a Director of Football. Five of their squad have re-signed plus one arrival from AFC Fylde to add to the six already contracted. Their academy is recruiting more male and female players. Meanwhile 2019/20 season ticket holders will be offered club vouchers in recompense. Fans are encouraged to support the Golden Goal lottery or offer donations.
Kings Lynn open their WalksWarChest in early June, hoping to raise £50,000. Fifteen squad members have re-signed while two are considering offers. Meanwhile the pitch has had new drainage pipes added.
Leamington FC are opening a post 16 Academy, and have kept their weekly lotto going. In the absence of news, twitter followers are bombarded with podcasts, their virtual player awards night, and goal clips.
Southport have made 3 new signings and announced a stand sponsor. Five players are sponsored at £250 each. The ground is opened weekly for walking visits. Port encourages supporters to donate via their website. A new membership scheme has launched.
Spennymoor continue to spend money on ground improvements. Eight squad members have re-signed adding to the two already on contract and one new signing. Two senior players were not given a contract but were invited to take up new club roles. The club chairman has agreed to fund any financial shortfall for the Academy which has 600 participants. Donations are encouraged via website.
AFC Telford are running supporter clean-up nights every Tuesday to assist ground maintenance. An 11-year old Academy player has organised a sponsored run to help his club. £1,800 has already been raised. The club have just opened a Boost-The-Budget fund, brining in £2,300 in a few days. The manager has re-signed six players and added one new arrival. They will also be wearing Adidas kit (agreed in April). A Director for a Day raffle costs £5 per ticket.
York City are shut. Their website promotes the fundraising efforts of their Vice-Presidents Club who have collected £10,000 in donations. Their new ground is almost complete but once handed over, City will have to pay monthly rent.
