News
BUSA pleased to help out
09/09/08
BUSA were pleased to help the Bradford PA fan below. The picture shows BUSA chairman Glen Chapman donating a BUSA badge to his collection and placing it next to the badge he got on his last trip to Boston......a Boston Barracudas badge!
BUSA Donates £1,000 to the Fighting Fund
27/09/08
World's Biggest Coffee Morning
09/09/08
The Geoff Moulder Leisure Centre are taking part in the Worlds Biggest Coffee Morning for thefourth year running in aid of Macmillan Cancer Support (Charity Number
261017). Over the last three years they have raised over £1,136 for this
charity.
This year they are aiming even higher with the coffee morning on Thursday 25th
September 9.00am at 12.30pm. A raffle will be held. Tickets can be purchased from reception at any time and the draw will take place during the coffee morning.
Remember that BUSA members can get a discount when they present their card at Geoff moulder and Creations Health Club.
BUSA Induction Night, Community Day and Golden Goal
03/08/08
BUSA are holding a start of season night at the Sports Bar on Friday 8th August at 8.00 to introduce members new and old to BUSA. If you've never travelled with BUSA and not therefore experienced the magic of Fred's bingo, then get yourself along on Friday.BUSA are also holding a stall at the club's community day on Sunday 10th August.
BUSA are retiring the matchday shirt raffle to pave the way for the return of the Golden Goal. Tickets wil be available in the Sports Bar and around the ground before every home game. If your ticket matches the corrct team and minute of the first goal scored, then you win £75. Furthermore, all winners will enter a draw to be the match ball sponsor of the last home game of the season.
BUSA Awards
26/04/08
Congratulations to the winners of the BUSA awards
Junior members player of the year - Jon Rowan
Members player of the year - Jon Rowan
BUSA special recognition award - David Newton and Neil Kempster
Ernie Cooksey Benefit Match
20/04/08
BUSA are running a trip to the Ernie Cooksey benefit match at Oldham's Boundary Park on Sunday 11th May. The price of the bus will depend on numbers, with the below scale applying.
Number of passengers Cost 20 £23 30 £15 40 £12
These figures are break even. If a number inbetween go (e.g. 28 go at £23) then any profit will be donated to Ernie's fund. Bookings can be made at Saturdays home game against Hyde at the usual BUSA table in the Sports Bar or during the week at the club offices. The usual online service is NOT available for this trip.
Mini Pilgrims Shirts
19/04/08
The latest mini pilgrim to receive his shirts.
Help The Club
5/04/08
A message from the Chairman and Vice-Chairman
Please help us save the club
As you are probably aware, the club remains in a very precarious position. The only possible way forward is for HMRC (the Inland Revenue to you & I!) to accept a modification to the CVA. To date we have not been able to get their agreement. We have stressed at every opportunity how important the club is to the fans and the town. They are aware of the work that is done through The Study Support Centre, The Football in the Community, The Centre of Excellence, and the Youth Development Programme. Please write to HMRC and explain how important the club is to you and the town.
Write to:
HM Revenue & Customs
Durrington Bridge House
Barrington Road
Worthing
Sussex
BN12 4SE
or e-mail: eovasupport@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk
TIME IS RUNNING OUT - PLEASE DO IT TODAY
Thanks for your support
Dave & Neil
BUSA Awards
24/03/08As we approach the last few games of the season it is opportune to remind BUSA members that they will soon be receiving our traditional player / favourite player of the season voting slips. BUSA members will choose their "Player of the Year" while our Junior members will vote for their "Favourite Player of the Year." As in previous years the members of the BUSA Committee will also vote on who will receive the "BUSA Special Recognition" award to complete our usual three categories of awards.
At this moment in time we are in discussions with the club to continue the practice of presenting our awards on the pitch before the last home game of the season, a game scheduled for the 26 April with Hyde United providing the opposition. We should like to carry on with our practice of a BUSA member and a Junior member being drawn from those who voted for the winning players, to accompany representatives from the BUSA committee to present the respective awards, on the pitch, on the day.
Having worked extremely well with the new owners of the football club throughout the season we are very hopeful in we will be allowed to present our awards as in previous years.
Mini Pilgrims Shirts
15/02/08
The latest mini pilgrims to receive their shirts.
Mini Pilgrims Shirts
16/02/08
It's a family affair as Sandra Richmond, one half of BUSA's travel organising duo presents her grandson with his Mini Pilgrim shirt on his tenth birthday.
09/02/08
The latest batch of tenth birthday shirts were handed out at the recent match against Telford. Congratulation go to Thomas Swain, Kimberly Ashton and Victoria Royall. All Mini Pilgrims receive a free BUFC shirt when they reach 10 years of age along with lots of other benefits for just £10 per year. Full details are available here
Graham Bean Evening
09/02/08
BUSA would like to thank all those that came out for the Graham Bean evening. It would have been nice to see a few more, but those that came raised over £300 to help the club. Thanks to you all and a very special thanks to Graham for giving us all an entertaining evening.
Christmas Party
26/12/07
A grand time was had by all at this years BUSA Christmas party. Our thanks go to everyone who made it happen.......with special thanks to Santa for finding time in his busy schedule.
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November Newsletter
03/12/07
All members should now have received the latest newsletter. It is now available online here.Kids for a Quid
07/11/07
Saturday's game against Vauxhall Motors has been designated as "Kids for a Quid". A junior can accompany an adult and pay only a pound. Tickets must be purchased in advance from the ticket office before 12.00 on matchday. After this, normal prices will apply.Mini Pilgrims Receive Shirts
14/10/07
The latest group of Mini Pilgrims to reach the grand old age of 10 received their shirts during half time at the FA cup game against Hinckley. From left to right they are Jonathan Allen, Megan Coleman, Thomas Tamberlin and Edward Jacobs. All Mini Pilgrims receive a free BUFC shirt when they reach 10 years of age along with lots of other benefits for just £10 per year. Full details are available here
Shirt Raffle
25/09/07
There will be no shirt raffle this week during the FA Cup game. The competition was only planned for league games. However, there will be some presentations to previous winners on the pitch at half time, and the competition returns next week for the home game against Worcester.
Special Offer to Kettering
25/08/07
BUSA are reducing the fares for the trip to Kettering on September 8th. Fares for all passengers will be £10 for members and £15 for non-members. Dependent on numbers, there will be two buses running.Committee Meeting Minutes
25/08/07
The BUSA committee have decided to publish the minutes of all meetings online. The link can be found on this news page, along with a copy of the programme notes form BUSA (to be added ASAP)10% Discount Confirmed
12/08/07
BUSA are pleased to announce that the club's new owners are happy to extend the 10% discount given to BUSA members at the new club shop.August 07 Newsletter
09/08/07
The first BUSA newsletter of the new season is here along with an application form to join. All members will receive a copy of the newsletter and additional copies will be available in the Sports Bar at a later date.Committee Reorganisation/Travel/Raffle
05/08/07
At the recent committee meeting on Wednesday 01/08/07, the following appointments were unanimously made. Glen Chapman is to be the new chairman of BUSA, Pat Everitt will fill the role of Vice Chairman and Barbara Singleton will act as Press Officer.
Jan announced that the travel prices can be held at the same prices as last year. Despite being in a northern league, the average mileage is very similar to last year. These prices are subject to review later in the season if the buses proves successful. The prices for all games will beNon-members £16
Adults (members) £13
Juniors (members) £10
The shirt raffle will continue this season. Owing to the short notice in ordering the shirt, the first raffle will have to unfortunately be for a shirt from last season. Even worse, it is not new, having been worn for games and scribbled on by Paul Ellender. Tickets to be on sale before the Workington game.
Resignation of Chairman
12/07/07
At our committee meeting on Tuesday evening I had the unfortunate task of announcing to those present the resignation of our chairman, Dale Allitt.
Dale had been thinking long and hard about his position for a while, having been carrying it out since BUSA’s inception over 5 years ago. With both increased business and private commitments, finding time to commit to BUSA was becoming more difficult and those of you who know Dale will know that he never likes to give less than 100%. The personal abuse Dale and his wife disappointingly received while he leading BUSA was also a major contributing factor to his decision.
The BUSA committee greeted the news with great disappointment, but significantly with absolute understanding. Dale’s commitment to the role was beyond belief at times and it is quite obvious that, to his own detriment, he took the pressure on his shoulders on many occasions in order to protect the rest of the committee. On behalf of everyone associated with BUSA, I would like to publicly thank Dale for his hard work - carried out over the years and bringing the association on from humble beginnings in the room over The Eagle to the integrity it holds today. He will be sadly missed .
In the time between receiving his letter of resignation and our meeting, Dale was hit by the devastating news that his son Matthew was involved in a serious road accident and had been hospitalised. Football and its associated facets are put into perspective in these instances and we hope that everyone will respect that Dale and his family need the privacy and space to be allowed to concentrate on making sure that Matthew makes a speedy and full recovery and will also join us in sending our best wishes to the whole Allitt family at this difficult time.
However, in typical fashion Dale still requested that now the future of the football club has been secured, BUSA should continue its mission to “Raise Funds and Support Boston United”. With this in mind, for the rest of our meeting we concentrated on immediate issues and arrangements in respect of membership, travel and resources for the club were put in place.
At our next meeting in early August BUSA will assess the best format for the committee to proceed following Dale’s departure. By early August we may also be more aware of how Chestnut Homes see the football club being managed and therefore we may re-structure accordingly to provide our best support.
Now it appears that Chestnut Homes has ensured The Pilgrims have actually reached the light at the end of the tunnel, the BUSA committee is as dedicated and determined as ever. As we approach one of the most important seasons for the club you support is really needed, possibly this year more than any other year.
If you wish to do you bit please join BUSA and we will ensure that as we “Raise Funds and Support Boston United” we will make best use of your membership money and you receive as many benefits as possible.
Applications forms are available from The Club Offices, on line at www.bufc.co.uk, www.unitedforyou.co.uk and will also be included in the newsletter, due out shortly.
Glen Chapman
Vice Chairman
Open Letter from BUSA
01/07/07The following letter has gone to Standing Alone, Jim Rodwell, Lavaflow Board Members (c/o Jim Rodwell), Pat Malkinson, Justin Rushworth, Phil Hanby, Duncan Browne (Standard) and John Blackwell.
Boston United Football Club
Boston United Supporters Association (BUSA) is an independent supporters association, formed to raise funds and support Boston United.
Since its advent we have successfully achieved this objective and have helped the club in many ways, including financial support, resources and equipment. Most importantly, support has been irrespective of who owned the football club. We are proud of our achievements to date and sincerely hope we can continue to fulfil our objective in the future.
With regard to the current position of the football club and specifically the input you have into that position, we make a heartfelt plea, on behalf of our members, past and present, the fans and well wishers of the club and those remaining staff, that any negotiations you are involved in pertinent to the future of Boston United are concluded with some urgency.
Boston United Football Club plays a large part in the lives of many people of Boston and beyond and holds a significant place in the local community. Whilst we appreciate the complicated financial situation the club is in, please be aware of how the fans feel from a football perspective - knowing that further undue delays in any ownership negotiations are likely to result in the demise of the club as we know it.
For many the prospect of having no club to support in the forthcoming seasons is incomprehensible. Please take the fans views into consideration when discussing Boston United Football Club and do not penalise us for simply wishing to support Boston United.
Finally, if you think that BUSA can provide any assistance now, or in the future, please do not hesitate to get in touch.
I look forward to hearing from you.
Thank you in anticipation.
Players opt out of BUSA meal
24/04/07
The squad have contacted BUSA and decided not to take up the offer of a pre-match meal. This is mainly because a lot of players have their own match day preparations and don't want to make a change for this game. BUSA fully understand the circumstances and will bear no grudge whatsoever as long as the lads produce the goods on Saturday! Option are being explored to offer the squad a similar gesture in the future. In the meantime, let's all get down there on Saturday and cheer the lads to a much needed win!
Wembley Trip
23/04/07
BUSA are organising a coach trip to see the League 2 play-off final at Wembley. Details to follow shortly
BUSA player of the year awards
23/04/07The annual BUSA player of the year awards are to be presented on the pitch prior to the game against Torquay. To enable the players to be totally prepared, the presentation will take place at 2.15. Awards to be presented are the Adult Members 'Player of the Season', Junior members 'Favourite Player of the Season' and the Committee's 'Special Recognition Award '
BUSA fund pre-match meal
23/04/07
BUSA are funding a pre-match meal for the players prior to the important game against Torquay this Saturday.
BUSA slash prices on coach travel
29/03/2007
Boston United Supporters Association (BUSA) was formed to ‘raise funds and support Boston United.’ The success of that objective can be measured by not only the financial donations and equipment purchases that have been provided to the club over a period of time, but also the additional support that has been provided by way of volunteer resources to assist in the ticket office, to Football in the Community and other initiatives.
As a consequence, BUSA has consistently maintained a good relationship with the club, regardless of who the owners are, and hopes to continue this arrangement in the future. Crucially, BUSA has the ability to make the fans’ views known at board level and while this representation cannot understandably always influence the decision making process at the club, supporters can be assured that their views are always put forward. BUSA chairman Dale Allitt feels now it is crucial to focus particularly on the ‘Support Boston United’ element of BUSA’s main objective. Therefore following Tuesday night’s BUSA committee meeting, Dale approached Jim Rodwell to see if there were any opportunities for a joint venture between the two organisations to encourage more supporters to both home and away matches until the end of the season.
As a result, the football club and BUSA are both happy to announce that the ‘kids for a quid’ initiative will be resurrected for the last three home matches of the season and that for the next away match at Notts County, BUSA travel costs will be reduced to just £10 per person for all categories (members, junior members and non-members).
Jim and Dale said: “We hope that these two initiatives will see an increased gate at all home matches and certainly for the next away match. It is well reported that supporters can be the 12th man and we all know how much the Pilgrims need that extra man during this difficult period. If you truly want Boston United to survive, please show your support to the lads — they really need us.
“As professional footballers, the team will be doing their best to remain focused only on the game and not the off-the-field matters, over which they have no control. Let us all do the same and put the ‘United’ back in Boston United — our future really does depend upon it.”
Dale also confirmed that if the reduced travel initiative is well supported, travel costs for the remainder of the season will also be reviewed to encourage more travellers to support the Pilgrims at their away fixtures.
BUSA coach travel to Notts County, at the reduced rate, can be purchased here.
BUSA Funds Darlington Hotel
10/02/07BUSA has stepped in to heavily contribute towards the cost of hotel accommodation for the team prior to the game at Darlington. Whilst the trip is not a long one for local based players, those that live south of Boston would have an extremely long journey.
BUSA Funds Torquay Hotel
08/12/06BUSA has stepped in to help the players prepare for the big six-pointer in Torquay. Faced with the prospect of saving the pennies by travelling down to the English Riveira on the morning of the game, BUSA has agreed to fund overnight accomodation for the team on the night before the game.
BUSA members and guests will be enjoying a festive dinner and overnight stop the following night to celebrate our victory.
Statement from BUSA
28/09/06
In light of current events, BUSA would like to point out;
1) The "no comment" reported on Radio Lincolnshire in relation to views being sought from BUSA in repect of current court proceedings was not a refusal to air a point of view. It was simply that, after legal consultations, we were advised not to express any opinion on a trial that is still ongoing.
2) Our committee representatives always listen to comments (favourable or otherwise) from fans on all issuesconnected with the club and relay those veiws to the BUFC directorsvia our representative on the board. The feelings of supporters and comments made to BUSA representatives are, as a matter of course, expressed to the directors
3) We have no financial interest or control over boardroom decisions. However, as requested by previous chairman, we have developed a dialogue link that we continue to maintain. It is one we feel is extremely valuable in our role of helping both the club and members of our association
None of the above, of course, prevents individual fans from expressing their own personal veiwpoints on any issue.
Dale Allitt
BUSA Chairman
BUSA Summer 06 Newsletter
14/09/06The latest BUSA newsletter has been sent to all members. Copies are available in the Sports Bar before the next home game or for download here
BUSA supply new nets
10/07/2006
The Staffsmart Stadium has taken delivery of new goal nets ahead of the forthcoming Coca-Cola League Two season, following kind and valued support from the Boston United Supporters Association.
BUSA chairman Dale Allitt agreed to sponsor new nets for the Staffsmart Stadium goalposts and he is pictured with defenders Mark Albrighton and Paul Ellender prior to Saturday’s friendly against Ipswich Town in the York Street end goalmouth.
The new nets are striped in amber and black, to match the Pilgrims’ new playing strip.
Club secretary John Blackwell told bufc.co.uk: “It’s a terrific gesture from Dale, the committee and the BUSA members to help the club in this way.
“Our old nets were getting beyond their best and this support from BUSA has allowed us to smarten up the appearance of the ground before the new season.”
Elsewhere, officials from BUSA have struck a special link-up deal for the benefit of members. A tie-up with the management of Creations Gym at the Geoff Moulder Leisure Complex will see BUSA members able to take advantage of gym membership, exercise classes, swimming sessions and saunas (adults £25 a month compared with the regular rates of £33).
In addition, children in the eight to 15 age range can take up supervised gym membership at £2 per hour while children under-10, accompanied by an adult, can swim for £1 a session when showing BUSA cards.
Regarding the link-up, Allitt said: “We have worked closely with David Horry, manager of Creations, over the past six months and feel this is an excellent opportunity for the people of Boston to get the best out of both organisations.”
BUSA memberships for the 2006-2007 season are now being taken either via the bufc.co.uk website or by leaving details at the Staffsmart Stadium ticket office. Membership (£10 adults and £5 juniors) entitles holders to 10 percent discount on purchases of merchandise from the club shop, regular draws for tickets to the VP Lounge and discounts on organised travel to all United’s away fixtures (this season via executive coach travel which represents an upgrade on last term).
The photograph shows Dale Allitt, David Horry, Paul Ellender and the Pilgrims’ Panther in the gym at Creations.
BUSA Player of the Year
Alan White was chosen as the BUSA player of the year for 2005-2006 and he is pictured receiving his award from BUSA member Rodney Dodds and committee member Doreen Killick.
Julian Joachim won the BUSA junior members favourite player of the year award and is photographed receiving his memento from Oliver Moore and BUSA secretary Pauline Chapman.
Club chaplain Rev John Moore was this year’s recipient of the BUSA recognition award and he was presented the accolade by BUSA vice-chairman Glen Chapman.