Crowdfunding for Football Clubs
Why you should consider crowdfunding for your football team
Although the riches of the Premier League and Champions League may seem a world away from grassroots fundraising now, many football clubs across the UK were founded in the late 19th Century by what was essentially an early form of crowdfunding.
Groups of people, contributing small amounts of money or resources to get their community team started and then using the money to purchase kits, land for a pitch or even to build a stadium.
Manchester United (Newton Heath Lancashire & Yorkshire Railway Depot), Arsenal (Woolwich Royal Arsenal) and West Ham United (Thames Ironworks) were all founded by workers at a particular factory banding together in fact. Often employees funded the teams from their own pocket, with a little bit of ‘matched funding’ from their employers. It’s a simple but effective idea, and it’s still a successful solution today.
Technology and Football Clubs
In recent years, the Internet, social media and associated technology have made it much easier for groups of people with a shared interest to come together to support a cause or fundraise for football teams.
In 2007 MyFootballClub became arguably the first viral football crowdfund of the Internet generation, recruiting 50,000 football supporters from all over the world to finance the purchase of a football club.
Ebbsfleet United — at the time in 5th tier of English football, were chosen by the wisdom of the crowd (after the first 5 choices were unavailable for purchase). After the club was bought, fans were even invited to vote on decisions such as player transfers!
Crowdfunding Ideas for Your Football Club
Crowdfunding doesn’t have to be for as ambitious a goal as buying a football club though!
From community youth teams buying a new set of football kits, to Sweden’s top football clubs raising money to finance the purchase of a new player, Zohero have hosted many different kinds of crowdfund and there’ll definitely be an option to suit your club.
Here are some options to consider:
- Register your members online
- Build a new clubhouse, stand or set of dugouts
- Pay for travel costs to away matches
- Start a youth team fund
- Or even to provide funds to buy a new player!
Successful Crowdfunding Campaigns in Football
Zohero is a Swedish fundraising platform, and we’ve worked with some of the best Swedish clubs to raise money for their club.
We’ve worked with AIK, Djurgården, Hammarmby and many other famous Swedish clubs.
Below you can read about Linköpings FC, who won the Swedish women’s top division, Damallsvenskan and raised funds with Zohero to finance their Champions’ League travel.
Fundraising Focus: Linköpings FC raise 315,000kr
Start a Crowdfund for Your Football Club
If raising money and building your supporter base like these football clubs sounds like something you’d like to do too, then do get in touch. Our team will be happy to help you get started!
