10th tier club ask fans to help raise funds through GoFundMe page for new stadium

10th tier club Hackney Wick FC ask fans on their social media channels to help raise funds through a GoFundMe page for a new stadium.

They tweeted along with a link to the donation site: “We have located a space to build our ground. Help us achieve this. Anything you want to donate we will happily take and our grateful for.

“We’ve already reach 0.1% of the target in a few hours 😅🙏🏿❤️ Thank you all for your contribution and support.”

So far, at the time of writing (Thursday 4th April 2024), nearly £600 has been raised, with a target set at £400,000.

The club play their football in the Eastern Counties League Division One South and sit 8th in the table with 63 points from 40 games played.

Worth noting that the photo used of a stadium design is taken from the FWP Group website.

We have located a space to build our ground. Help us achieve this. Anything you want to donate we will happily take and our grateful for https://t.co/ehZlgvaR75 pic.twitter.com/WkOo4cEu2F

— Hackney Wick FC (@HackneyWickFC) April 3, 2024

They said via their newly set up GoFundMe page: “Hackney Wick FC has been a vital part of the community for nine years, providing a safe haven and a platform for over 250 individuals each week, ranging from boys and girls to women and men aged 5 and upwards.

“Despite our unwavering commitment and the immense support we receive, there’s a significant obstacle hindering our progress – the absence of a dedicated football ground in the borough of Hackney.

“Hackney is the lone borough in London without its own football ground, denying its residents the opportunity to witness semi-professional football firsthand.

“Consequently, we’ve been compelled to groundshare, currently located 40 miles away at Witham Town FC.

“This arrangement not only deprives us of our own identity and fan base but also renders us reliant on others’ decisions, leaving us vulnerable and uncertain about our future.

“In our short history, we’ve already endured three relocations, highlighting the instability we face.

“Having our own ground is not just a dream but a necessity.

“It will not only provide us with a stable foundation to grow and thrive but also enable us to fulfill our broader mission of empowering the youth of Hackney.

“With a dedicated facility, we can expand our reach, develop more teams, and increase participation among women and girls.

“Moreover, it will serve as a sanctuary, diverting young individuals from the perils of youth violence and offering them a constructive outlet to better their life chances.

“While we’ve identified a promising piece of land in nearby Essex, the journey towards realizing our vision has just begun.

“Acquiring the land is the crucial first step, laying the groundwork for the creation of our own football ground.

“We’re reaching out to our community, appealing for your support and contributions, no matter how big or small.

“Together, let’s make this dream a reality and secure a permanent home for Hackney Wick FC – a beacon of hope and unity in our community. Join us in building a legacy that will endure for generations to come.”

Here’s how fans reacted as the 10th tier club ask fans to help raise funds through a GoFundMe page for their new stadium…

@windenergyfan95: Not in Hackney.. what’s the point?

@archieballoo: Chelsea aren’t in Chelsea, West Ham aren’t in West Ham, arsenal aren’t in Woolwich arsenal, Millwall aren’t in Millwall, Crystal Palace aren’t in Crystal Palace. What’s your point?

@HackneyWickFC: To have our own space

@VeryMilos: You may as well ask MK Dons how they fill up their stadium every weekend, oh wait they don’t… Moving away from your original area is the end of the fanbase for a long period (more than 10-15mins away is too much). Furthermore, you’re not Arsenal or West Ham 🤷

@Lee_C27: It’s moving closer than the groundshare at Witham Town. There’s a lack of grounds across London and it’s incredibly difficult to get land to build more. I’m not sure what the solution is but having fewer London football teams when London is under represented isn’t the solution.

@DifjfFjfjf: Try finding a bit of land in London cheap enough for a step 6 which isn’t already in use 🤦🏼‍♂️

@jacktg01: So the point is Hackney is the only borough in London to not have a football stadium, but the site you’ve identified is in Essex – so Hackney still won’t have a football stadium ?? You aren’t going to build a fanbase with a stadium in Essex

@SafcFan1973: I was thinking this 🤣 doesn’t really solve the problem does it? Also, unsure why a club that low down even needs their own ground? First team can groundshare. The youth teams need 4G pitches (in Hackney) 1st XI -ground share til they’re in a league that warrants a 400k spend. 🤷‍♂️

@jakejenner07: the club is very ambitious but having to travel 40 miles to groundshare is really holding us back atm. we need our own ground to generate more income.

@SafcFan1973: This plot of land mentioned is in Essex. Hardly walking distance to grow the club is it?

@Lee_C27: As great as Witham Town have been groundsharing is an expensive business and provides little income

@jakejenner07: unfortunately i think the reality is atm there is not a suitable location to build a new ground in hackney. but the club need their own ground. so this is the best solution at present.

@joe_clapton: What happend to the money of the last crowdfund that was running to build a stadium?

@RobertKasanga: There is no space in the borough and at least we will have our own space 30 minutes drive away

@CharlesWhyton: Interesting. What is the legal status of HWFC? Company, club? Who are the owners? A bit of transparency would make this more attractive.

@martyj21: There is still a ground much nearer , the old Leyton ground just off Lea Bridge Rd , probably a 20/30 minute walk from Hackney Wick. Have you looked at the possibility of getting that ground? I’d be up for crowd funding that.

@FootballIsMyRe1: Have you tried contacting Sport England?

@MT1903_: Is the new ground in Hackney? The original complaint starts around not having a ground in the Borough then goes on to stay the new ground will be in Essex…

@TumariePAdam: So Hackney doesn’t have a football ground. The residents don’t have an opportunity to see semi pro football first hand. So a stadium is being built in Essex…. 🤨

@Danny32139759: Still an embarrassment that Hackney is the only London borough without a stadium. Not 50k seater. Just a pitch, fence, club house, changing rooms and stand. Plenty of money in Hackney now days. Lots of develop etc and like per usual asking the public to help.

@Athleticnewham: Get @HackneyWickFC back home.

@lew32323: Playing out of Essex