7th tier club’s board makes plea for support to help them survive during tough time

A 7th tier club’s board makes a plea for support to help them survive during what is a tough time in its history.

Tiverton Town issued a stark club statement, making clear all the issues they face, including on-pitch struggles, how weather has had an impact, financial frustration, other costs, and what can be done to help turn around their fortunes for the better.

They currently sit bottom of the Southern League – Premier South division, with 14 points from 24 games played, 16 points from safety, with some games in hand.

CLUB STATEMENT.

A message from the Board of Tiverton Town Football Club 🗞️⬇️.https://t.co/t6nYsgUfjb💛 pic.twitter.com/vluBcojYSq

— Tiverton Town FC (@tivertontownfc) February 13, 2026

CLUB STATEMENT:

This season has been incredibly tough; there is no other way to describe it. On the pitch, although most can see a young, vibrant, and local squad competing and playing some attractive football, results have not reflected performances, and we find ourselves deep in the relegation zone with time running out. Asa and Steve have our backing. We have bought into what they are trying to do, and we see the huge level of commitment and work they put in each and every day of the week.

This season’s weather has been some of the worst we, as a club, have ever experienced. Since the beginning of November, we have seen far higher levels of rain than in 2024, with November recording 209.75mm compared to 122mm the year before; December recording 218mm compared to 91.75mm the year before; and January recording 289.50mm compared to 184.25mm the year before. In January 2024, we saw only 116mm of rain, so January 2026 saw nearly three times that amount (source: www.middevonparish.co.uk). The club brought in a professional pitch maintenance contractor in November, who now looks after the pitch, supported by a valuable group of volunteers. However, the pitch has been so wet for such a prolonged period that it is nearly impossible to carry out any significant improvement work. This situation was exasperated recently when South West Water’s drainage system under the roads next to the ground backed up onto our pitch, causing serious flooding.

The effects of having only two home games since 27 October have been nothing short of devastating. The lack of revenue over the last three and a half months has been incredibly painful for the club. While we will eventually play these fixtures, games that have been moved from a Saturday to a Tuesday typically generate only around 40% of the revenue of a Saturday fixture. One example of how difficult it has been is that our home game against Hanwell in January generated less income than our travel expenses for November, December, and January combined. That is just one bill, before all of the other costs associated with running a football club.

Both our Women’s and Boys’ Under-18 sides had excellent runs in the FA Cup, which we are all very proud of. To see these sides progress further than expected was a credit to the players, management, and volunteers of each team. However, the Under-18s’ success actually cost the club thousands of pounds, with no prize money to cover this.

As a club, we are fortunate to have a Chairman and Board who contribute financially, along with some fantastic sponsors, volunteers, and supporters. However, the level of support required this season has become unviable due to the lack of home matches and the increasing costs of running the club. To that end, the club has made the decision to reduce the playing budget in an effort to support the long-term viability of the club.

We are not alone; a number of clubs are going through similar challenges. However, we decided that it was right to be transparent with supporters, volunteers, and commercial partners.

As confirmed at the end of last year, our Chairman, Ian Moorcroft, is stepping down at the end of the season, and the club welcomes expressions of interest from anybody who feels they can contribute at board level, or from any group wishing to take the club forward next season. Expressions of interest can be made to Club Secretary Viv Curtis at secretary@tivertontownfc.uk.

Finally, please support the team and the club as best you can. We have a number of home games to fit into the calendar, and if you can attend them, we would be grateful. Bring a friend, stay after the game, and get involved with some of the events we have planned. If you have a function, use the club; if you have time, offer to volunteer. If you are able to donate to the clubs finances, step forward. This club needs you.

Here’s how fans reacted as the 7th tier club’s board makes a plea for support to help them survive during tough time…

@ghop345: Such a shame man. I think if the FA care about football at all they’d help these smaller clubs and help most of them into getting 3G pitches so they can have a normal fixture schedule

@tom_ftfc: feel for the club – almost impossible rut to get out of once you’re there. grateful we have the backing we do. here’s hoping they make the necessary changes and build back stronger.

@1982Stix: I thought you were good against Uxbridge last week and unlucky to go home empty handed. I hope your pitch gets sorted soon.

@97coreymcknight: Good luck Tiverton. Lovely & friendly club with a nice ground.

@Seb25911689: we needed to go down last season so this is a good decision, we go down and rebuild and work to get a better pitch 💛🖤

Chris Bell: Sadly this is only to have been expected. We have been lucky to have the local businessmen and volunteers who have kept the club running against the weather and increasingly well funded opponents. First Tivvy game I watched was the fa cup game against Farnborough with the great result in the replay. Sadly the non league world has changed since then. Need to try and keep going and reset at the level we can afford. Must be very sad for those who have invested so much time and funding over the years. Time to stick together.

Andrew Cload: At the risk of some abuse as a Taunton fan, I wish you all well. Despite our banter on match days, I always enjoy the games, and the atmosphere. Although the less said about our performance at yours at Christmas the better. We have had our troubles recently as I am sure you’re all aware, but things seem to be picking up for us a little off the pitch. I urge you all to attend matches, buy a pie, a pint and a program. Your bar is fantastic so maybe support an event. Either way, I hope you sort this, I don’t want you to be relegated and I want to play you at least twice next year. The fixture and revenue is good for both clubs. Good luck. TTFC for ever. 😉🦚

Andy Greig: I have only been around Tivvy for 5 years but I know from experience that it’s at times like these that we all need to rally together to support the club. Forget the past, this is now! We need everyone whether they have £1 or £1000s to spend to come forward, make yourselves known . Come to the next game, buy a pint and a burger, buy a scarf every penny counts. If we all stick together we can come out the other side better and stronger. Regardless of which division we play in, we will always be Tiverton Town Football Club 🖤💛🙏❤️

Mark Layton: They should be funding the u18’s, as these are some of the best players in Devon. Maybe some of the u18’s should be given a chance in the 1st team. All you need to do is look at the results and you’ll see, Tiverton could turn this mess around by using some of the young lads, it’s not like they could do any worse than the 1st team.

Brian Baker: Guy’s I’m a Banbury United supporter and always enjoyed visiting your very friendly ground .. We have the same problem with game’s called off due to the weather.. It puts a massive strain on the budget moving forward .. Please don’t disrespect all your board member’s who like ours all volunteer there time for free trying to keep your club afloat.. Non league family…🍻🍻

Glen Harmer: Sad to read, it’s easy when things are going well but when the going gets tough shouldn’t be pointing fingers. It’s a great club with so much history stick together and fight your way out of this.

Finders Al: No one takes pleasure from hearing this news. Perfect storm for the club and hope a solution can be found. A number of years ago the club was on the brink of losing its main financer. The dependency on such a figure is precarious in a very challenging environment. In reality a reset may be what is required and the club can face it’s challenges head on. Good luck to all involved in the club and well done to the u18’s for a very successful FA Cup run and providing such positivity for the club. Sadly money talks, like it or not!!

Nev Ski: Rather than using the under 18s cup run as a financial scapegoat, Play the under 18s as the first team and be done with this season. Maybe that will be the building blocks for next season the next level down. And while we’re writing this season off, perhaps the board should fully deal with why the pitch wasn’t even right at the start of the season.

Timothy Bee: Huge respect to the Board for what they have put in to keep the club afloat – rather apt given the conditions! The inheritance of decades of underinvestement in the ground and facilities is showing. Perhaps it is time to look at a relocation to a site with multiple pitches and better drainage? The club has moved 3 times in its history. A single pitch in a flood plain is never going to offer a stable basis for our ambitions, 3g or not. There are options, the club should explore them.

Scott Wilkins: How about maybe introducing some of the u18s players to the 1st team squad. Their certainly good enough and maybe the club could save some cash by not bringing in players when they have the quality close to home. Worth looking at the lads who have done so well

Finders Al: The U18’s should be celebrated . The cost of the FA Youth Cup shouldn’t even be a topic of conversation . The costs are insignificant in the grand scheme of running the club. The success of the u18’s and the pleasure they have brought is all that needs mentioned. It’s all part and parcel of wanting to be a successful community club. Yes the pitch has been an issue and resulted in additional costs with cancelling and switching fixtures etc but these young players are an inspiration and should only be celebrated. Unfortunate to reference the u18’s in the original post but perhaps publicising other costs isn’t so palpable and would just highlight how unsustainable non league football is, especially when every player wants to be a paid semi-pro! Tough times but keep the faith and hope u18’s can support the club to end of the season . 👍