DAFC Fund Raising Policy

In order to Save, Buy and now Keep the Pars multiple fund raising activities have been undertaken in recent months. It goes without saying that, as a community owned Club, the need for ongoing fund raising is paramount, although not on the scale we have all experienced in recent months.

In recent weeks, the source of fund raising has caused some confusion amongst a number of supporters. Therefore, to avoid any misunderstanding the interim Board has now created the following policy for future fund raising, effective as from 1 April 2014.

All future fund raising, be it bucket or can collections, or any one off events should be solely for the direct benefit of Dunfermline Athletic Football Club unless explicitly stated otherwise.

However, that does not stop any other party such as The Pars Supporters Trust, Centenary Club Lifeline, Dunfermline Athletic Supporter's Club or any supporters' group raising funds in their own name, for their specific purposes, so long as that is clearly stated on any promotional material.

In addition, the purpose of any bucket collections on match day will be communicated in advance to avoid any confusion or misunderstanding.

CONSUMER CREDIT LICENCE
Season Tickets: paying by instalments

The Interim Board has established that DAFC's former Consumer Credit Licence was allowed to lapse in season 2012/2013, and was never renewed by BDO LLP, during the period of administration.

The interim Board has carefully considered the implications of applying for a new licence to allow the Club to offer supporters the facility to pay for a season ticket, in 10 monthly instalments. The Interim Board is acutely aware that DAFC needs to make every possible effort to make attending games at East End Park as affordable as possible.

Unfortunately, the cost of applying for a Consumer Credit Licence is a significant four figure sum, and the application process is further complicated by the fact that the Office of Fair Trading, which currently regulates such licences, is transferring this responsibility to the Financial Conduct Authority. The guidance received indicates the application process could take several months, which does not assist our future planning and, furthermore, as DAFC has only recently come out of administration, there is no guarantee that the Club would obtain a new licence.

In addition, the interim Board has also considered the number of Season Tickets purchased in previous seasons, via the credit facility - in season 2012/13 the number was 35. Also, we have been conscious of the tremendous support provided to the Centenary Club Lifeline by Pars Fans to date.

So, taking all factors into account the interim Board has decided that it is not commercial at the current time, to apply for a Consumer Credit Licence, and as a result the Club will not be in a position to offer a monthly payment plan for Season Ticket purchases next season. Supporters can of course use their own credit card facilities to spread the cost, if they so wish.

The interim Board would like to apologise to any supporters who may be inconvenienced by this decision, and if any supporter is materially affected by this then we would be pleased to hear from you so we could discuss other potential options. Please contact directors@dafc.co.uk

In the interests of transparency, the Interim Board felt it was important that supporters were made aware of the full reasons for this course of action as soon as possible, in order to allow them to plan ahead.