The Non-League club fighting for their future

From Wembley visits to the very brink of existence

Ten years ago, Lowestoft Town were playing in the National League North, beating the likes of Stockport County before being relegated to Step 3 on goal difference.

The Trawler Boys have also played at Wembley – losing 2-1 to Kirkham and Wesham in the 2008 FA Vase final.

But as the club, geographically the most easterly in the country, approaches 140 years of existence, they find themselves in a precarious position, with significant debts jeopardising the club’s mere survival.

“Lowestoft Town FC has a proud history, and is a hugely important part of the fabric of the community of Lowestoft itself”, a recent club statement read. “As we approach our 140th year, the club is seeking to renovate our ground to match modern standards.

“We also have significant debts which have built up over the past few years, and they now threaten the very existence of the club.

“Without urgent investment, the long-term future of our proud club is in doubt. We aim to raise funds to clear as many of our existing debts as possible, and at the same time devote funds to rejuvenating our facilities for the benefit of our fans and our visitors.”

Chairman Iain Small, who has launched a GoFundMe page in the hope of raising money to help the club through this period, believes Lowestoft are one of many non-league clubs grappling with financial issues.

“I don’t think we’re alone in struggling financially – I just think we’ve been forced into going public about it,” Small says. “What I’m trying to do, aside from trying to stabilise the financial situation, is do more outreach into the community.

“Lowestoft as a town has a really strong history, but some of the most economically deprived neighbourhoods in Suffolk are in Lowestoft – 44% of children in the town live in deprivation.

“The wider community is so important, and we want to be at the centre of the community.”

On the pitch, The Trawler Boys are sinking fast and battling to arrest a decline towards Step 5 football for the first time since 2009.

Manager Rob Eagle is currently unavailable from managing and playing under FA regulations due to “an administrative issue beyond the club’s control” with the club actively in conversation with the FA, First Advantage and Suffolk FA to establish a solution.

Lowestoft have lost their last seven matches with an aggregate score of 37-1, including a 9-0 defeat away to Walthamstow, an 8-0 loss against Hashtag United at Crown Meadow and a 5-0 home defeat to Little Oakley - a club that was playing Step 7 football while Lowestoft were in Step 2.

“Due to cost cuts on player wages from last season, we now have a squad predominantly made up of talented academy players,” explains Small. “Experience counts for a lot at this level, but they are still carrying on in a professional way.”

While results can change quickly, Lowestoft’s financial problems will not be solved as easily. The club needs investment, but Small also believes it needs more people willing to help shape its future.

“We are a small board of volunteers from different backgrounds, and the club really could do with some new blood, to help guide us and participate and really drive forward the changes that we need to make,” he emphasises.

“We’re not talking about keeping the lights on next week – we’re talking about the future of the club.”

To donate to the fundraiser to help rebuild Lowestoft Town FC, visit https://www.gofundme.com/f/rebuild-lowestoft-town-football-club.