The trustees, who are also directors for the purposes of company law, have pleasure in present their report and the financial statements for the charitable company for the period ended 30 June 2025. This incorporates the directors' report requirements of the Companies Act 2006.
The trustees have adopted the provisions of Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015).
South Shields FC Foundation is a charitable company with dual reporting to Companies House and the Charity
Commission. It is governed by its Articles of Association and trust deed.
The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year were:
Gary Crutwell
Stephen David Taylor - resigned 21/10/2025
Martin Ronald Urwin - resigned 21/10/2025
Geoff Thompson
Ernest Gibson
Day to day running of the charity is delegated to Steve Camm.
New trustees are appointed after interview and based on the skill needs of the charity at the time of appointment.
Training is ongoing.
South Shields FC Foundation is South Shields FC’s Club Community Organisation (CCO) as recognised by the
National League North, which is part of the FA football pyramid. It is also a registered charity. It’s aim is to
support the mental health and wellbeing of people living in South Tyneside and the surrounding area. Many parts
of South Tyneside and the wider North East of England sit in the worst 5% of communities as measured by
National Indices of Multiple Deprivation
Its activities are organised around the five contributing factors to mental health and wellbeing as recognised by
the NHS. These are:
1. Participating in healthy activities - we offer activities for people of all ages to participate in football, walking
football, dance, boxing and fitness. A significant part of this is a Personal, Health, Social and Economic (PSHE)
programme in schools connected to the National Curriculum;
2. Giving Something Back - we offer around 60 volunteering opportunities for people some of which are
connected to employment pathways with the Foundation and Football Club in coaching and stewarding. We also
organise and host events that raise money for local charities;
3. Learning a new Skill - we offer skills development and activities that encourage people to continue to learn,
particularly those activities that support pathways to employment for those furthest away from employment.
4. Taking Notice - we deliver a number of campaigns, some connected to Football League and Premier League
campaigns, to raise awareness and understanding of important societal issues
5. Making Friends - we deliver a number of activities that help people to stay connected, tackling social isolation
The trustees have considered the Charity Commision's guidance on public benefit, including the guidance 'public
benefit: running a charity (PB2)'
The following organisations are connected:
· SSFCF 2017 Ltd - administers on behalf of 1888 Limited
· South Shields Football Club 1888 Limited - provide management services to each other
· Harton and Westoe Miners Welfare - charges rent
These financial statements should be read alongside our Social Accounts for the financial year ended 30 June
2025. Those contain details of our activities and social impact within the community. Highlights include:
1. A PSHE Programme in 11 local schools that engages over 1000 young people each week in activities
connected to the National Curriculum including healthy activities, multi sports, literacy, numeracy and personal
and social development.
2. A Music Festival that raised £20,500 in ticket sales which was donated to local charity Cancer Connections
3. An innovative employability project for 50 young people from Epinay School, a local school for children with
Special Educational Needs. This project saw Year 11 students take responsibility for delivering retail. hospitality
and horticulture activities at football sites in a project designed to raise their skills and confidence and support
pathways to employment beyond Year 11.
4. Our two main footballing programmes, a grass roots football club and a performance hybrid academy engaged more than 300 young people aged 6-17 in weekly activities supported by a group of 50 volunteers and Foundation coaching staff.
5. Three campaigns including a presence at first team match days promoting awareness about Food Banks,
Mental Health and Show Racism the Red Card.
6. Open community participation programmes that had more than 5000 visits to participate in healthy activities in the year including a programme to ensure that those children who normally receive school meals can participate in healthy holiday activities that offer a healthy meal.
We use a Wellbeing Evaluation Methodology to assess the overall impact of our work. Since we formed in 2017
we have now passed the £40 million mark in social and community impact. That represents a social return on
investment of around £20 for every £1 we spend.
The Foundation returned another profit in 2024/25 and we are optimistic that this trend will continue.
Reserves increased by £9,379 from a deficit of £7,586 to positive funds of £1,793. The charity is seeking to grow
its reserves to a level equivalent to three months operating costs as a buffer against funding shortfalls. Funding
income interruptions are the principal risk facing the charity. There are no restricted or designated funds.
On behalf of the board of trustees
The trustees are responsible for preparing the Trustees' report and the accounts in accordance with Charities Act 2011 and United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice.
The Charities Act 2011 requires the Trustees to prepare accounts for each financial year which give a true and
fair view of its financial activities during the year and of its financial position at the end of the year. In presenting those accounts, they are required to:
- select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;
- observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP FRS 102;
- make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;
- follow applicable UK accounting standards and the Charities SORP FRS 102, disclosing and explaining any departures in the accounts; and- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to do so.
- prepare the accounts on the going concern basis unless inappropriate to do so.
The Trustees are responsible for maintaining proper accounting records that are sufficient to show and explain
the charity's transactions and disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the Charity
and to enable them to ensure that the accounts comply with the Charities Act 2011 and with the requirements of the Statement of Recommended Practice Accounting and Reporting by Charities: statement of recommended
practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102).
(effective 1 January 2015) - Charities SORP FRS102), the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS102). They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the Charity and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities besides the above responsibilities.
I report to the trustees on my examination of the accounts of the charitable company for the period ended 30 June 2025.
Since the Charitable company's gross income exceeded £250,000, your examiner must be a member of a body
listed in section 145 of the 2011 Act. I confirm that I am qualified to undertake the examination by virtue of my
membership of The Institute of Chartered Accountants in England and Wales, which is one of the listed bodies.
I have completed my examination. I confirm that no matters have come to my attention in connection with the
examination giving me cause to believe that in any material respect:
accounting records were not kept in respect of the Company as required by section 386 of the 2006 Act; or
the accounts do not accord with those records; or
the accounts do not comply with the requirements of section 396 of the 2006 Act other than any requirement that the accounts give a 'true and fair view' which is not a matter considered as part of an independent examination; or
the accounts have not been prepared in accordance with the methods and principles of the Statement of
Recommended Practice for accounting and reporting by charities applicable to charities preparing their accounts
in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102).
I have no concerns and have come across no other matters in connection with the examination to which attention should be drawn in this report in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.
Stephen Green ACA
Mullen Stoker Limited, Chartered Accountants
Mullne Stoker House
Mandale Business Park
Belmont Industrial Estate
DH1 1TH
The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account
under the Companies Act 2006.
The current and previous year figures all relate to continuing activities.
South Shields FC Foundation Limited meets the definition of a public benefit entity under FRS 102. Assets
and liabilities are initially recognised at historical cost or transaction value unless otherwise stated in the
relevant accounting policy note(s). It is an incorporated registered charity which is limited by guarantee.
The Trustees have assessed the financial viability of the Charity and have concluded that there is no reason
why the Charity will not continue operating for at least 12 months following the year ending 30th June 2025
and 12 months following the approval of the financial statements. For this reason the financial accounts have
been prepared on a going concern basis. It should be noted the the charity has the backing of 'South Shields
Football Club 1888 LImited' which is in partnership with the charity.
The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost conventionn and in accordance with
the Charities SORP (FRS 102) ‘Accounting and Reporting by Charities: Statement of Recommended
Practice applicable to charities preparing their accounts in accordance with the Financial Reporting Standard
applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2015)', Financial Reporting
Standard 102 the Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland (FRS 102), and
the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements are prepared in UK sterling rounded to the nearest
pounds.
Unrestricted funds are incoming resources receivable or generated for the furtherance of the objectives of the
Charity without a specified purpose and are available as general funds. Resources expended which meet
these criteria are charged to the funds, together with a fair allocation of staff and support costs. Restricted
funds are used for the specific purposes laid down by the donor or sponsor. Resources expended which
meet these criteria are charged to the funds.
The Charity is exempt from taxation on its charitable activities, as it is a registered charity.
Tangible fixed assets, other than freehold land, are stated at cost less depreciation. Depreciation is provided
at rates calculated to write off the cost less estimated residual value of each asset over its expected useful
life, as follows:
The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions are charged to the profit and loss
account as they become payable in accordance with the rules of the scheme.
Debtors
Debtors are recognised at the settlement amount due after allowing for any discounts and as per the terms
agreed. Prepayments are valued at the amounts prepaid for services and accrued income are valued at the
amounts due per terms agreed and there is certainty of receipt.
Income & Expenditure
Income is recognised in the period when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the income have been met, it is probable that the income will be received and that the amount can be measured reliably and is not deferred.
Income received in advance of the provision of a specified service is deferred until the criteria for income recognition are met.
Income comprises of funds received from parent donations, grants, sponsors, school income, activities days, donations, events and finders fees for academy student.
The value of services provided by volunteers has not been included.
Expenditure incurred is recognised in the period once there is a legal constructive obligation to make a payment to a third party. It is probable that settlement will be required and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably.
Other accounting policies
Cash at bank and in hand:
Cash at bank and cash in hand includes bank balance kept in current and deposit accounts.
Creditors and provisions:
Creditors and provisions are recognised where the charity has a present obligation resulting from a past event that will probably result in the transfer of funds to a third party and the amount due to settle the obligation can be measured or estimated reliably.Creditors and provision are normally recognised at their settlement amount after allowing for any discounts.
Critical accounting estimates and judgements:
There are no significant areas of judgement or key sources of estimation uncertainty arising from the preparation of accounts.
Support costs include governance costs of £1,250 (2024:£1,250) being the independent examiner's fees and depreciation of £1,251 (2024: £6,167).
None of the trustees (or any persons connected with them) received any remuneration or expenses during the
year or previous year.
The average monthly number of employees during the year was:
The following related party transactions occured during the year:
SSFCF 2017 Ltd
A management charge of £Nil (2024: £180,000) was rendered on this company. At the year end £135,188
(2024: £53,639) was owing by this company.
South Shields Football Club 1888 Limited
A management fee of £51,480 (2024: £Nil) was rendered to this company. At the year end £14,912 (2024:
£4,700) was owing by it.
Harton and Westoe Miners Welfare
Rent of £93,600 (2024: £105,999) was paid. An amount of £70,123 (2024: £Nil) was owed to this charity at
the year end.