Motherwell Football Club Community Trust - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: SC406352 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: SC042588

Report of the Trustees and

Financial Statements For The Year Ended 31 August 2025

for

Motherwell Football Club Community Trust

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

1

Report of the Trustees

2

to

4

Independent Examiner's Report

5

Statement of Financial Activities

6

Statement of Financial Position

7

to

8

Notes to the Financial Statements

9

to

14

TRUSTEES

T Feely

B Caldwell

S G Harris

H Logan (resigned 2.9.25)

K O'Neill

J Sweeney (MBE)

Mrs G L Hughes (appointed 2.9.25)

REGISTERED OFFICE

Fir Park Stadium

Firpark Street

Motherwell

North Lanarkshire

ML1 2QN

REGISTERED COMPANY
NUMBER

SC406352 (Scotland)

REGISTERED CHARITY
NUMBER

SC042588

INDEPENDENT EXAMINER

Robb Ferguson Chartered Accountants

Regent Court

70 West Regent Street

Glasgow

G2 2QZ

The trustees who are also directors of the charity for the purposes of the Companies Act 2006, present their report with the financial statements of the charity for the year ended 31 August 2025. 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 Republic of Ireland (FRS 102) (effective 1 January 2019).

OBJECTIVES AND ACTIVITIES

Objectives and activities

This Community Trust's vision is to use the power of sport to motivate local people and communities to improve their lives thus bringing about significant economic, social, lifestyle and cultural gain.

This is achieved by:

- The advancement of education;

- The advancement of citizenship or community development;

- The advancement of public participation in sport;

- The provision of recreational facilities, or organisation of recreational activities, with the object of improving the conditions of life for the persons for whom the facilities or activities are primarily intended.

During the year, the trustees have continued to work towards these objectives by delivering affordable, accessible and free activity for young people, providing free meals during school holiday periods and over winter for older citizens. These activities have been carried out further the charity's purpose for the public benefit.

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by OSCR in deciding what activities the trust should undertake.

ACHIEVEMENTS AND PERFORMANCE

Projects & Programmes

The Community Trust has delivered a broad range of projects addressing physical health, mental health and social topics. Programmes have included SAMH "The Changing Room", Scottish Football Association initiatives and work with older generations.

Over the course of the year, Motherwell FC Community Trust has achieved significant progress in several areas:

- Delivered the Scottish FA's "Extra Time" programme to local school children

- Delivered a social return on investment of £13.64m for the local area.

- Delivered a comprehensive holiday hunger programme

These achievements have enabled the charity to cement its place as a key community organisation in Lanarkshire and one of Scotland's top football club trusts.

Partners

We continue to work closely with partners in both North and South Lanarkshire to use the power of football to change lives for the better. We have excellent support from the Scottish Football Association, North Lanarkshire Council, other football clubs as well as wide range of local and national organisations.

Strong Workforce

The Community Trusts invest in the development of staff and volunteers with a broad range of sport-specific and generic courses undertaken. All staff undertake mandatory training in first aid, child protection and suicide prevention. Each member of staff has a personal allowance for training and development each year.

FINANCIAL REVIEW

Financial position

The incoming resources for the year amounted to £380,087 (2024: £349,111). The significant decrease is due mainly to the additional grant funds obtained in the prior year for the regeneration of the astroturf pitch.

Resources expended amounted to £337,938 (2024: £368,253) resulting in a net surplus of £42,149 (2024: deficit of £19,142)

The principal income streams were from grants and youth football donations. The costs of providing youth football development and community teams are met by donations received.

Reserves policy

The directors aim to have reserves in place to cover cash commitments of grant funded courses of up to 3 months given that most projects are funded by grant giving bodies after costs have been incurred by the Community Trust.

At the year-end total reserves were £526,469 (2024: £484,320) of which £281,979 (2024: £375,476) were restricted and £244,490 (2024: £108,844) were unrestricted.

Of the reserves stated above £314,292 of the total reserves are made of tangible fixed assets (£59,202 unrestricted & £255,090 restricted).

Going concern

The Community Trust has reviewed its current and future financial position and the Trustees are confident that it has sufficient headroom to meet its forecast cash requirements and that the Trust will continue in operational existence for the next 12 months. As such, the Trustees consider it appropriate to continue to prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis.

FUTURE PLANS

Looking ahead, the trustees plan to expand mental health programmes, widen opportunities for more people to participate and continue the heat hub and holiday hunger work, with a new focus on supporting parents back into the workforce.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The charity is controlled by its governing document, a deed of trust, and constitutes a limited company, limited by guarantee, as defined by the Companies Act 2006.

Charity constitution

Motherwell Football Club Community Trust (Charity Number: SCO42588) is a company limited by guarantee which was incorporated on 30th August 2011. The company was established under a Memorandum of Association which established the objectives and powers of the charitable company and is governed by its Articles of Association.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

The board composition seeks to reflect the different stakeholders and environment in which the Commuinity Trust operates. The trust therefore appoints directors based on skills that they can bring to the organisation whilst maintaining the cross representation of the board following nomination by the officers of the Trust or other directors.

Organisational structure

The current board of trustees is comprised of Individuals who have held senior executive roles in the financial services, sport, health, education and football sectors. All are able to make a significant contribution to help achieving the aims of the Community Trust. If the Community Trust was required to appoint new or additional directors, we would seek to identify individuals, who would compliment existing skill sets, with relevant experience in a related sector or role.The Chair, Community Trust Chief Executive and existing trustees would be responsible for identifying and interviewing suitable candidates.

None of the trustees have any beneficial interest n the company. All of the trustees are members of the company and guarantee to contribute £1 in the event of a winding up.

The major risk to which Motherwell Football Club Community Trust is exposed is failing to secure the projected voluntary income required to operate the trust.

Risk management

The trustees have a duty to identify and review the risks to which the charity is exposed and to ensure appropriate controls are in place to provide reasonable assurance against fraud and error.

The trustees have conducted a review of the major risks to which the charity is exposed and have implemented procedures to manage those risks. These include reduction in grant funding and key staff leaving.

Approved by order of the board of trustees on 5 May 2026 and signed on its behalf by:

B Caldwell - Trustee

I report on the accounts for the year ended 31 August 2025 set out on pages six to fourteen.

Respective responsibilities of trustees and examiner

The charity's trustees are responsible for the preparation of the accounts in accordance with the terms of the Charities and Trustee Investment (Scotland) Act 2005 and the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006 (as amended). The charity's trustees consider that the audit requirement of Regulation 10(1)(a) to (c) of the Accounts Regulations does not apply. It is my responsibility to examine the accounts as required under Section 44(1)(c) of the Act and to state whether particular matters have come to my attention.

Basis of the independent examiner's report

My examination was carried out in accordance with Regulation 11 of the Charities Accounts (Scotland) Regulations 2006. An examination includes a review of the accounting records kept by the charity and a comparison of the accounts presented with those records. It also includes consideration of any unusual items or disclosures in the accounts, and seeking explanations from you as trustees concerning any such matters. The procedures undertaken do not provide all the evidence that would be required in an audit, and consequently I do not express an audit opinion on the view given by the accounts.

Independent examiner's statement

In connection with my examination, no matter has come to my attention :

(1)	which gives me reasonable cause to believe that, in any material respect, the requirements

-	to keep accounting records in accordance with Section 44(1)(a) of the 2005 Act and Regulation 4 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations; and

-	to prepare accounts which accord with the accounting records and to comply with Regulation 8 of the 2006 Accounts Regulations

have not been met; or

(2)	to which, in my opinion, attention should be drawn in order to enable a proper understanding of the accounts to be reached.

Andrew Logan CA

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of Scotland

Robb Ferguson Chartered Accountants

Regent Court

70 West Regent Street

Glasgow

G2 2QZ

5 May 2026

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

121,929

-

121,929

94,244

Charitable activities

General

3,150

146,664

149,814

150,071

Other trading activities

2

90,207

-

90,207

92,328

Other income

18,137

-

18,137

12,468

Total

233,423

146,664

380,087

349,111

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

General

97,778

240,160

337,938

368,253

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

135,645

(93,496

)

42,149

(19,142

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

108,845

375,475

484,320

503,462

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

244,490

281,979

526,469

484,320

2025

2024

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

7

59,202

255,090

314,292

352,913

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

8

7,024

26,890

33,914

6,172

Cash at bank and in hand

239,640

-

239,640

200,087

246,664

26,890

273,554

206,259

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

9

(61,377

)

-

(61,377

)

(74,852

)

NET CURRENT ASSETS

185,287

26,890

212,177

131,407

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT
LIABILITIES

244,489

281,980

526,469

484,320

NET ASSETS

244,489

281,980

526,469

484,320

FUNDS

10

Unrestricted funds

244,489

108,845

Restricted funds

281,980

375,475

TOTAL FUNDS

526,469

484,320

The charitable company is entitled to exemption from audit under Section 477 of the Companies Act 2006 for the year ended 31 August 2025.

The members have not required the company to obtain an audit of its financial statements for the year ended 31 August 2025 in accordance with Section 476 of the Companies Act 2006.

The trustees acknowledge their responsibilities for

(a)	ensuring that the charitable company keeps accounting records that comply with Sections 386 and 387 of the Companies Act 2006 and

(b)

preparing financial statements which give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company as at the end of each financial year and of its surplus or deficit for each financial year in accordance with the requirements of Sections 394 and 395 and which otherwise comply with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006 relating to financial statements, so far as applicable to the charitable company.

These financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the provisions applicable to charitable companies subject to the small companies regime.

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 5 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

B Caldwell - Trustee

1.	ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Basis of preparing the financial statements

The financial statements of the charitable company, which is a public benefit entity under FRS 102, have been prepared 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 2019)', Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland' and the Companies Act 2006. The financial statements have been prepared under the historical cost convention.

Income

All income is recognised in the Statement of Financial Activities once the charity has entitlement to the funds, it is probable that the income will be received and the amount can be measured reliably.

Expenditure

Liabilities are recognised as expenditure as soon as there is a legal or constructive obligation committing the charity to that expenditure, it is probable that a transfer of economic benefits will be required in settlement and the amount of the obligation can be measured reliably. Expenditure is accounted for on an accruals basis and has been classified under headings that aggregate all cost related to the category. Where costs cannot be directly attributed to particular headings they have been allocated to activities on a basis consistent with the use of resources.

Tangible fixed assets

Depreciation is provided at the following annual rates in order to write off each asset over its estimated useful life.

Astroturf pitch

-

10% on cost

Plant and machinery

-

20% on reducing balance

Fixtures and fittings

-

10% on cost

Taxation

The charity is exempt from corporation tax on its charitable activities.

Fund accounting

Unrestricted funds can be used in accordance with the charitable objectives at the discretion of the trustees.

Restricted funds can only be used for particular restricted purposes within the objects of the charity. Restrictions arise when specified by the donor or when funds are raised for particular restricted purposes.

Further explanation of the nature and purpose of each fund is included in the notes to the financial statements.

Hire purchase and leasing commitments

Rentals paid under operating leases are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities on a straight line basis over the period of the lease.

Pension costs and other post-retirement benefits

The charitable company operates a defined contribution pension scheme. Contributions payable to the charitable company's pension scheme are charged to the Statement of Financial Activities in the period to which they relate.

2.	OTHER TRADING ACTIVITIES

2025

2024

£

Football Course Income

83,325

86,628

Fundraising

6,882

5,700

90,207

92,328

3.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

Net income/(expenditure) is stated after charging/(crediting):

2025

2024

£

Depreciation - owned assets

50,511

45,461

Hire of plant and machinery

6,207

2,040

Other operating leases

1,346

1,749

4.	TRUSTEES' REMUNERATION AND BENEFITS

There were no trustees' remuneration or other benefits for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

Trustees' expenses

There were no trustees' expenses paid for the year ended 31 August 2025 nor for the year ended 31 August 2024.

5.	STAFF COSTS

The average monthly number of employees during the year was as follows:

2025

2024

Staff

6

8

No employees received emoluments in excess of £60,000.

The employees of the charity are paid by Motherwell Football Club and all their costs are recharged to the charity each month.

6.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

94,244

-

94,244

Charitable activities

General

-

150,071

Other trading activities

92,328

-

92,328

Other income

12,468

-

12,468

Total

199,040

150,071

349,111

EXPENDITURE ON

Charitable activities

General

258,714

109,539

368,253

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(59,674

)

40,532

(19,142

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

168,518

334,944

503,462

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

108,844

375,476

484,320

7.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Fixtures

Astroturf

Plant and

and

Computer

pitch

machinery

fittings

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 September 2024

315,418

8,010

169,836

-

493,264

Additions

-

1,890

9,165

835

11,890

At 31 August 2025

315,418

9,900

179,001

835

505,154

DEPRECIATION

At 1 September 2024

63,084

2,884

74,383

-

140,351

Charge for year

31,542

1,135

17,785

49

50,511

At 31 August 2025

94,626

4,019

92,168

49

190,862

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 August 2025

220,792

5,881

86,833

786

314,292

At 31 August 2024

252,334

5,126

95,453

-

352,913

8.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Trade debtors

33,914

6,172

9.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

2025

2024

£

Social security and other taxes

1,712

4,656

MFC - loan

53,173

57,062

Accrued expenses

6,492

13,134

61,377

74,852

10.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.24

in funds

31.8.25

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

108,845

135,644

244,489

Restricted funds

Scottish Football Partnership

7,633

(1,091

)

6,542

SFA

187,527

(64,705

)

122,822

NLC

5,000

(5,000

)

-

Capital Regeneration

147,383

(18,423

)

128,960

The Scottish Children's Lottery Trust

1,350

(1,350

)

-

NLC - Regeneration Capital Grant Fund

26,582

(2,926

)

23,656

375,475

(93,495

)

281,980

TOTAL FUNDS

484,320

42,149

526,469

Net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

233,423

(97,779

)

135,644

Restricted funds

Scottish Football Partnership

-

(1,091

)

(1,091

)

SFA

127,881

(192,586

)

(64,705

)

NLC

4,900

(9,900

)

(5,000

)

Capital Regeneration

-

(18,423

)

(18,423

)

The Scottish Children's Lottery Trust

-

(1,350

)

(1,350

)

NLC - Regeneration Capital Grant Fund

-

(2,926

)

(2,926

)

UEFA Foundation

11,483

(11,483

)

-

SAMH

2,400

(2,400

)

-

146,664

(240,159

)

(93,495

)

TOTAL FUNDS

380,087

(337,938

)

42,149

Comparatives for movement in funds

Net

movement

At

At 1.9.23

in funds

31.8.24

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

168,518

(59,673

)

108,845

Restricted funds

Scottish Football Partnership

8,724

(1,091

)

7,633

SFA

154,884

32,643

187,527

SPFL Trust

5,530

(5,530

)

-

NLC

-

5,000

Capital Regeneration

165,806

(18,423

)

147,383

The Scottish Children's Lottery Trust

-

1,350

NLC - Regeneration Capital Grant Fund

-

26,582

334,944

40,531

375,475

TOTAL FUNDS

503,462

(19,142

)

484,320

Comparative net movement in funds, included in the above are as follows:

Incoming

Resources

Movement

resources

expended

in funds

£

Unrestricted funds

General fund

199,040

(258,713

)

(59,673

)

Restricted funds

Scottish Football Partnership

-

(1,091

)

(1,091

)

Cash for Kids

5,127

(5,127

)

-

SFA

103,329

(70,686

)

32,643

SPFL Trust

-

(5,530

)

(5,530

)

S.F.P. Fitba First

1,000

(1,000

)

-

NLC

10,000

(5,000

)

5,000

Capital Regeneration

-

(18,423

)

(18,423

)

The Scottish Children's Lottery Trust

1,350

-

1,350

NLC - Regeneration Capital Grant Fund

29,265

(2,683

)

26,582

150,071

(109,540

)

40,531

TOTAL FUNDS

349,111

(368,253

)

(19,142

)

11.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

At the year end, the company owed £53,173 (2024: £57,062) to Motherwell Football Club. There is no set repayment date for this balance.