The Russell Martin Foundation - Charities report

REGISTERED COMPANY NUMBER: 10473815 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY NUMBER: 1174134

Report of the Trustees and

Audited Financial Statements for the Year Ended 31 August 2025

for

The Russell Martin Foundation

(A Company Limited by Guarantee)

Page

Reference and Administrative Details

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Report of the Trustees

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16

Report of the Independent Auditors

17

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20

Statement of Financial Activities

21

Balance Sheet

22

Cash Flow Statement

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Notes to the Cash Flow Statement

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Notes to the Financial Statements

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39

TRUSTEES

R K A Martin

N Young (resigned 30.5.25)

A H Batchelor

K Watson

R Bradford

K Mercer

J Burt

J Martin (appointed 28.10.24)

L C May (appointed 29.1.25)

R Shaw (appointed 6.6.25) (resigned 3.11.25)

REGISTERED OFFICE

Bank House

Southwick Square

Southwick

West Sussex

BN42 4FN

REGISTERED COMPANY

NUMBER

10473815 (England and Wales)

REGISTERED CHARITY

NUMBER

1174134

INDEPENDENT AUDITORS

West & Berry Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

Nile House

Nile Street

Brighton

East Sussex

BN1 1HW

CEO

Alan Sanders

ACCOUNTANTS

Style and Silver

Bank House

Southwick Square

Southwick

West Sussex

BN42 4FN

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 aims

The charity's objects are for the benefit of the public generally, both in the UK and overseas and, in particular, the inhabitants of Brighton, East Sussex and its surrounding areas:

- to promote community participation in healthy recreation by providing facilities for the playing of association football and other sports capable of improving health (facilities in this means land, buildings, equipment and organising activities);

- to advance the education (including academic, social and physical education) of such people through such charitable means as the Trustees think fit;

- to encourage children and young people to participate in the game of association football, other leisure-time activities and educational activities so that they might grow to maturity as individuals and members of society and so that their conditions of life may be improved;

- for the general purposes of such charitable bodies or for such other exclusively charitable purposes in each case as the Trustees may from time to time decide.

Our Vision - For our local community to prosper.

Our Mission Statement -

Using the power of football to empower individuals to improve their lives and their environment.

Our Values - Opportunity Inclusivity Quality Sustainability

For more details, please vist our website at www.russellmartinfoundation.co.uk

Aims and significant activities

The Russell Martin Foundation is a non-profit organisation based in Brighton & Hove which uses the power of football to help change people's lives. It was set up by professional footballer Russell Martin who wanted to give something back to the city where he was born.

Public benefit

The trustees have paid due regard to guidance issued by the Charity Commission in deciding what activities the charity should undertake. In particular, the trustees consider how planned activities will contribute to the aims and objectives they have set.

STRATEGIC REPORT

Achievements and performance

Message from Russell Martin, Founder and Chair of the Board of Trustees

2024-25 was a year of reflection and review for our foundation as we completed the final year of our three-year strategy 2022-25. The activities delivered by RMF broadened in depth and geographical reach, as we responded to the ever growing needs of our community and provided support to some of the most disadvantaged and vulnerable in Sussex.

On the educational front, we increased our positive impact across the region through our Extra Time Projects centres, engaging and supporting disengaged pupils and their families and tackling a range of social issues. We tracked pupils in our primary to secondary school transition programmes to measure how they engaged with their new schools. Feedback from pupils, parents and schoolteachers reported a rise in confidence and increased attendance across the great majority of cases. Similarly with our secondary alternative provision, progress was noted across the board, both in terms of academic engagement and improved social behaviours. Our relationships with the vulnerable young people referred to us also identified adult education needs in their family, and this led to us offer a range of courses designed to improve employability and skills amongst parents. All key targets were met or exceeded, and the effort put in by our education staff was highly praised by our community partners.

Our disability and inclusion section continued to make a huge difference in the lives of disabled children and adults in Sussex, supporting them to take part in football/sports and associated social initiatives. The increased confidence visible among participants attending our sessions was truly heartening, and this was reinforced by praise from teachers, parents and family members.

Our health and wellbeing activities took off thanks to the extended reach of our educational programmes. We gave the vulnerable children attending our ETP centres advice and support around smoking, alcohol and drugs, encouraging healthy lifestyle messages which they were able to share with their peers and their families. Also, as part of our alternative provision, we were able to measure the social and emotional progress of the pupils referred to us. Thanks to this careful monitoring we were able to spot any health and wellbeing issues adversely affecting the pupils or their family. By building trusted relationships via education activities, we initiated new health and wellbeing projects, and were able to guide and signpost individuals to specialist health organisations as appropriate.

Our football and sports participation programmes continued to attract young players of all abilities and ages from 4 to 19. We maintained a broad range of opportunities allowing individuals to learn, build confidence, develop skills and generally improve their health and wellbeing. While our overall participation numbers stabilised during 2024-25, this has encouraged us to look to secure new grants so we can increase the number of participants going forward. We aim to increase free or reduced rate places by 20% to support families who are facing growing economic pressure. Through the low cost letting of our 3G facility at Hove Park we continue to offer accessible opportunities to adults of all levels so they may continue to play and enjoy the sport.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank our amazing staff, our supportive trustees, our valued community partners and generous funders and sponsors. The whole team at RMF continues to embrace their work with ambition, enthusiasm, and shared commitment for growth and improvement of all our projects. We are excited about the future and the possibilities it holds for RMF, and we can't wait to share our journey with you.

Message from Alan Sanders CEO

2024-25 was another successful year for RMF as we continued to deliver a wide range of provision for the local community.

We were particularly pleased with two key areas. Firstly, that we established a successful health improvement department which has helped us give more rounded support to particularly low income families. Secondly, that we diversified our income streams by concentrating more on commercial sponsorship and fundraising activities. This has given the charity much more flexibility with regard to delivery and also puts us in touch with more partners within the private sector that are likely to want to sponsor RMF when we get our new move into the new stadium at Old Barn Way.

There were of course many other highlights including our football tournaments, our partnership with the Professional Football Association and the variety of provision we were able to offer local children through respite alternative provision

Unfortunately, the development of Old Barn Way has taken a lot more time to get underway than previously expected, but we are confident that this will be available for use by September 2027.

There are other areas during 2024-25 that caused challenges for RMF. We had to close our Hove artificial pitch in June due to the carpet being unfit to play on. This was a because usage by the local community had been much greater than anticipated. The result was that we were not able to open the facility again before the end of our financial year and this had a significant impact on the charity's income. In addition, we have not been able to increase free places for football courses as much as we would have liked to due to financial restraints, but we intend to rectify this during 2025-26.

However, overall, we were delighted with the support we were able to give to the local community and are aware that this would not be possible without the fantastic support we received from local partners.

COMMUNITY SUPPORT

The Russell Martin Foundation relies on the support and generosity of its local community to deliver its mission and achieve its charitable aims. Every year many individuals and organisations are pivotal in helping us to continue our crucial work across Sussex, reaching and supporting individuals and groups in need, including those who are amongst the most marginalised and disadvantaged in our region.

INSPIRATIONAL FUNDRAISING

In 2024-25 RMF's Fundraising Team aided by volunteers of all ages went above and beyond to raise monies to support our community projects . Together we organised a wide range of events, from the fun to the super-challenging. RMF did not employ any professional fundraisers, however all our fund-raising activities were run according to the guidance from the Fundraising Regulator's Code. We are extremely grateful to everyone who gave up their time, planned events, collected sponsors or who donated, including via the following initiatives:

Brighton Half Marathon 2025 - Alan Sanders

1000 Miles Canoe Along Yukon River - Meriel Davis

Ultra MMA (Mixed Martial Arts) Event- Harry Peposhi

21 Mile Swim - Kim Hammond

3,000km Solo Cycle Across Japan -Harry Bradford

Sky Dive - Connor Cox

Legends Charity Football Match - Southampton Football Club

GENEROUS COMMUNITY SPONSORS

Our Community Partners team tirelessly attended local events, gave talks and reached out to local business who have generously sponsored our projects or mentored our young people over the past year. This has not only contributed vital funds to continue key charitable projects, but importantly it has allowed us to network with other organisations, engage with new supporters and extend our reach across our community. A huge thank you to our all our 2024-25 sponsors.

LOCAL PARTNERSHIPS

RMF programmes, activities and projects operate mainly as a result of the vision and supportive teamwork of many local organisations and network of colleagues across Sussex, including over 40 schools and colleges, councils, partner charities, mentors, health care professionals, social services, probation services and local police. We thank every single one of you for your passionate commitment to our projects and for entrusting RMF to work closely with you so we can all help our community to prosper.

GRANTS

Throughout the year our grants team worked hard to secure additional funding from grants. Our heartfelt thanks on behalf of all the beneficiaries, the young people and their families, who we have been able support as a direct result of crucial funding from generous charitable trusts, foundations and local council support. These have included:

Active Sussex

Bedgebury Foundation

BNI Foundation

Brighton & Hove City Council

Charlton Athletic Community Trust

Crawley Youth Centre

Garfield Weston

Peer Power Youth

Professional Players Association

Sussex Community Trust

Tesco

West Sussex County Council

Worthing Borough Council

The broad range of community support has not only ensured that RMF are able to continue to offer our help to those in greatest need in across our communities, but it has also allowed us to develop new initiatives and set up additional services as we strive to adapt to the ever greater and more complex needs of the residents in our region.

Finally, our thanks to all our staff who work tirelessly, building relationships and trust amongst the most vulnerable in our community, and without whom our initiatives would not have the huge and lasting positive impact that they have on people's lives.

HOW YOU CAN GET INVOLVED

If you are inspired to help us to deliver our charitable aims, whether it is by sponsoring, fundraising, mentoring, donating or partnering with us, we would love to hear from you and discuss your ideas.

Please get in touch via info@rmfoundation.co.uk

CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

Football

Russell Martin Academy

The Foundation's football programmes under the banner of Russell Martin Academy (RMA) empower young people age 4-19 with fun and progressive activities that are carefully structured to develop ability, self -confidence and teamwork as well as opening pathways both on and off the pitch.

In 2024-25 RMA ran at over 70% capacity for its sessions across all venues throughout the year.

Sessions and activities included:

- Invite-Only Centres. These focused on identifying talented players to train in groups, rather than being open to all grassroots players wishing to participate in football.

- Our RMA Centres, (BACA, Burgess Hill, Shoreham Academy and Hove Park) were all popular, Hove Park and Burgess Hill were operating at near capacity throughout the year.

- RMA Tournaments were very successful with an increase in participation from the 2024 tournaments.

- Trips and Tours. This year we took four squads to the Barcelona Football Festival. This was a very successful tour which generated a lot of interest. RMA came out victorious in the 2015 and 2013 age groups and gained place in the 2011 group.

- Saturday Morning Soccer (Hove Park). This was very successful with the 5-7 year old group being just below full capacity, and the 8-11 year old group running at 80% throughout the year.

- Fixtures Programme - this has been widened to include more game time for young people. It includes the RMA Play Series for our Development Centre groups, as well as fixtures during each school holiday break, including a trip to Norwich for the Canary Cup.

- Schools Provision - we have seen an increase in the services we provide our current schools, working closely with their school teams and also creating Girls' Only after school clubs.

- Social Football - this includes birthday parties which saw a sharp increase in demand. Funds raised are used to support our outreach and inclusive programmes at introductory level.

BACA Football Academy

September 2024 saw the start of our partnership with Brighton Aldridge Community Academy (BACA). RMA provided a new football education programme for year 7-11 students, both boys and girls, with a view to developing a Key Stage 5 (Sixth Form) programme in 2025 -26. This model is unique in Sussex outside of private education. Early successes included the promotion from one of the boys' year groups in the very first year. This has encouraged higher calibre players to apply to the school and generally strengthened the intake of new Year 7 applicants for the 2025 -26 academic year.

In addition to financial reimbursement this partnership also allows RMA the use of the school's excellent facilities to run extra-curricular RMA sessions throughout the season.

Post 16 Programmes

Newman College

The Newman College partnership was a 1 year agreement during which we recruited a lot of players from RMA programmes into the college. RMA x Newman ended the 2024 -25 season as National Champions, winning the Sussex Schools U19 National Cup at Stoke City's ground.

Shoreham Academy

We completed our third year at Shoreham Academy with our First XI finishing fourth in their league, their highest position for many years. We also had the highest student attendance on our training sessions, and the numbers of individuals enrolled on the course increased. As a result, we have secured an extension to our original contract with Shoreham Academy.

We continue to operate a very good pathway for students seeking part time work, and many now go into full time contracted work with us. We employ students from our Post 16 programmes in various capacities as RMA Development Centre coaches, helping to look after facilities at Hove Park, staffing our tournaments, and supporting us to run our After School Clubs and Holiday Courses.

Education

Key Stage 3

We continued to deliver our very successful respite alternative provision programme, the Extra Time Project (ETP) supporting 11-14 year old students at our centres in Brighton, Crawley and Worthing.

Our education department develops the programme in response to schools' requirements and individual student needs. In 2024-25 we included life based Maths skills, and social impact and emotional literacy as part of our English curriculum. Our Science curriculum was extended to incorporate stem science activities as well as environmental science, and students had the opportunity to develop their thinking and complete lessons around making sites greener and exploring the impact that litter and recycling have on our wider community.

Our young people were supported to complete daily goal setting and reflection sessions. All students had the opportunity to take part in PHSE lessons linked to current social issues and concerns. Together we discussed cessation, smoking, knife crime and relationships. And we ran boy's groups tackling misogyny and girls groups focussing on body image. Talks were backed up by visits from key speakers from Sussex Police, All Sorts, the Red Cross and other organisations.

In 2024-25 our ETP centres started a new bespoke package service for students who require more specific support. Students receive 1 to 1 mentoring, and take part in lessons that are created around their specific needs and their interests. Support can also include targeted work on behaviour that challenges, emotional regulation and understanding self, or further academic support if required.

We received external recognition with an Outstanding Provision award 2025 from Super Kind for our social impact lessons and activities, and we also gained an award from Marine Conservation.

Key Stage 4

Our ETP provision for Key Stage 4 (ages 14-16) continued, aiming at students who are unlikely to obtain many GCSE's.

In addition to the Sports Leadership Level 1 qualification which has been giving children valuable life skills around health and fitness education, as well as completing their qualifications, we expanded our provision with courses in mental health, assertive living and career development. Students were given the opportunity to further develop their knowledge and complete certified courses in each area, giving them a better chance of future employment and progression to Further Education courses.

The programme also gives students guidance on who to apply to Further Education, and it develops their CV writing and communication skills. It also gives them the opportunity to complete homework and provides support with Maths and English if required.

Adult Education

RMF delivered a Multiply funded financial resilience programme to support local families during the cost of living crisis. The programme was delivered through three food banks across Brighton and Hove, and extended into Worthing. A total of 60 families received practical training on household budgeting, managing bills, and building confidence around money. Each family also received a £20 food voucher, access to simple budgeting resources, and online tools to continue their learning beyond the sessions.

We delivered a Level 3 Coaching & Mentoring qualification to 10 adults who wanted to improve their sports coaching and mentoring skills. The programme focused on raising the standard of coaching for young people in our community, while also creating pathways into volunteering and paid roles within RMF. Several participants progressed into active volunteer roles, strengthening our workforce from within the community.

Alongside formal qualifications, we provided additional pathway support for parents connected to RMF's education programmes for young people. This included signposting to further education, volunteering, and employment opportunities, ensuring a more holistic, family centred approach that supports both young people and the adults around them.

Health Improvement

RMF have continued to deliver diversionary programmes aimed at health improvement in Crawley, commissioned by Crawley Council, with Violence Reduction Partnership funds. ·Through a programme of football and boxing we engaged with young people at crime hotspots, provided mentoring and raised awareness of the dangers of drug and alcohol and drug use. We also provided meals for vulnerable children who may not have access to healthy food over the summer holidays, this further enhances our relationship and trust with these young people, often considered hard to reach by professionals. This led to protective factors such as signposting to other agencies and referrals being made to social services. Nuffield Health have been supporting our work with disadvantaged students attending our Extra Time Project centre in Crawley, offering boxing lessons and PE sessions.

Response from the children was incredibly positive as was the feedback from the council and partner agencies Crawley Town FC and Crawley Youth Boxing Club.

Our collaboration with other agencies increased this year. A contract worth £30K was obtained to deliver Sexual Health advice to children and young people in West Sussex. Our work with Feelgood Factory in Worthing focused on improving mental and physical health of members of the community. Additionally, we provided opportunities for socialising and mentoring, all of which have reportedly reduced loneliness of attendees. We have received funding from Sport England to develop our Boxercise and mentoring programme in Crawley. Our referral numbers were so high we had a waiting list of children wanting to attend.

We utilised the skills of our ex professional footballers to support our health and education programmes and messages. From their delivery of sessions, raising awareness and fund raising and active engagement in the community we are proud of the impact they have had.

Other Projects

Rehabilitation for Offenders

In 2024-25 RMF continued to support adults to reintegrate into the community on completion of their sentences in prisons. This Probation Service contract was facilitated via Charlton Athletic Community Trust and funded by English Football League (EFL). It included mentoring to build offenders' confidence and aspirations, helping them seek employment and volunteering opportunities, and increasing community cohesion. Within this period the complexity of needs increased within the cohort, as did the overall number of adults supported.

We continued to provide mentoring sessions for children at secure accommodation settings at Swanwick Secure Lodge (Southampton) and Oasis Restore Secure School (Medway), Lansdown, East Sussex. The programme helped to improve children's mental health and improved their life chances by raising aspirations.

We also delivered mentoring sessions for children aged 14 -17 within Youth Offenders Institutes at Cookham Wood, ISIS and Feltham, providing short term goal setting for boys who have received long term or life sentences, raising aspirations and building resilience.

Young people placed at HM Prisons Feltham, Belmarsh and Brixton also benefited from mentoring sessions delivered by RMF. These covered opportunities within the prison system, as well as longer term goal setting and improvement of their mental health.

RMF's Charlie Oatway led motivational talks for West Sussex County Council's whole children's residential staff department.

Charlie also provided training for Peer Power Youth Advocacy charity in London, training new staff around building trust and engagement with vulnerable young people who are presenting a significant risk and often placed in secure or prison settings.

The young people have given RMF very positive feedback following the sessions: including: "I loved working with Charlie and Gerry, and can't wait for them to return. They got me". And "Charlie was so honest and made me think about my actions and what opportunities I might have when I get out".

Working with Professional Football Clubs

Our contract commissioned by the Professional Football Association (PFA) continued in 2024-25. RMF's ex professional footballer Charlie Oatway visited young players at Under 21 level at professional football clubs to deliver mentoring and guidance.

He covered the pitfalls of professional football, raising awareness of mental health and signposting the educational support available through the PFA.

Case Study

Extra Time Project

We were referred a young person to attend our ETP centre who was disengaged with school and showed dysregulated behaviours including aggression and inappropriate sexual language.

The young person was unable to communicate without using inappropriate language, and he therefore found developing relationships with staff and his peers very difficult. He had previously been excluded from mainstream school, but had not been accepted on other alternative provisions schemes.

We created a bespoke package around the young person's passions and healthy relationships. Pupil Voice activities demonstrated to our staff that he had the ability to communicate and to use language more appropriately. With our support, the young person started to engage well and to develop good relationships with staff and his peers. He was happy to have a secure placement at our ETP centre, and he felt valued for who he is.

We have maintained close connections with the young person's referring agency and with his home, both of which have conveyed very positive feedback, confirming that they have seen significant improvements in his communication and relationships since he attended ETP.

Facility Management - Hove Park

During 2024-25 the Hove Park 3G pitch continued to act as a central hub for Russell Martin Academy (RMA) activity, supporting a broad programme that included Football Development Sessions, Elite Training, Holiday Courses, Birthday Parties, and 1-to-1 coaching.

Usage of the 3G pitch continued to grow, particularly across inclusion and health-focused programmes. Activity increased notably within Walking Football and Refugee Engagement projects, reflecting the facility's expanding community impact.

Our live automated booking system provided members of the public with real-time availability for both single and block bookings, making the facility accessible and easy to use. The site operated seven days a week until 10pm, and was managed by a small team consisting of one full-time employee supported by four self-employed staff members.

Disability & Inclusion

Disability and Inclusion remained a core part of Russell Martin Foundation provision, offering a level of diversity and support rarely seen in similar environments. The wide range of needs represented within the group reflects our commitment to wellbeing, engagement, ensuring that sport is accessible to all. The programme's impact was recognised externally, with the NHS promoting RMF as "a great initiative for therapy and rehabilitation."

Disability Post-16 Programme

RMF's Disability (Post-16) Programme continued to grow across Brighton & Hove and Haywards Heath, with a significant increase in the number of sessions delivered. Participants benefited from regular fixtures with partner organisations, creating more opportunities for inclusive, non-competitive play. Securing a long-term booking at Manor Gym further strengthened the programme's stability and contributed to rising attendance.

Disability in Schools Programmes

RMF also continued to play a vital role in supporting local primary schools to increase their sports participation, particularly for children with additional needs. RMF delivered a tailored after-school Sports Club specifically designed for pupils with complex needs. This targeted approach helped children engage with peers in ways that had previously been challenging, leading to noticeable improvements in confidence, communication, and physical activity levels.

Media & Communications

Over the past year, the Media & Communications team has continued to help grow the reach and awareness of The Russell Martin Foundation by sharing the stories about our programmes and the impact of our work.

A key focus has been improving our online presence and helping more people learn about the support RMF provides. Across our social media platforms, we gained over 500 new followers, while our content reached hundreds of thousands of people. One video shared on Instagram and TikTok received more than one million views, helping introduce the Foundation to a much wider audience.

We also spent more time developing our presence on LinkedIn. This allows us to connect with businesses, partners and professionals who may be interested in supporting RMF through partnerships, sponsorship or volunteering.

The RMF website continues to be an important place for people to learn about the Foundation. During the year we added new content, including information about our Let's Dance programme, helping visitors better understand the opportunities available.

Website traffic and social media can change throughout the year, often depending on media attention around our founder, Russell Martin, but the site remains an important way for people to find out more about our work.

To support fundraising and partnerships, the team also created a new RMF Partnership Booklet. This helps potential supporters understand who we are, what we do in the community, and the different ways they can get involved.

Looking ahead, the Media & Communications team will continue to grow RMF's online presence, strengthen our activity on platforms such as LinkedIn, and explore new platforms like TikTok to help reach younger audiences and share the stories of the young people we support.

Media & Communications Highlights

- 1M+ views on a single social media video

- Hundreds of thousands of social media impressions

- 500+ new followers gained across platforms

- 1,700-2,600 website users per month

- Launch of RMF Partnership Booklet

- New programme pages added including Let's Dance

Financial review

Financial position

The results for the year are as follows: total income for the year was £1,401,353 (2024: £1,448,826) and of this, £716,944 (2024: £692,289) related to restricted income. Expenditure for the year was £1,373,769 (2024: £1,505,538) and of this £681,699 (2024: £713,922) was restricted expenditure.

There was an overall net surplus for the year of £27,584 (2024: net deficit of £56,712) and this was made up of a net deficit on unrestricted funds of £7,661 and a net surplus on restricted funds in the year of £35,245. Unrestricted reserves carried forward at the 31st August 2025 were a surplus of £28,687.

Reserves policy

The trustees' reserve policy is to have 3 months of operating costs to cover any unexpected eventualities, but given our current situation and the economic climate it would be reasonable to not expect this to be a reality for the next 3 years.

To monitor and review this policy we will make reserve funding a standard item on our quarterly trustee meetings. We are looking to employ a Director of Finance in 2025-26, and the budget for next year will focus on raising unrestricted funds with a drive towards building up our reserves. This is especially important given the deficit budgets which many of our partner schools and local authorities are working with, as reliance on these partners cannot be guaranteed.

Funds in deficit

At the year end the charity had a deficit of £11,536 on the Old Barn Way project. The deficit arose due to initial expenditure being incurred before funding for the project has been received.

Future plans

Looking ahead, our Strategic Plan for 2025-2028 represents the next exciting stage of our journey. It sets out our ambition to build on everything we've achieved so far, while pushing further to meet emerging needs, broaden our reach, and deepen our impact. We will continue to place people and community at the heart of everything we do, ensuring the Foundation remains a positive force for change across Sussex.

Our future plans over the three year period are to meet the needs of the local population by:

Football

Promote, develop and support football in an enjoyable, safe and inclusive way.

- Greater emphasis on younger age groups (Year 2 & 3).

- Continue to promote equal opportunities for boys and girls.

- Develop better relationships with feeder schools to our secondary school partners.

- Grow our holiday course provision, make it more cost effective and affordable to support families that depend on half term childcare.

- Create more free opportunities for players to experience high quality football sessions.

Education

Help change lives through learning.

- Improve student wellbeing, engagement in education and outcomes.

- Close the gap for disadvantaged groups, focusing in particular on deprivation and girls.

- Offer a range of tailored programmes to support: Transition from Key Stage 2; Girls Empowerment and Boys Pathway programmes; opportunities and education to prevent NEET; and education and opportunities for adults.

Health

To promote healthy lives.

- Embed mental health and emotional wellbeing across youth programmes, focusing on early intervention and trauma-informed practice.

- Expand support for isolated older adults through social prescribing, linking them to meaningful community activity.

- Co-design health improvement work with residents and align this to council priorities on housing, education, and employment.

- Foster intergenerational connection and resilience, reduce harm and improve wellbeing across Sussex.

Dance

To promote performance dance at grassroots level.

- Successfully oversee the Let's Dance performances in Eastbourne.

- Support schools in Eastbourne and the surrounding area to deliver dance to their pupils.

Of course, none of this happens without the continued close working collaboration RMF enjoys with local organisations, particularly the primary and secondary schools, the local authorities, the Sussex FA and a whole range of sponsors and funders.

Finally, this is an ideal opportunity to thank our valued trustees who have helped us throughout the year.

STRUCTURE, GOVERNANCE AND MANAGEMENT

Governing document

The Russell Martin Foundation is a charitable company limited by guarantee and is registered in England and Wales. It was incorporated on 10th November 2016 (company number 10473815) and registered as a charity with the Charity Commission on 4th August 2017 (charity number 1174134). It is governed by its Memorandum and Articles of Association, which describes the objects and powers of the charity.

Recruitment and appointment of new trustees

Trustees are recruited on the basis of their existing relevant knowledge to ensure a good range of skills are covered by the board of trustees as a whole. Information relating to The Russell Martin Foundation is provided ahead of any appointment and training, including safeguarding training is provided to trustees.

The Board oversees the charity and the day-to-day management is delegated to Dr Alan Sanders (CEO) and the senior management team.

Remuneration of key management is set in conjunction with the trustees.

None of the trustees has any beneficial interest in the charity.

The trustees, who are also the directors for the purpose of company law, and who served during the year and up to the date that the financial statements were approved were as follows:

R K A Martin

N Young (resigned 30.05.25)

A H Batchelor

K Watson

R Bradford

K Mercer

J Burt

J Martin (appointed 28.10.24)

R Shaw (appointed 06.06.25, resigned 03.11.25)

L May (appointed 29.01.25)

Risk management

The trustees are responsible for overseeing the risks faced by The Russell Martin Foundation. Risks are identified and assessed throughout the year. The trustees are satisfied that any major risks have been adequately mitigated where necessary and have undertaken an overall risk assessment.

STATEMENT OF TRUSTEES' RESPONSIBILITIES

The trustees (who are also the directors of The Russell Martin Foundation for the purposes of company law) are responsible for preparing the Report of the Trustees and the financial statements in accordance with applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice) including Financial Reporting Standard 102 "The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland".

Company law requires the trustees to prepare financial statements for each financial year. Under that law, the trustees have elected to prepare the financial statements in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice (United Kingdom Accounting Standards and applicable law).

Under company law the trustees must not approve the financial statements unless they are satisfied that they give a true and fair view of the state of affairs of the charitable company and of the incoming resources and application of resources, including the income and expenditure, of the charitable company for that period. In preparing those financial statements, the trustees are required to

-	select suitable accounting policies and then apply them consistently;

-	observe the methods and principles in the Charities SORP;

-	make judgements and estimates that are reasonable and prudent;

-	state whether applicable accounting standards have been followed, subject to any material departures disclosed and explained in the financial statements;

-	prepare the financial statements on the going concern basis unless it is inappropriate to presume that the charitable company will continue in business.

The trustees are responsible for keeping proper accounting records which disclose with reasonable accuracy at any time the financial position of the charitable company and to enable them to ensure that the financial statements comply with the Companies Act 2006. They are also responsible for safeguarding the assets of the charitable company and hence for taking reasonable steps for the prevention and detection of fraud and other irregularities.

In so far as the trustees are aware:

-	there is no relevant audit information of which the charitable company's auditors are unaware; and

-	the trustees have taken all steps that they ought to have taken to make themselves aware of any relevant audit information and to establish that the auditors are aware of that information.

AUDITORS

The auditors, West & Berry Limited, will be proposed for re-appointment at the forthcoming Annual General Meeting.

Report of the trustees, incorporating a strategic report, approved by order of the board of trustees, as the company directors, on 26 May 2026 and signed on the board's behalf by:

R K A Martin - Trustee

Opinion

We have audited the financial statements of The Russell Martin Foundation (the 'charitable company') for the year ended 31 August 2025 which comprise the Statement of Financial Activities, the Balance Sheet, the Cash Flow Statement and notes to the financial statements, including a summary of significant accounting policies. The financial reporting framework that has been applied in their preparation is applicable law and United Kingdom Accounting Standards (United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice), including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'.

In our opinion the financial statements:

-	give a true and fair view of the state of the charitable company's affairs as at 31 August 2025 and of its incoming resources and application of resources, including its income and expenditure, for the year then ended;

-	have been properly prepared in accordance with United Kingdom Generally Accepted Accounting Practice, including Financial Reporting Standard 102 'The Financial Reporting Standard applicable in the UK and Republic of Ireland'; and

-	have been prepared in accordance with the requirements of the Companies Act 2006.

Basis for opinion

We conducted our audit in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK) (ISAs (UK)) and applicable law. Our responsibilities under those standards are further described in the Auditors' responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements section of our report. We are independent of the charitable company in accordance with the ethical requirements that are relevant to our audit of the financial statements in the UK, including the FRC's Ethical Standard, and we have fulfilled our other ethical responsibilities in accordance with these requirements. We believe that the audit evidence we have obtained is sufficient and appropriate to provide a basis for our opinion.

Conclusions relating to going concern

In auditing the financial statements, we have concluded that the trustees' use of the going concern basis of accounting in the preparation of the financial statements is appropriate.

Based on the work we have performed, we have not identified any material uncertainties relating to events or conditions that, individually or collectively, may cast significant doubt on the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern for a period of at least twelve months from when the financial statements are authorised for issue.

Our responsibilities and the responsibilities of the trustees with respect to going concern are described in the relevant sections of this report.

Other information

The trustees are responsible for the other information. The other information comprises the information included in the Annual Report, other than the financial statements and our Report of the Independent Auditors thereon.

Our opinion on the financial statements does not cover the other information and, except to the extent otherwise explicitly stated in our report, we do not express any form of assurance conclusion thereon.

In connection with our audit of the financial statements, our responsibility is to read the other information and, in doing so, consider whether the other information is materially inconsistent with the financial statements or our knowledge obtained in the audit or otherwise appears to be materially misstated. If we identify such material inconsistencies or apparent material misstatements, we are required to determine whether this gives rise to a material misstatement in the financial statements themselves. If, based on the work we have performed, we conclude that there is a material misstatement of this other information, we are required to report that fact. We have nothing to report in this regard.

Opinions on other matters prescribed by the Companies Act 2006

In our opinion, based on the work undertaken in the course of the audit:

-	the information given in the Report of the Trustees for the financial year for which the financial statements are prepared is consistent with the financial statements; and

-	the Report of the Trustees has been prepared in accordance with applicable legal requirements.

Matters on which we are required to report by exception

In the light of the knowledge and understanding of the charitable company and its environment obtained in the course of the audit, we have not identified material misstatements in the Report of the Trustees.

We have nothing to report in respect of the following matters where the Companies Act 2006 requires us to report to you if, in our opinion:

-	adequate accounting records have not been kept or returns adequate for our audit have not been received from branches not visited by us; or

-	the financial statements are not in agreement with the accounting records and returns; or

-	certain disclosures of trustees' remuneration specified by law are not made; or

-	we have not received all the information and explanations we require for our audit.

Responsibilities of trustees

As explained more fully in the Statement of Trustees' Responsibilities, the trustees (who are also the directors of the charitable company for the purposes of company law) are responsible for the preparation of the financial statements and for being satisfied that they give a true and fair view, and for such internal control as the trustees determine is necessary to enable the preparation of financial statements that are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error.

In preparing the financial statements, the trustees are responsible for assessing the charitable company's ability to continue as a going concern, disclosing, as applicable, matters related to going concern and using the going concern basis of accounting unless the trustees either intend to liquidate the charitable company or to cease operations, or have no realistic alternative but to do so.

Our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements

Our objectives are to obtain reasonable assurance about whether the financial statements as a whole are free from material misstatement, whether due to fraud or error, and to issue a Report of the Independent Auditors that includes our opinion. Reasonable assurance is a high level of assurance, but is not a guarantee that an audit conducted in accordance with ISAs (UK) will always detect a material misstatement when it exists. Misstatements can arise from fraud or error and are considered material if, individually or in the aggregate, they could reasonably be expected to influence the economic decisions of users taken on the basis of these financial statements.

The extent to which our procedures are capable of detecting irregularities, including fraud is detailed below:

The objectives of our audit are to identify and assess the risks of material misstatement of the financial

statements due to fraud or error; to obtain sufficient appropriate audit evidence regarding the assessed risks of

material misstatement due to fraud or error; and to respond appropriately to those risks. In identifying and

assessing risks of material misstatement in respect of irregularities, including fraud and non-compliance with

laws and regulations, our procedures included the following:

- We obtained an understanding of the legal and regulatory frameworks applicable to the charitable company

and the sector in which it operates. We determined that the following laws and regulations were most

significant: the Charities SORP (FRS 102), Companies Act 2006, and safeguarding legislation including

Safeguarding Vulnerable Groups Act 2006 (SVGA).

- We obtained an understanding of how the charitable company is complying with the legal and regulatory

frameworks by making inquiries to management.

- We assessed the susceptibility of the charitable company's financial statements to material misstatement,

including how fraud might occur.

Audit procedures performed by the engagement team included:

- identifying and assessing the design effectiveness of controls management has in place to prevent and detect

fraud;

- understanding how those charged with governance considered and addressed the potential for override of

controls or other inappropriate influence over the financial reporting process;

- made enquiries with management, including consideration of known or suspected instances of fraud or

non-compliance;

- assessing the extent of compliance with the relevant laws and regulations.

- challenging assumptions and judgments made by management in its significant accounting estimates;

- identifying and testing journal entries, in particular any journal entries posted with unusual account

combinations;

- performed analytical procedures to identify any unusual or unexpected relationships; and

- investigated the rationale behind significant or unusual transactions.

Owing to the inherent limitations of an audit, there is an unavoidable risk that material misstatements in the

financial statements may not be detected, even though the audit is properly planned and performed in

accordance with the ISAs (UK). For instance, the further removed non-compliance is from the events and

transactions reflected in the financial statements, the less likely the auditor is to become aware of it or to

recognise non-compliance.

A further description of our responsibilities for the audit of the financial statements is located on the Financial Reporting Council's website at www.frc.org.uk/auditorsresponsibilities. This description forms part of our Report of the Independent Auditors.

Use of our report

This report is made solely to the charitable company's members, as a body, in accordance with Chapter 3 of Part 16 of the Companies Act 2006. Our audit work has been undertaken so that we might state to the charitable company's members those matters we are required to state to them in an auditors' report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the charitable company and the charitable company's members as a body, for our audit work, for this report, or for the opinions we have formed.

Michelle Westbury FCCA (Senior Statutory Auditor)

for and on behalf of West & Berry Limited

Chartered Certified Accountants

Nile House

Nile Street

Brighton

East Sussex

BN1 1HW

26 May 2026

31.8.25

31.8.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

3

95,462

716,944

812,406

757,258

Charitable activities

4

587,980

-

587,980

690,320

Investment income

5

967

-

967

1,248

Total

684,409

716,944

1,401,353

1,448,826

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

Raising donations and legacies

6

100

-

100

3,076

100

-

100

3,076

Charitable activities

7

Charitable activities

691,970

681,699

1,373,669

1,502,462

Total

692,070

681,699

1,373,769

1,505,538

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(7,661

)

35,245

27,584

(56,712

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

36,348

(46,781

)

(10,433

)

46,279

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED FORWARD

28,687

(11,536

)

17,151

(10,433

)

CONTINUING OPERATIONS

The statement of financial activities includes all gains and losses recognised in the year.

All income and expenditure derive from continuing activities.

The statement of financial activities also complies with the requirements for an income and expenditure account under the Companies Act 2006.

31.8.25

31.8.24

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

Notes

£

FIXED ASSETS

Tangible assets

14

2,227

2,145

4,372

11,557

CURRENT ASSETS

Debtors

15

24,066

7,478

31,544

54,105

Cash at bank

72,154

-

72,154

13,188

96,220

7,478

103,698

67,293

CREDITORS

Amounts falling due within one year

16

(69,760

)

(21,159

)

(90,919

)

(89,283

)

NET CURRENT

ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)

26,460

(13,681

)

12,779

(21,990

)

TOTAL ASSETS LESS CURRENT

LIABILITIES

28,687

(11,536

)

17,151

(10,433

)

NET ASSETS/(LIABILITIES)

28,687

(11,536

)

17,151

(10,433

)

FUNDS

18

Unrestricted funds

28,687

36,348

Restricted funds

(11,536

)

(46,781

)

TOTAL FUNDS

17,151

(10,433

)

The financial statements were approved by the Board of Trustees and authorised for issue on 26 May 2026 and were signed on its behalf by:

R K A Martin - Trustee

Cash flows from operating activities

Cash generated from operations

1

54,099

(58,186

)

Interest paid

(100

)

-

Net cash provided by/(used in) operating activities

53,999

(58,186

)

Cash flows from investing activities

Purchase of tangible fixed assets

-

(5,491

)

Sale of tangible fixed assets

4,000

-

Interest received

967

1,248

Net cash provided by/(used in) investing activities

4,967

(4,243

)

Change in cash and cash equivalents

in the reporting period

58,966

(62,429

)

Cash and cash equivalents at the

beginning of the reporting period

13,188

75,617

Cash and cash equivalents at the end

of the reporting period

72,154

13,188

1.	RECONCILIATION OF NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE) TO NET CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Net income/(expenditure) for the reporting period (as per the

Statement of Financial Activities)

27,584

(56,712

)

Adjustments for:

Depreciation charges

3,449

6,502

(Profit)/loss on disposal of fixed assets

(264

)

10

Interest received

(967

)

(1,248

)

Interest paid

100

-

Increase/(decrease) in pension creditor

(660

)

536

Decrease/(increase) in debtors

22,561

(22,120

)

Increase in creditors

2,296

14,846

Net cash provided by/(used in) operations

54,099

(58,186

)

2.	ANALYSIS OF CHANGES IN NET FUNDS

At 1.9.24

Cash flow

At 31.8.25

£

Net cash

Cash at bank

13,188

58,966

72,154

13,188

58,966

72,154

Total

13,188

58,966

72,154

1.	CHARITY INFORMATION

The Russell Martin Foundation is a private charitable company limited by guarantee, incorporated in England and Wales. The registered office is the same as the principal address of the charity, Bank House, Southwick Square, West Sussex BN42 4FN.

2.	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.

The financial statements are prepared in sterling, which is the functional currency of the charity. Monetary amounts in these financial statements are rounded to the nearest £

Critical accounting judgements and key sources of estimation uncertainty

In the application of the charity's accounting policies, the trustees are required to make judgements, estimates and assumptions about the carrying amount of assets and liabilities that are not readily apparent from other sources. The estimates and associated assumptions are based on historical experience and other factors that are considered to be relevant. Actual results may differ from these estimates.

The estimates and underlying assumptions are reviewed on an ongoing basis. Revisions to accounting estimates are recognised in the period in which the estimate is revised where the revision affects only that period, or in the period of the revision and future periods where the revision affects both current and future periods.

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.

Income from government and other grants is recognised when the charity has entitlement to the funds, any performance conditions attached to the grants have been met, 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 allocated to the particular activity where the cost relates directly to that activity. Support costs include central functions and have been allocated to activity cost categories on the basis consistent with the use of resources. Central staff costs are allocated on the basis of time spent, and depreciation charges are allocated on the portion of the asset's use.

Costs of generating funds relates to expenditure on raising donations.

Tangible fixed assets

Tangible fixed assets are initially measured at cost and subsequently measured at cost or valuation, net of depreciation and any impairment losses

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

useful life.

Plant and machinery - 25% on reducing balance

Computer equipment - 33% 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

Financial instruments

The charity has elected to apply the provisions of Section 11 'Basic Financial Instruments' and Section 12 'Other Financial Instruments issues' of FRS 102 to all of its financial instruments.

Financial instruments are recognised in the charity's balance sheet when the charity becomes party to the contractual provisions of the instrument.

Financial assets and liabilities are offset, with the net amounts presented in the financial statements, when there is a legally enforceable right to set off the recognised amounts and there is an intention to settle on a net basis or release the asset and settle the liability simultaneously.

Basic financial assets

Basic financial assets, which include debtors and cash and bank balances, are initially measured at transaction price including transaction costs and are subsequently carried at amortised cost using the effective interest method unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the transaction is measured at the present value of the future receipts discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial assets classified as receivable within one year are not amortised.

Basic financial liabilities

Basic financial liabilities, including creditors and bank loans are initially recognised at transaction price unless the arrangement constitutes a financing transaction, where the debt instrument is measured at the present value of the future payments discounted at a market rate of interest. Financial liabilities classified as payable within one year are not amortised.

Debt instruments are subsequently carried at amortised cost, using the effective interest rate method.

Trade creditors are obligations to pay for goods or services that have been acquired in the ordinary course of operations from suppliers. Amounts payable are classified as current liabilities if payment is due within one year or less. If not, they are presented as non-current liabilities. Trade creditors are recognised initially at transaction price and subsequently measured at amortised cost using the effective interest method.

Derecognition of financial liabilities

Financial liabilities are derecognised when the charity's contractual obligations expire or are discharged or cancelled.

Going cconcern

At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements. At the time of approving the financial statements, the trustees have a reasonable expectation that the charity has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Thus, the trustees continue to adopt the going concern basis of accounting in preparing the financial statements.

3.	DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

31.8.25

General

ETP

Old Barn

Way

Total

£

Grants

50,859

650,918

50,000

751,777

Sponsorship

12,600

-

12,600

Donations

32,003

16,026

-

48,029

95,462

666,944

50,000

812,406

31.8.24

General

ETP

Old Barn

Way

Total

£

Grants

51,670

664,089

-

715,759

Sponsorship

-

10,000

18,000

28,000

Donations

13,299

200

-

13,499

64,969

674,289

18,000

757,258

4.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Coaching and service delivery

587,980

688,820

Advertising income

-

1,500

587,980

690,320

5.	INVESTMENT INCOME

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Deposit account interest

967

1,248

6.	RAISING DONATIONS AND LEGACIES

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Costs of raising funds

100

3,076

7.	CHARITABLE ACTIVITIES COSTS

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Charitable Activities (see Detailed SoFA)

1,147,640

1,258,901

Share of Support costs (see note 8)

174,608

187,180

Share of Governance costs (see note 8)

51,521

59,457

1,373,769

1,505,538

Analysis by Fund:

Unrestricted funds

692,070

791,616

Restricted funds

681,699

713,922

1,373,769

1,505,538

31.8.25

£

Analysis by Charitable

Activity

ETP

Old Barn

Way

Coaching

Total

Charitable activities

445,331

6,756

695,553

1,147,640

Support costs

42,283

-

132,325

174,608

Governance costs

-

51,521

487,614

6,756

879,399

1,373,769

31.8.24

£

Analysis by Charitable

Activity

ETP

Old Barn

Way

Coaching

Total

Charitable activities

527,969

39,766

691,166

1,258,901

Support costs

144,942

1,245

40,993

187,180

Governance costs

-

59,457

259,457

672,911

41,011

791,616

1,505,538

8.	SUPPORT COSTS

Governance

General

costs

Totals

£

Charitable activities

174,608

51,521

226,129

Support costs, included in the above, are as follows:

General

31.8.25

31.8.24

Charitable

Total

activities

£

Office rent and rates

5,181

6,000

Repairs and renewals

16,661

17,808

Insurance

22,512

16,087

Light and heat

9,832

11,207

Telephone

7,568

8,168

Postage and stationery

640

2,413

Advertising, publicity & media

27,498

35,169

Staff training

11,062

3,825

Computer costs

13,092

12,274

Motor expenses

9,335

11,392

Vehicle leasing

33,007

29,221

Travel and subsistence

3,806

4,327

Subscriptions

77

87

Cleaning

1,686

1,566

DBS checks

2,264

-

Sundry expenses

4,205

18,091

Entertaining

2,733

3,043

Depreciation

3,449

6,502

174,608

187,180

Governance costs

31.8.25

31.8.24

Charitable

Total

activities

£

Auditors' remuneration

9,600

Bank & processing fees

20,458

25,656

Accountancy

17,838

20,526

Bookkeeping

3,525

3,675

HMRC interest

100

-

51,521

59,457

9.	NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

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

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Depreciation - owned assets

3,449

6,501

Other operating leases

5,181

6,000

Surplus/(deficit) on disposal of fixed assets

(264

)

10

10.	AUDITORS' REMUNERATION

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Fees payable to the charity's auditors and their associates for the audit

of the charity's financial statements

9,600

11.	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.

12.	STAFF COSTS

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Wages and salaries

674,769

685,406

Social security costs

54,157

56,189

Other pension costs

13,311

14,503

742,237

756,098

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

31.8.25

31.8.24

Coaching

13

9

Teaching

10

12

Management

2

3

Admin and Support

1

2

Key management

1

27

The number of employees whose employee benefits (excluding employer pension costs) exceeded £60,000 was:

31.8.25

31.8.24

£70,001 - £80,000

1

Key management total employee benefits amounted to £73,249 (2024: £72,707). Contributions totalling £1,321 (2024: £1,321) were paid to defined pension contribution schemes on behalf of employees whose emoluments exceeded £60,000.

13.	COMPARATIVES FOR THE STATEMENT OF FINANCIAL ACTIVITIES

Unrestricted

Restricted

Total

fund

funds

£

INCOME AND ENDOWMENTS FROM

Donations and legacies

64,969

692,289

757,258

Charitable activities

690,320

-

690,320

Investment income

1,248

-

1,248

Total

756,537

692,289

1,448,826

EXPENDITURE ON

Raising funds

Raising donations and legacies

3,076

-

3,076

-

3,076

Charitable activities

788,540

713,922

1,502,462

Total

791,616

713,922

1,505,538

NET INCOME/(EXPENDITURE)

(35,079

)

(21,633

)

(56,712

)

Transfers between funds

51,774

(51,774

)

-

Net movement in funds

16,695

(73,407

)

(56,712

)

RECONCILIATION OF FUNDS

Total funds brought forward

19,653

26,626

46,279

TOTAL FUNDS CARRIED

FORWARD

36,348

(46,781

)

(10,433

)

14.	TANGIBLE FIXED ASSETS

Plant and

Computer

machinery

equipment

Totals

£

COST

At 1 September 2024

22,841

12,263

35,104

Disposals

(8,856

)

-

(8,856

)

At 31 August 2025

13,985

12,263

26,248

DEPRECIATION

At 1 September 2024

15,151

8,396

23,547

Charge for year

990

2,459

3,449

Eliminated on disposal

(5,120

)

-

(5,120

)

At 31 August 2025

11,021

10,855

21,876

NET BOOK VALUE

At 31 August 2025

2,964

1,408

4,372

At 31 August 2024

7,690

3,867

11,557

15.	DEBTORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Trade debtors

20,200

34,230

Other debtors

395

-

Accrued income

1,778

19,875

Prepayments

9,171

-

31,544

54,105

16.	CREDITORS: AMOUNTS FALLING DUE WITHIN ONE YEAR

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Trade creditors

19,656

23,766

Aged Debtor credit balances

-

980

Social security and other taxes

13,631

14,642

Other creditors

5,410

-

Pension control

2,215

2,875

Accruals and deferred income

21,405

18,470

Accrued expenses

28,602

28,550

90,919

89,283

Deferred income movement

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Deferred income is included within current liabilities

21,405

18,470

Movements in year

Deferred income at 1st September 2024

18,470

9,500

Released from previous periods

(18,470

)

(9,500

)

Resources deferred in the year

21,405

18,470

21,405

18,470

17.	LEASING AGREEMENTS

Minimum lease payments under non-cancellable operating leases fall as follows:

31.8.25

31.8.24

£

Within one year

28,650

Between two and five years

40,938

46,319

69,588

74,969

18.	MOVEMENT IN FUNDS

Restricted funds

As at

Income

Expenditure

As at

1.9.24

in year

Transfers

31.8.25

Old Barn Way Project

Adur District Council

(54,780

)

-

(6,756

)

-

(61,536

)

Garfield Weston

-

50,000

-

50,000

(54,780

)

50,000

(6,756

)

-

(11,536

)

Extra Time Project

Active Sussex

-

2,000

(2,000

)

-

Bedgebury Foundation

-

5,000

(5,000

)

-

BNI

-

1,000

(1,000

)

-

Brighton & Hove City Council

-

3,364

(3,364

)

-

BSA

-

400

(400

)

-

C Ibsha

-

600

(600

)

-

Charlton Athletic FC

-

12,195

(12,195

)

-

Crawley Borough Council

-

23,653

(23,653

)

-

Crawley Youth Centre

-

1,000

(1,000

)

-

Donatello

-

7,500

(7,500

)

-

Ernest Kleinwort

8,000

-

(8,000

)

-

Fonthill Foundation

-

32,000

(32,000

)

-

Golden Lion Group

-

250

(250

)

-

Kellogs

-

500

(500

)

-

HR Smart

-

300

(300

)

-

Patcham Community Fund

-

500

(500

)

-

Peer Power

-

7,600

(7,600

)

-

PFA

-

6,250

(6,250

)

-

Sport England

-

6,405

(6,405

)

-

Sussex Community Foundation

-

8,418

(8,418

)

-

Tesco

-

500

(500

)

-

The Percy Bilton Charity

4,920

(4,920

)

-

The Starr Trust

-

2.428

(2,428

)

-

University of Sussex

-

1,400

(1,400

)

-

Warburtons

-

400

(400

)

-

West Sussex County Council

-

49,701

(49,701

)

-

Worthing Borough Council

-

15,750

(15,750

)

-

ETP project income from schools

-

472,910

(472,910

)

-

8,000

666,944

(674,944

)

-

(46,780

)

716,944

(681,700

)

-

(11,536

)

Unrestricted funds

36,348

684,409

(692,070

)

-

28,687

TOTAL FUNDS

(10,432

)

1,401,353

(1,373,769

)

-

17,151

RMF has been awarded £2 million funding to develop Old Barn Way to build a new artificial pitch

and clubhouse. It is hoped that the facility will be available for public use as well as being a home for Russell Martin Academy activities, and when not being used for football related activities, the clubhouse will be used for educational and health programmes.

At 31st August 2025, Old Barn Way restricted fund has a deficit balance of £11,536. This balance

has built up over the last four years due to the charity having to cover various project related costs such as legal fees ahead of confirmed funds being released. At March 2025, the charity had received the Heads of Terms and an Agreement to Lease and, once signed, this will prompt the release of funds from the Football Foundation and Adur District Council and it is expected that the deficit balance will have reversed by the end of the August 2026 year.

Restricted funds (contd)

Restricted funds

As at

Income

Expenditure

As at

1.9.23

in year

Transfers

31.8.24

Old Barn Way Project

Adur District Council

(31,769

)

-

(23,011

)

-

(54,780

)

MCR Media

-

1,500

(1,500

)

-

Rivervale

-

1,500

(1,500

)

-

SO Legal

-

15,000

(15,000

)

-

(31,769

)

18,000

(41,011

)

-

(54,780

)

Extra Time Project

Brighton & Hove City Council

-

17,713

(17,713

)

-

Chalk Cliff Trust

5,000

-

(5,000

)

-

Charlton Athletic FC

-

12,195

(12,195

)

-

Community Cooking Club

-

250

(250

)

-

Crawley Borough Council

-

6,650

(6,650

)

-

Donatello

-

9,999

(9,999

)

-

Ernest Kiline

-

8,000

-

8,000

Fonthill Foundation

13,400

26,800

(40,200

)

-

G Rogers

-

200

(200

)

-

Gatwick Airport Community Support

-

1,000

(1,000

)

-

National Foundation for Youth Musicl

-

2,982

(2,982

)

-

Peer Power

-

1,200

(1,200

)

-

PFA

-

15,000

(15,000

)

-

Sussex Community Foundation

-

1,800

(1,800

)

-

The Starr Trust

-

2,429

(2,429

)

University of Sussex

-

2,400

(2,400

)

-

West Sussex County Council

-

12,473

(12,473

)

-

VYD CIC

-

375

(375

)

-

ETP project income from schools

39,996

552,823

(541,045

)

(51,774

)

-

58,396

674,289

(672,911

)

(51,774

)

8,000

26,626

692,289

(713,922

)

(51,774

)

(46,781

)

Unrestricted funds

19,653

756,537

(791,616

)

51,774

36,348

TOTAL FUNDS

46,279

1,448,826

(1,505,538

)

-

(10,433

)

19.	EMPLOYEE BENEFIT OBLIGATIONS

The charity operates a defined contribution pension scheme for all qualifying employees. The assets of the scheme are held separately from those of the charity in an independently administered fund.

The charge to the profit and loss in respect of defined contribution schemes was £13,311 (2024: £14,503).

20.	RELATED PARTY DISCLOSURES

Remuneration of key management personnel

The remuneration of key management personnel is as follows:

Aggregate compensation £74,570 (2024: £74,027).

The following related party transactions occurred during the year:

Payments of £6,944 (2024: £7,300) were made to a family member of the CEO for working on the Extra Time Provision. The transactions were all conducted at arms length.