Birmingham & Solihull’s public plea for £40,000

Aug 29 2009 by Andy Walker, Birmingham Mail

CASH-strapped Birmingham & Solihull have launched a public appeal to raise £40,000 to allow them to start next weekend’s inaugural Championship season.

‘I’m Backing the Bees’ is an attempt to find much-needed financial support to secure the troubled club’s immediate future.

Loyal members and supporters have stumped up £60,000 but the club needs to hit £100,000 to ensure that they can play Plymouth Albion next Saturday for the start of the season.

In return, the Bees are offering potential sponsors the chance to get their names on kit or advertising hoardings in a league that will attract Sky cameras this season. Firms can also back one of the newly-promoted club’s many community initiatives.

Bees chairman Brian Marshall said: “Our membership has given us an excellent start but we’re sure there are also businesses, organisations and individuals who also want to see a top-class rugby club carrying the name of Birmingham and Solihull into the new Championship division, whilst enabling us to continue our valuable work with young people in the community. The team’s achievements last year have given us a solid foundation but we need on-going support to enable us to fulfil our potential on and off the pitch.”

The club are also wanting to break their all-time matchday attendance record. It stands at just over 1,700, set against Harlequins in 2005, but officials are aiming for 2,000-plus. Their first home game is against Bristol, relegated from the Guinness Premiership, on September 12 (3pm).

n Contact Ricky Davies on 07966 621330 or 0121 705 0409 or via email at: info@beesrugby.com.