Fans can cash in on new home

FC United of Manchester have launched a new ‘Loan Stock’ scheme for fans to help fund the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League’s new ground and community facility.

With work at their new Broadhurst Park stadium in Moston currently entering the final stages of construction, pictured, the Premier Division’s Rebels have announced that they are aiming to borrow up to £200,000 at 2 per cent interest from their 3,000 plus members and other individuals.

When complete, it is hoped the club’s new 5,000 capacity home ground will deliver real and lasting benefit to the area and ensure a sustainable future. FCUM believe the scheme, among the first ever to be given Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) Advanced Assurance by HMRC and the first in football, will prove to be a winner for both the club and its fans.

Andy Walsh, FCUM’s general manager, said: "Our members have contributed over £1.9m to the club’s pioneering Community Share Scheme. The Loan Stock enables the club to borrow money at less than the current market rate and we are inviting individuals to lend money to the club.

"The investor will benefit from a very attractive deal, as well as contributing to a fantastic new community facility. Qualification of the loan stock scheme for Social Investment Tax Relief (SITR) means that, subject to personal circumstances, investors can recoup 30% of what they invest against their tax liability.

"FC United has already successfully raised £5.55m needed to build the new facility which has a total project cost of £6.011 million. The loan stock offer to individuals with a minimum of £10,000 to invest is one of the last pieces in the jigsaw and offers people a unique opportunity to invest in a project that will make a real difference to the local community."

He added: "FC United's loan stock scheme is amongst the first ever to be given SITR Advanced Assurance by HMRC and the first to launch in football."

Co-operatives UK, the national body that campaigns for co-operation and works to promote, develop and unite co-operative enterprises, played a key role in helping FC United gain advance assurance for Social Investment Tax Relief.

Co-operatives UK’s Ged Devlin said: "It’s fantastic that one of our members has become one of the first organisations to receive advance assurance. The potential impact of this investment relief is huge both in terms of FC United and potential social investors. It’s a win-win situation."

For more information on the terms and conditions of the club scheme visit: www.fc-utd.co.uk/loanstock.php

Follow us: @evostikleague on Twitter | The NPL group on Facebook by clicking here: www.facebook.com/groups/TheNPL/