Racecourse rides to rescue Millers

Southwell Racecourse is riding to the rescue of Carlton Town who are still reeling from an insurance company's shock decision to refuse to pick up the cost of a raid by thieves and vandals.

The Evo-Stik NPL First Division South outfit had only expected to pay a £1000 excess on an £8,000 plus bill after their clubhouse was wrecked and bar and gate takings were stolen back in August. Despite the club's own CCTV even helping in the arrest and conviction of the culprits, brokers told the Millers they won’t pay out, leaving them with a massive financial shortfall since the campaign kicked off.

Southwell Racecourse heard about the Millers' financial plight and on Tuesday offered to host a 'Carlton Town Day at the Races’ in February and donate 1,000 grandstand tickets for the club to resell in the community. The Millers will also get a share from the sponsorship of three races and are hoping fans, players and officials from the rest of Evo-Stik NPL will buy batches of tickets to the race-day fundraiser.

Millers Chairman Garton says the Millers are planning to sell the £11 tickets for £5 to encourage as many fans as possible to support the event. He believes it could secure the club's future, with at least £25,000 up for grabs if they can sell their full quota by effectively turning it into a day out for the whole league.

He said: "This is a wonderful opportunity for everybody involved with Carlton Town to come together and not only have a great day out but also help secure the future of this football club. We have had one all mighty setback and this is one of the greatest opportunities in the club’s history.

"I cannot think of a deal we have been offered remotely close to this and I can’t thank Nathan Corden and his team enough. Hopefully the Carlton community will want to be a part of this as well and I'm more than happy to do deals with other clubs to bring race day partners on board in order to attempt to sell the full allocation of tickets."

The course is run by Arena Leisure PLC and the company’s Head of Commercial Development, Nathan Corden, said: "When I heard about the unfortunate situation at Carlton Town I called their Chairman Mick Garton straight away. I’ve known Mick for years and wanted to offer as much assistance as I could so we arranged to meet for a pint and from there we have decided to hold a ‘Carlton Town FC Day at The Races’ on Sunday 10th February 2013.

"The Racecourse will donate 1,000 tickets for that day’s racing to the football club so they can be sold to their players, supporters and families. Hopefully the whole community will get behind this initiative, raising some much needed money for the club and have a great day out at the races in the process."

Carlton Town’s Commercial Manager Tim Harris now has the job of making the most of the opportunity the club has to bounce back from the financial hammer blow.

"It is an outstanding gesture from Nathan," said Harris. "As a community football club it’s great when our sporting neighbours feel they can help out. Commercially this is a big coup for the club and hopefully it will be the start of a new friendship.

"The ball is certainly now in our court to sell these tickets, to pick up on the kindness and run with it to make it a big score for the Millers and a day we can all look forward to."

For more information on tickets and sponsorship contact Carlton Town’s office on 0115 9581735 or via email at: info@carltontownfc.co.uk.