When we did the Preedy/Cryne flag, I setup the Crowdfunder page but I wouldn't recommend using it again, they took a significant proportion of the money as indeed did PayPal. I'm happy to have a look at other ways to raise the cash. Maybe people with buckets on matchdays could do it?
At a recent Milan game we went to, the Ultras were rattling plastic pint pots full of euro coins as soon as you got through the turnstile, that's how they fund all their tifo's. You have to donate because unlike the culture in this country they are mainly blokes in their 40s built like brick **** houses that do all the singing at the games, not the kids. Maybe a bucket collection would be good, with a bit of muscle holding them.
I'm sure we raised over £1000 last time entirely on-line, I reckon we'd get a decent sum just with matchday buckets, I'd be happy to do it when I'm there. @Stahlrost might be able to remember what we paid for the flag and his contacts should be able to give us prices for a new one.
Of course. CrowdFunder are mostly for people starting their own business so I shouldn't have used them, my fault entirely.
Follow up on this, as far as my memory allows. When @Brush started the flag ball rolling back in 2016, I got involved and collected funds in a bank account so that people could contribute without paying commission to fund raising companies. This was all documented and I sent PMs to all contributors as confirmation. We raised about £1100. The flag design was done by Gaz Lovett (RIP) and friends, apologies but I can't remember all their names. We purchased the flag from Football Flags Ltd. https://www.footballflags.co.uk/. The first game was against Forest where it was crowd surfed on Sky, but sadly we ended up losing the game 5-2 and having Marley Watkins sent off, so not the best debut! After that a fellow fan Lucy and I looked after the flag at home matches, and it also made appearances at Norwich, Birmingham, Blackpool, Bolton and a few other grounds, including Wembley (Spurs League Cup) where it wasn't allowed in despite having got written permission in advance. Each summer the flag needed to be washed and repaired which I paid for, until latterly Mrs Cryne covered the costs. During covid the club looked after the flag which was on permanent display in the Ponty end. After lockdown @thetykester took on the job for a while, then I lost track of things. A few tips for the new flag:- Wilthorpe Dry Cleaners did the washing and repairing of the flag, which should be done at least once a year in the summer. If the flag is left permanently in position, it needs covering with an opaque cover between matches to prevent fading from sunlight. If strong winds are forecast, the flag should be removed and packed away. The original flag suffered bad damage from being left in position in gales. The original flag had a fire certificate sewn into it, but this was often not recognised by staff at away grounds. The new flag should have a sewn in certificate and also a written copy. If the flag is taken to away games, permission should be obtained in writing (email) in advance. You will need to quote the dimensions and material, and supply a copy of the fire certificate. Hope this helps, good luck to whoever is running this new project.
Best not to leave them out in the open permanently. The Cryne one would be better on the inside of the Pontys west side.
