Football club aims to raise £100,000 with community share issue
Annan Athletic are aiming to raise £100,000 through a new community share issue.
The Scottish League One club have announced the major revenue-raising drive as a way of boosting its ambitions on and off the field.
Annan hope to raise the ambitious six-figure amount in the next month by offering fans the chance to buy shares in blocks of £5,000 between now and March 22.
It is described as the fan-owned club's biggest one-off money-raising drive since the Galabank club became a community benefit society in 2017.
Club officials say it is an attempt to reinforce Annan's financial stability as well as help fuel their bid to grow.
Chairman Russell Brown said: 'Our fans are the beating heart of Annan Athletic. They are the owners and custodians of our club.
"The board, management and players are grateful for their tremendous support, in every possible way.
⬛️🟨 LANDMARK COMMUNITY SHARE OFFER 🟨⬛️https://t.co/p1gpI40GVB
— Annan Athletic FC (@AnnanAthleticFC) February 22, 2025
'This exciting community share offer creates an opportunity for those who wish to invest further in the club - and the wider community - by helping us build a solid base from which our future sustainability and success can develop.'
Annan say their business plan includes supporting its SPFL squad to challenge for promotion, as well as helping the club's associated women's, youth, junior, walking and wider inclusive football programmes, along with other community-focused health and wellbeing initiatives.
They are also planning upgrades Galabank, including improved parking at the north end of the ground, installing solar panels to make its power supply self-sufficient, expanding changing facilities, improving spectator areas and creating a fan zone.
Annan have stressed that the new initiative will not change the club's one member, one vote shareholder governance structure.
Community share offer investors will, though, be granted life member status and become part of a new group, Club 1942, named in honour of the year the Black-and-Golds were founded.
The offer was opened and unveiled to fans ahead of their 4-3 home defeat to Alloa Athletic last weekend. Wullie Gibson's side are currently eighth in the table ahead of Saturday's trip to Arbroath.
Brown added: 'It's no secret that football clubs up and down the country are grappling with financial challenges. Annan Athletic is no different.
"It's difficult and we have to manage our budget very carefully. But this share offer will provide us with further stability.
'We want to build on our historic success of securing League One status by progressing further as an SPFL club on the pitch - as well as growing our wider work and ambitions to improve lives through football.'
Potential investors can purchase up to a maximum of four community share offer blocks of £5,000 with the option to pay up-front or via an agreed payment plan.
Fans can also still become shareholders in Annan Athletic with a £1 stake and a £10-a-year annual payment.
More information can be found at www.annanathleticfc.com or by emailing exec@annanathleticfc.com
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