The chair of the Boston United Supporters Association, Steve Slater has shared an end of season report about the associations activities throughout the 2024-2025 season.
“As Chairman of the Boston United Supporters Association, I thought I would give members and non-members an end of season report. I believe in being open and honest with what I and the committee have done and will do prior to the launch of the 2025/26 membership.
“I want to share the main change going into the new membership year starting 1st August 2025. We will be dropping the Black & Amber membership and just having one with the Adult membership price being £25 (same as Gold last season). We will also have a Young Adults membership at £5 (ages 13-21) and we will also have our Junior Pilgrims (up to age 13) which will be free with a paying Adult.
“Before I/we get shot down for the change, let me try and explain why we have done this. The £10 membership has been that price since BUSA was formed over 20 years ago. In that time the demographics have changed with more families attending matches, so we want to make it better value for families. We are charging £25 but each Adult can now sigh up to 3 Junior Pilgrims for free. We are also keeping Young Adults membership at £5. We think this plan will encourage more families to become members.
“Over the last 2 years we have grown both the number of members and the amount of money we have raised through memberships. Last year we had 670 members raising £10,660 – 478 Gold members and 192 Black and Amber members. Will we lose some members? I think we might, but will we gain members? Yes we will.
“Over the last 2 years our coach travel will have saved regular travelling members over 500 compared to what was being charged 3 seasons ago. We also have grown the number of people travelling on our coaches. Before the introduction of the £12/£15 seats 3 seasons ago, our average number travelling to an away game was 31. Last season we averaged nearly 80 per game. Yes we were blessed with being in the National League, but in the relegation places. What would it be if we were in the Play Off places?
“We are offering better benefits this coming year:
- Adults: Coach travel at competitive price (to be agreed), Priority tickets after season ticket holders (pending allocation), 9 monthly prize draws – 1st prize £75 club voucher, 2nd prize £25 voucher
- Young Adults: Own 9 monthly prize draws – £50 Club voucher
- Junior Pilgrims: 6 monthly prize draws – £50 Club voucher, 3 monthly draws for mascot experience
“We have also worked with the Club to offer an Ellenders offer of 2 meals for £25 on a Wednesday (terms and conditions apply) for up to 4 people – i.e. 4 main meals for £50.
“So I/we think for £25 you are getting great value for your membership while showing your support and helping to raise money for your Club.
“Just some of our other highlights:
- Golden Goal tickets – raised £21,000 paying our £8,575, profit of £12,700
- Our first BINGOAL raised £1,100 for our Club
- Our fundraising events will have raised over £30,000
- Our membership will have raised over £10,000
“We continue to have bi-monthly meetings with senior members of staff at the Club and I have regular 1:1 meetings with Club Chairman, David newton. All helping make us all UNITED FOR OUR CLUB.
“And finally, maybe our biggest success this year, which we cannot put a value on is the introduction of BUSA BEAR. He has gone down so well with all supporters young and old.
“I am willing to talk to anyone about what BUSA is doing and why. Whatever we do we will not please everyone but if we don’t try different things, we will stand still and we, like the Club, need to move forward.
“Thanks to members and non-members for your support in the 2024/25 season.”
Steve Slater
