WE are forever hearing stories about Non-League clubs suffering due to a lack of finances, but now there is an easy way to boost your club’s coffers.

For every Non-League fan that opens a new account with BetBright and stakes £25 or more, their club receives £40 while there is an added incentive as you will then be offered a free £20 stake to use.

And while the deal may seem to encourage gambling, Shaun Turner, the chief executive of Norfolk FA, has come firmly to its defence.

He said: “This situation is not forcing anyone to gamble. If somebody thinks betting is immoral then they don’t have to engage with it.

“We’re not forcing anybody to open an account. We’re encouraging those that want to, or do bet, to do so responsibly and sensibly, while now providing them with the chance to raise funds for their club.

“The BetBright fundraising incentive is a great idea. More than £7,000 was raised towards grassroots last month.”

Of course, players down to Step 4 are not allowed to bet on the beautiful game after the recent FA ban on players and coaches from betting on any worldwide footballing activity, but Turner doesn’t see a problem.

He added: “If it ever comes down to being able to bet on games in the Norwich and District Sunday League between say Doghouse and AFC Wanderers then we’re going to have to look at it.

“But I can’t see that happening. Gambling is in your face. People, including footballers, bet. Our players probably have a betting app on their smart phone.

“If someone is going to bet, they’re going to do it. But now they can give something back to their club.”

The Coors Sunday League have already benefitted from BetBright’s scheme with teams in the league earning a combined total of £1,480 in the first month alone. And league co-ordinator Ian Sumnall knows how crucial this money can be for clubs at that level.

He said: “I think the grass-roots scheme from BetBright is a fantastic initiative which is giving clubs the chance to secure their finances for a couple of seasons at least.

“In the short term, teams will be able to get ahead by paying their league fees and pitch hire on time, enabling them to have the pick of the best facilities where usually they have to wait until pre-season training starts and then cajole the cash out of players.”

Target

And while that’s a whole league, Evo-Stik NPL Division One South side Mickleover Sports are looking for a similar amount to be earned for their club.

The recent winter saw many games postponed and with gate money a key part of the income, the team were struggling. As of February, they had 12 members signed up, earning them £480, and with a target of £2,000, they were looking for more.

Mickleover chairman Tony Shaw said: “We were discussing our cash-flow after having games postponed and the real prospect that the bad weather would continue.

“Like many clubs at our level the bad weather had hit us hard and we needed a boost to our finances.

“I introduced the offer from BetBrightto our committee and we at first thought there must be a catch. To get £40 per new member for the club seemed too good to be true but there is no catch!”

How to sign up

1. Contact [email protected] with your club details

2. We will set you up on the www.betbright.com/grassroots page

3. Tell your fans to visit the page and open an account

4. Then every month we will pay you £40 for every new account who has staked £25 or more