SUPPORTERS of newly promoted National League South club Walton & Hersham have launched a campaign calling on Elmbridge Borough Council and Places Leisure to offer the club a more favourable deal at their Walton-on-Thames home.

The campaign is focused on the football club receiving a share of bar revenue from home matches, with supporters arguing the current arrangement is restricting its ability to grow and compete.

As part of the campaign, fans are being urged to boycott the bar at the club’s home game on August 29.

Mick Moriarty, chair of the supporters club, said Places Leisure operates the bars at home matches but the football club receives none of the sales income.

“Places Leisure provide the bars at the home games and make an absolute fortune at every time, a fortune they would not be making if the club was not there.

“The football club does not get a penny of these sales, sales that have increased significantly every season with the continued increases in attendance and success of the football club. 

“The ambition of the football club is to continue to grow with just two promotions away from the football league, which is a huge achievement for a community club. 

“We feel the football club will be unable to fulfil those ambitions if these barriers to our success remain in place.”

Walton & Hersham secured promotion to the National League South last season and are now two promotions away from the Football League.

Moriarty said the current arrangement could hinder the club’s ambitions, while also pointing to concerns over facilities at the ground.

“We have other issues as well with facilities that really need to be improved as the club grows, but key to this campaign is that Elmbridge Council and Places make a start with improving the game by game bar income issues”, he added.

Moriarty also called for Elmbridge to follow the example of other councils by recognising the wider benefits of supporting local football clubs.

“Other councils actively support their local football clubs because they recognise the economic, social and community benefits they bring. 

“Elmbridge should do the same.

“Our message to supporters is stand with us in this demand, see you on the 29th.”