Club and Community Football.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Taken from Clubs official site:


Football Pathway at King’s Lynn Town FC and Clarification of the pathways into our various teams
July 2, 2020

It has come to our attention recently that several parents have been confused  and thought that the program offered by ‘King’s Lynn Community Football’ had a connection to the football club when nothing could be further from the truth; the club has decided to explain the situation fully and clarify the actual pathways that exists at King’s Lynn Town FC.

 

When the old football club collapsed in 2009, a vacuum was created.  KLCF (Kings Lynn Community Football) which was originally formed in 2002, then ran as a separate entity to the football club from that point onwards. The club reformed in 2010 with Buster Chapman taking over the helm.  At that time the club had a lot to sort out and it could not manage to run a youth set up as well as all the other numerous jobs that needed to be done.

 

Buster sold the club to Stephen Cleeve in 2016 and Stephen had discussions with Dan Buhlemann  and others at King’s Lynn Elite as the Elite was keen to have a link up with the club.  In Stephen’s second season the Community football scheme asked to play in King’s Lynn Town FC’s shirts and they also asked the club to help them on the financial side and so Robert Back the Director of Football found the Community scheme a sponsor.

 

However, after a season had passed it became clear to the football club that the coaching and development of the players was simply not good enough and that the fees being charged were far too high given that the community scheme is a charity.  Equally those children that came from challenging backgrounds and could not afford to pay were unable to play which is totally against the philosophy of the football club and Stephen Cleeve.  Whilst we tried in the background to change things it soon became clear that the Community football scheme had their own agenda and in some cases were very antagonistic towards the club and we are aware of one staff member who would love nothing more than the club to fail.  It all came to a head when the club started it’s own academy and members of the Kings Lynn Community Football trust came to our student evening and although they had no reason to be there, they tried to disrupt proceedings by behaving in what we believe to be an erratic manner.

 

Whilst we have done a lot to support King’s Lynn Community Football in the past, that aid will now cease and there will be no further pathways into our club teams from the Elite/Community schemes.  We understand that parents are confused at the Community Football website which gives the impression that they are part of the club by using our Trademark badge (permission has not been granted) and by posting photos of players at our football stadium from days when we were trying to work together.  We will ask the Community to take down the clubs badge and make it clear on their home page that they have no connection or affiliation with the football club.

 

After discussions with all football managers and directors at King’s Lynn Town FC we have decided to formally cease all ties and any pathways that did exist into our youth set up and first team no longer exist.

 

As a club we are very sad that thing's have ended this way. However, when an olive branch is offered out and returned , broken in two, we felt we were left with little option but to take the above actions.

[Nemesis]

and the response from the KLCF Facebook page:

Dear Players, Parents & Supporters
It has come to our attention that King’s Lynn Town Football Club have today issued a statement regarding the links between KLCF and themselves.
We are greatly saddened, disappointed and disheartened at the many untruths and assertions contained within this article.
As many of you will know, King’s Lynn Community Football was set up in 2002 thanks to the assistance of many local agencies, organisations, schools and businesses with grants and support from the Football Foundation, Borough Council and West Norfolk Partnership. KLCF sadly lost its office at the town football club when this went into administration in 2009 and is indebted to the organisations, businesses and Trustees that supported it through this difficult period.
KLCF is a not-for-profit organisation run self-sustainably and independently for the benefit of its users. Charitable status was gained in 2014 and we run several programmes within the local community, schools and college supporting and providing opportunities for children, young people and adults to play sport and football at all levels and ability.
The scheme endeavours to form strong links within football, both with professional and semi-professional clubs locally and further afield. KLCF has in turn acted as a feeder from its own elite and development programmes to these clubs as well as nurturing and supporting coach development. We would hope that our results speak for themselves.
We are saddened by this article on many levels, not least by the impact on our many players we endeavour to provide opportunities for but also for our coaches who have given their time, energy and enthusiasm to supporting the town football club over so very many years.
We would wish King’s Lynn Town Football Club every success with their new venture and hope that we may again enjoy a close working relationship with them at some point in the future.
We would like to thank all our key stakeholders, West Norfolk Schools Sports Partnership, Alive West Norfolk, The College of West Anglia, Double G Clothing, local schools, parents, players, volunteers and employees together with our tireless Trustees for their on-going support and commitment.
We look forward to welcoming back participants to all our sessions; whether in schools, college, football, holiday or partner activities, once it is safe to do so.
Best wishes and stay safe
KLCF

[Kevin Holland]

That's a shame.

[Frontman]

Wait until the Club goes bust; or Stephen Cleeve walks!!
As always in the past50 years the debt sits with so many business's in the area!!
You note Stephen doesn't have any local connection!!
Ian Culverhouse to coach the Academy!!  That's interesting from where he lives!!
Front line advertising bull****!
The Community Scheme was set up in 2002 and we worked our socks off to gain the funding help nationally to get up and go!
You have a very hard working team of coaches, with Buhly!  IThey care for levels from the age of 5-6-7 years old!!

[Frontman]

Nemesis;   who wrote that load of rubbish?  Just denigrate the Kings Lynn Community Football scheme, to enhance their chances of grooming gullible parents and kids onto the money making scheme!!  I am flabbergasted  that my old school with wonderful history, has been duped into allowing a link to this scheme! So many untruths have been advertised on their promotion of the scheme. It has been tried before; only to die a death, leaving kids heartbroken!
Oh; and Ian Culverhouse coaching the students!!  We will see!!  One session!!

[Mallard]

Surely with a Coach of the standing and ability of IC it is a must to tap into that skill.

Kings Lynn now has a team that is now at the highest level of Non League.  When was the last time we had the privilege?   

Think it is important for the Town to have a direct connection to The Club and all that it can now offer.

[Blue_and_Gold]

Kings Lynn now has a team that is now at the highest level of Non League.  When was the last time we had the privilege?   

Mid 1950's.

[Captain Sensible]

Let's go to war again!
Predictable as ever and proof if needed that this someone lacks the personable and business skills so badly needed at the Club.
Success on the field for the Club has been gained by two main elements.The money that has been loaned to  the Club to enable it to punch well above its financial weight and being lucky enough to regain the services of Culverhouse.The first is down to the Chairman, and I don't think that should be seen as any sort of endorsement of him.As far as I can see,he's never declared how he expects the Club ever to be in a position to repay this amount.The debt,and whichever way you look at it that's what is is,is now horrendous for a club our size.It's not a gift and won't be until its written of by the creditor.This is the Achilles heal of the Club.Be careful what you wish for.
The second element of the on field success,the return of Culverhouse was entirely down to other people at the Club.Remember that Cleeves answer to the departure of Culverhouse was bringing Clarke in.What a joke that was!
With regards to the subject of this post,Mr Cleeve should try to understand that he controls Kings Lynn Football Club.He does NOT control football in Kings Lynn!
I really do question the ability to work harmoniously with anyone.Does the Club really ever look at the bigger picture when they respond in this manner? Apparently they are trying to get more sponsors and advertisers on board,and more people through the gate.They must realise that issuing statements such as this  are counter productive.Many potential sponsors or advertisers will see this continual abbrasive attitude towards others when things don't go the way a certain individual wants them to, and will just not want to be associated with the Club because of it.You don't have to be a genius to work that one out!You need to make friends and not create enemies.
If the Club does not want to work with others for whatever reason,then that's down to them.It's pointless posting something such as this just to try and prove a point or to get a reaction so to be able to go on Twitter again to try and prove how important one is(fail).
You don't wash your dirty linen in public!
My biggest disappointment with this current episode at the Club is the endorsement of all this by certain local boys involved at the Club.All managers and Directors are apparently in agreement with this according to the piece on the Clubs website. Even if they do really  believe that the Club should break ties with Community Football,despite their previous history with them,I really don't think they should have been involved with this method of communicating this news.
A case of some people being more concerned with protecting their positions at the Club than doing the right thing?If so,shame on you.If not,I and many others look forward to seeing or hearing their individual comments on the matter.

[Dilligaf]

100% agree captain...particularly with the last paragraph. Well said sir....  As for tapping into IC's skills...it will imo happen for one session...2 if they're lucky...

[Mallard]

Is this press release the work of SC or from the Clubs Press Officer ? I guess it’s would just need rubber stamping by SC.   

I guess either way both are involved.   Colours firmly nailed to the mast there.

[TonyM]

Another bridge well and truly burnt, although it wasn't that solid before SC put a match to it with the release of that statement.  There is usually blame on both sides when things get to this stage but SC does seem particularly good at turning a disagreement into a situation that looks completely irreparable whilst he remains at the club.

Whether some of those with SC's ear have tried to steer him to a different course, possibly, but I don't get the impression that he is easily turned so maybe they are just 'picking their battles' so I wouldn't direct too much negativity in their direction and certainly wouldn't expect to hear from them as don't see what would be gained at all.

[Chilvers Gordon]

Let's go to war again!
Predictable as ever and proof if needed that this someone lacks the personable and business skills so badly needed at the Club.
Success on the field for the Club has been gained by two main elements.The money that has been loaned to  the Club to enable it to punch well above its financial weight and being lucky enough to regain the services of Culverhouse.The first is down to the Chairman, and I don't think that should be seen as any sort of endorsement of him.As far as I can see,he's never declared how he expects the Club ever to be in a position to repay this amount.The debt,and whichever way you look at it that's what is is,is now horrendous for a club our size.It's not a gift and won't be until its written of by the creditor.This is the Achilles heal of the Club.Be careful what you wish for.
The second element of the on field success,the return of Culverhouse was entirely down to other people at the Club.Remember that Cleeves answer to the departure of Culverhouse was bringing Clarke in.What a joke that was!
With regards to the subject of this post,Mr Cleeve should try to understand that he controls Kings Lynn Football Club.He does NOT control football in Kings Lynn!
I really do question the ability to work harmoniously with anyone.Does the Club really ever look at the bigger picture when they respond in this manner? Apparently they are trying to get more sponsors and advertisers on board,and more people through the gate.They must realise that issuing statements such as this  are counter productive.Many potential sponsors or advertisers will see this continual abbrasive attitude towards others when things don't go the way a certain individual wants them to, and will just not want to be associated with the Club because of it.You don't have to be a genius to work that one out!You need to make friends and not create enemies.
If the Club does not want to work with others for whatever reason,then that's down to them.It's pointless posting something such as this just to try and prove a point or to get a reaction so to be able to go on Twitter again to try and prove how important one is(fail).
You don't wash your dirty linen in public!
My biggest disappointment with this current episode at the Club is the endorsement of all this by certain local boys involved at the Club.All managers and Directors are apparently in agreement with this according to the piece on the Clubs website. Even if they do really  believe that the Club should break ties with Community Football,despite their previous history with them,I really don't think they should have been involved with this method of communicating this news.
A case of some people being more concerned with protecting their positions at the Club than doing the right thing?If so,shame on you.If not,I and many others look forward to seeing or hearing their individual comments on the matter.

Perhaps the plug will be pulled on this less than 48 HOURS before it fires up exactly as the ACADEMY was last season. Leaving all those that were signed up to then be without their promised coaching and football education. What did they do? Several went along to the College of West Anglia and joined the Sports Complex so that they could continue their education and football coaching otherwise they would of been up s**t creek without a paddle. I wonder if their parents were ever refunded their signing up fee by KLTFC?

[Mallard]

Hopefully after last years failed attempt the Club will have learnt lessons and this time around be much better prepared.   

Has to be a good opportunity for young lads to work under Ian Culverhouse.  Has it been stated how many days a week he will be working with the players or are the club just using him as a figurehead to draw in the young lads ?

[KES80]

https://www.kltown.co.uk/single-post/2020/07/09/Town-announce-new-coaching-structure

[NORMSKI]

Really interesting list of coaches with lots of experience in various roles to bring young players through. Future of the club below 1st X1 looks in good hands and onwards and upwards.