Liam Daish Pic: Steve Butler

Liam Daish’s gentlemen’s evening with former European Cup winner Kenny Burns was successful in raising much-needed club funds, according to Ebbsfleet director Jessica McQueen.

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The event took place last Friday at the Best Western Manor Hotel in Gravesend and is believed to have raised more than £3,000 to boost the Stonebridge Road coffers.

“Friday went very well and I would just like to thank everyone who attended the night,” said Daish.

“I appreciate all their efforts and for the people that turned up, I hope they enjoyed themselves.”

McQueen added: “It was very well attended and such was the response we are now looking at trying to arrange another guest speaker.

Plans

“Fans have also expressed a wish for a golf day, and plans for that are already going ahead for some time in June.”

But following the function’s success, McQueen admits the postponement of Saturday’s home Blue Square Bet Premier game with Alfreton Town came as a disappointment and had an adverse effect on their finances.

Home matches on a Saturday are traditionally one of the club’s main sources of income and Ebbsfleet have just four remaining between now and the end of the season.

Blow

“We worked so hard to get the game on and it was a real blow to have it called off,” she said.

“We had people working on the pitch but unfortunately the referee had to make that decision.

“There is a big difference in the revenue from a Saturday game, compared to a Tuesday night one. Even some of the season-ticket holders don’t make it to game which takes place in midweek.

“We are in competition with the comfort of your own home, plus televised football, whereas on a Saturday it is tradition to go to a local match at three o’clock and for the locals to be home by 6pm.

“You miss those that have work as well and it all has an effect on the revenue we get.”

McQueen also expressed concerns that, with two games a week now scheduled for the majority of the season, a number of fans may have to cherry-pick which matches they can afford to attend.

“If you now look at the calendar, we are playing Saturday, Tuesday, Saturday, Tuesday and that isn’t very good for the club with the team being part-time, plus the fact some fans cannot afford to go to two games a week,” she added.

McQueen also revealed they are still to receive the £6,000 prize money from their previous FA Trophy victory against Chester, and admits that money carries extra significance to a club like Ebbsfleet.

“You are supposed to receive it after all the games in that round are completed, but so far we have not seen it,” she said.

“£6,000 is a lot of money in our situation, and the FA has said it is an administrative error. I only hope we are able to receive the money soon.”