At the end of a particularly complex exercise due to the rise to National 2 (in the 2024-2025 season), both administratively, financially and sports-wise, the football club reacted in a statement. A “cash flow tension” had already been hinted at in September during the Anglet municipal council meeting, where an advance of 100,000 euros was voted on the annual subsidy of 225,000 euros.
How to explain this situation? “Part of it comes from the promotion to National 2 from the previous season and our descent to N3, but that doesn’t explain everything,” replied Bruno Vignes, now co-president of the club. “It’s true that this year has been particularly challenging, more expensive than other seasons with very significant traveling. We covered 29,000 kilometers, we have the record in France among N2 teams in terms of journeys. They cost a lot: over 100,000 euros. Today, we have taken the necessary measures to try to quickly restore the financial situation of the club. We will see at the end of the year what the financial watchdog says,” said the co-leader. The problem is: the end of the year is almost upon us… considering that the football season is taken into account until June.
“To improve its finances, the club with 760 licensed members has made efforts: “We have significantly reduced, since December, the payroll, by eliminating match bonuses for the entire club. Not just for the first team, but also for the women’s team and the R2 (Regional 2 team) as well,” traveled by minibus. The supervisors are also drivers.
“The spirit is good. Everyone is rolling up their sleeves and trying to find solutions,” underlined Pierre Gourgues, a member of the club’s management committee in charge of partnerships and events. “I’ve been at the Genêts club since I was a kid. We have never had financial problems. Today [with the economic context], it has become more difficult to find money. We fight, we are fully committed every day, we are all volunteers,” he added, hoping to find private partnerships.
With its team of about thirty dedicated volunteers, the club organizes various events to replenish the coffers. From one lottery and one garage sale per year, the Genêts have moved to two lotteries, including one at the Anglet Christmas fair, which was described as “an exceptional success,” and three garage sales. The next garage sale is set for this Sunday, April 12th, in the covered parking lot of the BAB2 shopping center in Anglet. With a new feature: the opening of the upper level of the parking lot allowing a total of 600 exhibitors.
“For the association’s finances, it’s great – already we have sold 360 spots, which is a local record,” emphasized Pierre Gourgues early in April, while other registrations were still expected. The Genêts could also have a stand at the arrival in May, in Anglet, of the Passem, a relay race in favor of the Gascon language. These events require commitment.
“A serious and family-oriented club”
“Beyond the number of volunteers, we are lucky to have a family-oriented, historic animation team, with friends,” noted Nolwenn Collin, co-president of the club. “Especially nowadays, finding volunteers is becoming complicated,” she continued. In this dynamic context, what are the prospects before the review by the DNCG? “I hope they will take into account our efforts to quickly get back on track and that it will go well,” answered Bruno Vignes.
