Newcastle Panthers

Speaking about what the grant meant to Newcastle Panthers, Joel Greenwell, club secretary explained:

"We are the only friendly football team for LGBT people in the Northeast. So, we really do provide that kind of hub and safe space for people to come along and be themselves. Our club also provides a really excellent social opportunity for often quite people who can sometimes feel a bit isolated or a bit excluded and it brings together like-minded people a really good group of friends."

"The Cash4Club's funding is really exciting for us and we're so grateful. It really does go such a long way to making our club what it is today."

The timing of this year’s funding is critical. According to a recent study *40% of adult grassroots sports clubs are cancelling services because of financial pressures. More alarmingly, a quarter don't believe they will remain financially sustainable beyond the next 12 months without external funding.

This research underscores the vital role schemes like Cash4Clubs play in keeping community sport alive – with many of the winning clubs in 2026 revealing details of their struggle to cover basic running costs, their inability to invest in equipment or facilities, with some admitting they were at risk of closing their doors entirely.