In the last edition of the Interval, I picked up on the theme of despondency regarding the future of speakers' clubs. Numbers are dropping, capitation is up – what are we to do?

As a young man, I loved playing football. Football wasn't just my hobby, it was my life. I lived and dreamed football. I trained Tuesdays and Thursdays and played Saturdays and Sundays. All my other commitments slotted in between. My first trip abroad as a 15 year old was to Canada on a football tour. As one of four teenage boys, my parents could not afford to finance this great adventure. This resulted in the usual teenage rebellions and sulking but it changed nothing, so I found a job stacking shelves twice a week.

It was my first brush with financial reality and it helped me to focus on what I really wanted. I realised that I was prepared to stop at nothing as far of my love of football was concerned.

When I left school and started playing open age football, I was staggered by the cost involved. Membership subscriptions, accident insurance and travel costs were reducing my meagre wage packet. But that was just for playing – we also had to cover the cost of referees and club football kits. While others were in the bar relaxing after the game I found myself selling name cards, pushing raffle tickets and organizing discos.

I am not an economist, but it was plainly clear that the club's membership subscription did not cover the costs. We needed to raise money and find sponsorship from other sources just to balance the books. We were a voluntary organization and we had to do it for ourselves - nobody would hand it us on a plate.

When I joined Speakers of Bromley five years ago, the club had some money but not many members. In footballing terms, there's no point in having in having money in the bank while the club is in danger of relegation. I'm sure that Chelsea fans would always want to see their assets out on the pitch and not on the balance sheet.

In my first year as club President I spent our reserves on marketing and raising the club's profile in the voluntary sector. The club's web site has paid for itself many times over. We have had three successive grants from Bromley Arts Council and Awards for All. This financial stability means that we never talk about money – we are out of the cap-trap, so we focus our energy solely on the development of speakers.

Your club is possibly your town's best kept secret. How many of us have remarked on the fact that we wished we had known about speakers clubs when we were younger?

If I can help you or your club, please feel free to contact me. I look forward to hearing from you.

Alternatively look to our web site to find out more about our club.

Vince Stevenson – District Vice President – South-East District