August 12 – Maritsa Plovdiv, one of Bulgaria’s best-known clubs, is facing bankruptcy. After being relegated to the third league and the withdrawal of the club’s main sponsor, financial support for the club looks to have dried up.
The club said they held talks with potential sponsors and investors, but none have agreed to help the team financially. Now they have turned to the club’s fans and the football community in Bulgaria to help with donations so they can continue.
Maritsa Plovdiv was founded in 1921, with some of the biggest stars of Bulgarian football, including Hristo Stoichkov, Dinko Dermendzhiev, and Krasimir Chomakov being developed through the club’s academy.
In their appeal for support the club said: “PFK Maritsa 1921 Plovdiv appeals to all its supporters, to football lovers and to the entire public with a call for support!
“You probably know that the financial situation of the club is extremely difficult after the voluntary withdrawal of our financial benefactor. In recent months, the club’s management has contacted numerous companies in an attempt to secure funding, but so far these efforts have proved fruitless. It is for this reason that we appeal to all fans, as well as to all those who care about football, the development of children’s sports, and the education of adolescents. Our club is facing a battle for its existence, which is why we are launching a campaign.
“Anyone able and willing can donate in favor of the club with an amount at their discretion. Any help, even minimal, will be invaluable to us at this time. During its more than 100-year history, the club has helped thousands of its graduates to fulfil their childhood dreams, to feel the magic of football, and to touch sports happiness. PFC Maritsa has given a lot not only to Plovdiv, but also to Bulgarian football. Now the club needs help and support. We believe that you will not remain indifferent to our appeal!”
The club said that it guarantees full financial accountability as to how the funds will be spent.
“We turn to business again. We believe that social work and the cause of development and education of children are among your priorities. You can help the club in many ways – funding, covering overheads, transporting the representative team or children’s formations, providing equipment, advertising in the stadium or on the teams, maintaining the pitch or otherwise. We will be extremely grateful to anyone who responds in any way and supports the club at this difficult time,” ended the club statement.
Contact the writer of this story, Aleksander Krassimirov, at moc.l1734915836labto1734915836ofdlr1734915836owedi1734915836sni@o1734915836fni1734915836