Wroxham are in the running for an energy efficiency make-over worth up to �40,000 after impressing in a national survey organised by FA Cup sponsors E.ON.
The Yachtsmen have long taken the subject of energy conservation seriously and already have solar panels to provide hot water for their showers. When E.ON announced the competition to encourage sensible use of resources, several supporters nominated Wroxham and secretary Chris Green was delighted to hear the club were one of ten to be shortlisted.
Last week an energy survey was carried out and the club are waiting to hear whether they are the winners of the �40k makeover in round one of the compeition. If they miss out there is a still chance to win in the second round, which has a deadline of January 9.
An E.ON survey has revealed that lower level football clubs are needlessly wasting about �12m a year on energy. On average, clubs could save up to 30pc on their yearly energy bills by making just a few basic energy saving changes and updating old appliances. The study, entitled A Review of Energy Use in Amateur Football in the UK, commissioned by the energy company, set out to investigate the size and attitudes towards energy usage within UK amateur football clubs. The report showed that clubs are using energy costing �40m a year.
Clubs with their own premises have an average energy bill typically around �3,500 – in most cases a significant proportion of their yearly outgoings.
The study also researched lower level football's attitudes and habits towards energy usage and found that, in the main, they are indifferent at best. In most cases, energy usage is rarely thought about or discussed and seen purely as a necessary cost.
The main areas in which energy is consumed across football clubs are refrigeration, general lighting, heating, floodlighting, hot water and hospitality.
• Wroxham's much postponed tie in the Norfolk Senior Cup against Cromer was due to be played at Trafford Park tonight but was called off yesterday and will now be played on January 8, weather permitting.
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