Billingham Synthonia: Dentists donate £10k to save stricken club

Billingham Synthonia, here in white shorts playing West Auckland in 1995, was founded in 1923

A 99-year-old football club that was facing extinction has been saved by a local dental practice.

Billingham Synthonia, who play in the Northern League, had appealed for donations after their major investor withdrew funding.

Queensway Dental Group, which has been based in the town for 20 years, has donated £10,000.

Club chairman Paul Dolan said the money would secure The Synners future until the end of the season.

"I'm not ashamed to say it was a good job I was sat down [when he heard the news] and I did have a tear in my eye," he said.

"The mood from last week, we were dejected, down - this week, it's buoyant."

'Utterly humbled'

Dentist Dr Ian Lane said it was "just great to be able to support a local cause like this".

It had supported other charities and good causes in the past, he said, but this level of donation was "cutting edge" for the group.

"It's not a routine thing that we do," he said.

"Billingham Synthonia is a well-respected club at the heart of our community and the prospect of our local team's 99 years of club history abruptly ending meant a great deal to our team members and patients alike."

Billingham Synthonia (in quartered shirts) now have funds to last the season

Fundraising efforts had already gathered more than £5,000 towards the £10,000 target to keep the club afloat before Dr Lane stepped in.

Mr Dolan said he had been "totally and utterly humbled" by the community response.

"From the Thursday morning when the club statement went out [that the club was going to fold] the phone never stopped, the emails have never stopped and the messages have never stopped," he said.

Donations had come from as far afield as New York and Queensland, Australia, he added.

Middlesbrough legends Brian Clough, Bernie Slaven and Terry Cochrane all represented The Synners, who are set to celebrate their centenary in 2023.

When jokingly asked by Gary Philipson on BBC Radio Tees if the dental group's donation might mean he got a game for the club, Dr Lane replied: "My footballing skills used to get me the name of Toblerone feet when I was younger, so you definitely don't want me on the pitch."

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