Parents Launch Campaign to Raise $50,000 for Framingham Soccer Club

A group of parents, whose children participate in the Framingham United Soccer Club’s U6 program, want to raise $50,000 for the 40-year old organization. They launched the campaign this morning, April 2.

In mid-February, the Club’s Board of Directors removed its treasurer from his position, after it was discovered more than $100,000 was missing from the organization’s accounts.

Last month, Framingham United Soccer Club President Rob Kirkpatrick said the former treasurer is now the focus of an investigation by the Middlesex District Attorney’s office. The DA’s office, per its policy, will not confirm or deny any investigation.

Money raised by the parents will be used to maintain and make significant repairs to soccer fields, said organizers. The money, while collected by parents, will be donated to Framingham United Soccer Club (FUSC).

Organizers hope not only Framingham United soccer families will donate but families, whose children participate in any youth sports.

More than 1,200 children, from preschool through high school, participated in the Framingham program last year. FUSC offers fall and spring soccer programs to Framingham residents.

To donate to the GoFundMe account, click here. (www.gofundme.com/qgg3fu8)

Framingham United Soccer Club, established as a Massachusetts non-profit corporation in May 1975, will celebrate its 40th season this spring.

Kirkpatrick said this 40th season, along with the popular Memorial Day soccer tournament, will go on, despite the financial issues facing the Club.

“While the breach resulted in substantial financial losses, Framingham United Soccer Club will persevere,” said Kirkpatrick.

“Framingham United Soccer Club is organized and run on a voluntary basis by dedicated people who have an interest in soccer, wish to promote the development of the sport, and want to provide a structured but enjoyable activity for its member players,” wrote organizers on the GoFundMe page.

“The Club is financed primarily by a Memorial Day tournament and member registration fees which are not increasing this season. The league has announced that they remain committed to providing scholarships to ensure that players are not denied participation based on financial need,” wrote parent Ali Conton, who is leading the group of parents.

Emails sent to soccer families in March and a release sent to the media, did not name the former treasurer nor did it state how much is missing from the Club’s account. But according to tax paperwork required to be filed annually, the treasurer for at least the past two years has been Scott C. Vermilya, a Framingham resident.

The non-profit Club is required to file financial statements annually. Framingham Patch obtained those documents yesterday, March 7, for the 2008-2013 tax years.

Money held in the Framingham United Soccer Club account comes from registration dues and fundraising, said Kirkpatrick.

In 2012, Framingham United Soccer Club brought in revenues of $256,000, according to the tax filing form (which is attached to this report.) Expenses listed in 2012 were $225,156, leaving the club with $33,270.

In 2013, according to tax paperwork filed on Nov. 14, of 2014, the Club brought in revenues of $243,270, and had expenses of $242,053. That left the club with $2,174.

Framingham Patch has learned that FUSC is investigating two checks written by the former treasurer for more than $50,000 each, and unauthorized and non-related soccer club credit card expenses charged by the former treasurer.

Framingham Patch has confirmed with a half dozen of sources, the amount in question is at least six figures, but no one on the Club’s Board has released a specific dollar amount. The Club has bank accounts with both Framingham Co-Operative Bank and MutualOne Bank.

Vermilya was also listed as the sponsorship coordinator for the 2012, 2013, and 2014 Framingham United Memorial Soccer Tournament.

The 2014 Memorial Day tournament, was the Club’s 33rd annual event. During the 2013 tournament, soccer games were payed on 17 fields at four location in Framingham attracting more than 5,000 players, families, coaches and spectators. The tournament is the Club’s biggest annual fundraiser.

In Mid-February, the Framingham United Soccer Club voted to name Alex Braverman (a long serving Framingham United Soccer Club volunteer and former President and treasurer of the Board, and current member of the Board of Trustees, and coach) as interim treasurer.

The Club‘s Board also is implementing an action plan to recover from the theft, imposing new financial controls, consulting with a CPA firm to review its accounting procedures, and cooperating fully with the Middlesex District Attorney’s Office, said Kirkpatrick.