'Success on the pitch brings us nearer to folding'
'Success on the pitch brings us nearer to folding'
Joshua Askew & Zac Sherratt - South EastFri, August 7, 2026 at 5:05 AM UTC
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Calogero Scannella (pictured) took co-ownership of a club after graduating
A man who helped transform the fortunes of his local football team after he became one of the youngest owners in the sport said the club is now fighting for survival.
Calogero Scannella took co-ownership of Surrey-based Walton & Hersham FC in 2019, when the club was about to be relegated to the 10th tier in English football.
After securing promotion to the sixth tier National League South for the first time in its history earlier this year - the club appears to be flying high.
But Scannella told BBC Radio Surrey: "With every success on the football pitch, we get one step closer to almost closing the doors."
Aged 19 at the time and fresh out of university, Scannella and a group of friends brought the Swans, as they are known, before significantly boosting the profile of the club, which has more than one million followers on TikTok.
"The team's gone from around 30 spectators each game to about 800," Scannella said.
"From the day that I took over to now, you would not recognise it."
Walton & Hersham are known as the swans
In 2026, the club was crowned champions of the Southern League Premier South, earning promotion to the National League South for the first time in its history.
Ten years before they were relegated to the Combined Counties Football League Premier Division.
"But the club itself is still struggling," Scannella added.
"People... might say: (Promotion) is great, hundreds more fans each week."
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However, Scannella said that the more successful a football club is, the higher its costs, including paying players and staff, alongside other operating costs.
One particular issue for Walton & Hersham FC, Scannella said, was that it was not able to collect revenues from food or beverages on matchdays.
He said such takings were up to 60% - 70% of some clubs' revenue.
Scannella said the money instead goes to Places Leisure, which operates the Xcel Sports Hub where they play.
Scannella has warned the club may not survive long
Places Leisure said it was "actively working with Elmbridge Borough Council and Walton & Hersham FC to discuss various options" on how it can support the club.
This included "reviewing catering offerings and commercial arrangements", it said.
"We recognise the important role Walton & Hersham FC plays within the local community and are committed to supporting the club's continued growth and long-term success, while balancing the needs of all users of the site."
The company operates more than 90 facilities across the UK, according to its website.
Scannella added that food and beverage takings would make "all the difference".
He added: "If things stay as they are right now... I couldn't even say [if the club will last a year]."
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Meet 'the world's youngest football club owners'
Related internet links
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Walton & Hersham Football Club
Elmbridge Borough Council
Places Leisure
Source: “AOL Money”
