I accept that paying off debt makes sense but money going straight into the clubs finances may be well spent but is ultimately lost. A reserve fund that can be dipped into when needed then paid back can be used time and again. That was the idea that I bought into.
There are many reasons why people may stop contributing in the future, change of circumstances, run of poor form by the club, feeling that they have done enough. If all the money is spent then they have nothing to show for it other than perhaps a few years of 'punching above our weight'.
Perhaps the Society money could be split, 50% to drive forward the club, 50% to build up the fund. I don't know what size that fund needs to be £250k? We could achieve that over the next five years based on the figures mentioned.