Kentish Express Ashford & District
Clubs boosted by fundraising
Fans have been digging deep to help their football clubs through the coronavirus shutdown.
Football below the National League is over for the season but the bills need paying and supporter groups have taken it upon themselves to help.
The committee at Southern Counties East side Tunbridge Wells have raised over £3,000 towards an ambitious target of £20,000 in just over two weeks.
Even before coronavirus took hold, the club were struggling with cash flow due to a waterlogged pitch. Their last home game was on January 7.
Matchday income and bar receipts are their biggest income stream and to have been without those for such a long period has been “incredibly challenging” say the club.
Facing the possibility of half a year, at least, without matchday income the club say they are “now facing an existential threat,” which is unsustainable.
Hopes of raising £20,000 would replace income generated from the remaining 12 home league and cup fixtures, hosting of end-of-season cup finals and a music event ‘Party on the Pitch’.
They said: “We understand that this is a big ask. We are incredibly fortunate to be a well-supported club.
“From the hundreds who watch us on a Saturday, to the thousands who cheered us on at Wembley (in the 2013 FA Vase final), it is to you that we turn for help in securing the future of the club until the beginning of the new season and beyond. Any donation, large or small, would be gratefully received.”
Higher up the pyramid, Isthmian Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta have raised over £4,000.
Manager Neil Cugley is among those to have donated. They have lost revenue with the closure of Bar Invicta, along with matchday income.
Whitstable Town have raised their first £1,000 on the way to a target of £5,000 while Ramsgate fans have raised over £1,500 as they chase a £5,000 target.
Ramsgate said: “As many other clubs of our size have done, we are asking our local community for support through this extremely difficult time with any donations, no matter how small, gratefully received.”