The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Boss calls support for club ‘humbling’
John McGlynn admits he is staggered by the generosity of Raith Rovers supporters as the Fife outfit race towards double their original fundraising target.
And the former Hearts and Livingston boss believes similar gestures will be required to ensure all clubs survive the coronavirus crisis.
Rovers launched a scheme last Tuesday that allows fans to donate cash in a bid to combat the shortfall created by the lack of gate receipts and hospitality events during the current hiatus.
The original goal was £25,000 and the Raith hierarchy was stunned when that milestone was reached within 48 hours.
That number has now been changed to a more ambitious £50,000 but they are swiftly approaching the new objective, with the total standing at close to £43,000 yesterday afternoon.
“Every SPFL club is going to face struggles – as will a lot of folk outside football – so it’s a massive thanks to every Raith fan who has contributed,” said the Stark’s Park gaffer.
“It’s very humbling that people are willing to put their hands in their pockets to ensure their football club can survive when it is such a difficult time up and down the country.”
Similar fundraising initiatives have been put in place at clubs such as Dunfermline Athletic, East Fife, Edinburgh City and Stirling Albion, while many sides are also weighing up joining Hearts, Inverness, Dumbarton and Elgin City in adjusting or deferring salaries.
“We’ve seen a number of clubs employ similar strategies already and I think more and more will need to go down that route,” added McGlynn.
“For the good of Scottish football, I hope that the other clubs can be equally fortunate and get backed so that we can emerge from this with all our teams intact and get back to playing football again.”