Weekly News - 1/4/20
Matlock supporters cannot cheer on their favourites from the terraces, but they along with other football fans are doing their best to help the Gladiators out financially now the 2019/20 BetVictor NPL campaign has been brought to a premature end.
As the Covid-19 outbreak continues to grow, Matlock have missed out on precious matchday income as they still had six home league games to play when the FA announced the end of the season for clubs in step three and below of the non league pyramid.
Their fans asked if they could help to bridge the gap and the Gladiators launched their Just Giving Crowd Funding page on social media with the aim of raising £15,000 to help bridge the gap from the income from the non played games. One of those fixtures was the highly lucrative visit from title chasing FC United of Manchester which, with the Reds’ healthy travelling following, would almost certainly have attracted a crowd of around 1,500 to the Proctor Cars Stadium.
Such has been the generosity of fans, the club is a third of the way to that £15,000 figure with £5,065 having been raised with 157 people donating by 9 pm on Tuesday night.
“The response to date has been absolutely fantastic and our grateful thanks go to everyone who has contributed” said Chairman Tom Wright.
“We appreciate that this outbreak has far reaching consequences and the club sends its condolences to the families and friends of anyone who has passed away as a result of this pandemic. We’re also conscious that our football club is an integral part of the local community, hundreds of people enjoy coming to the Proctor Cars Stadium to watch the team and the response shows just what the football club means to a great lot of people. These are testing times for us all but we’d like to be in a position where we’re ready to take to the field again, whenever that may be so If people are able to spare some cash, whatever amount, we’d be delighted to receive your donation.”
Manager Paul Phillips echoed his Chairman’s thoughts.
“It’s been absolutely fantastic and I’d like to thank everyone who has donated. I’d also like to thank James (Griffiths) for spearheading the scheme and everyone behind the scenes. It shows what a good set of fans Matlock have and the hard work that goes on behind the scenes. FC United of Manchester have set up a similar scheme and have raised a similar amount but have nearly two thousand fans watching them every week. I hope we can achieve our goal although times are hard for everyone but if we can keep the donations coming in it not only helps us keep our head above water with regard to paying the bills but gives us a better chance of getting a better side out there on the pitch. We’ve encouraged all of the players and staff to contribute”.
Donations can be made via the following link
https:/www.justgiving.comcrowdfunding/donatetothegatemtfc
Matlock Town have hailed the outstanding work being undertaken in the NHS during the Covid-19 outbreak by offering a free season ticket for the next campaign to any holder of NHS ID.
Gladiators Vice-Chairman Bryn Apperley says that it is important that NHS workers receive full recognition as they work in unprecedented and difficult times, risking their lives to help others.
“What the NHS are doing is tremendous. In these uncertain times it’s good to know they are there. We’ve no financial backing to offer but when we’re playing we can offer a good game of football at one of the nicest grounds with the nicest people in the country.”
Adult season tickets were priced at £180 for the 2019/20 campaign. NHS workers can obtain their free season ticket by visiting the club shop when season tickets go on sale before the start of next season.
Ian Richardson