Hawks’ play-off rivals ask fans for financial help towards cost of play-offs – and the response has been impressive

Two of Hawks’ National League South rivals have been asking fans for financial help to enable them to take part in the play-offs.
Bedsente Gomis in action during Hawks' 3-2 win against Weymouth in February. The Dorset club's fans have already raised £25,000 towards the Terras' play-off costs.Photo by Dave Haines/Portsmouth NewsBedsente Gomis in action during Hawks' 3-2 win against Weymouth in February. The Dorset club's fans have already raised £25,000 towards the Terras' play-off costs.Photo by Dave Haines/Portsmouth News
Bedsente Gomis in action during Hawks' 3-2 win against Weymouth in February. The Dorset club's fans have already raised £25,000 towards the Terras' play-off costs.Photo by Dave Haines/Portsmouth News

And the response from Weymouth and Slough supporters has been impressive.

Fans of the Dorset club have raised around £25,000 in a week towards the club’s anticipated play-off costs of £35,000.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Over £11,500 of that has come via a gofundme page - with one elderly fan, Dave Hunt, who first saw Weymouth play in the 60s, donating £300 - with other sizeable donations being received.

Slough launched their own fundraiser last week and, in the space of just three days, had raised £5,700 towards a £25,000 target.

Weymouth initially thought it would cost them £50,000 to take part in the play-offs based on information from the National League.

Included in that sum were the costs of testing 40 players and staff twice a week for five weeks at £125 per test.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

They have since found out they only needed to test once a week, and have also brought the cost of testing down - Hawks have also done the same.

Weymouth players had their first round of tests last week ahead of a return to training under the strict conditions of the protocol laid out by the government for the return of Elite Athletes to Sport.

Other costs include the deep cleaning of their Bob Lucas Stadium after each use including training, provision of PPE, hand sanitisers, alterations to the ground to provide one-way systems and zoning certain areas of the stand and concourse.

As they will be at home for the duration of the play-offs, Hawks have also had to do the same at Westleigh Park.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘We have been incredibly overwhelmed by your generosity,’ the Terras board said in a statement. ‘So far around £25,000 has been raised, which in a week is absolutely brilliant, but we must strive forward to raise the remainder.

‘From the bottom of our hearts thank you all so much for your support which has not only come from our fans but also members of the wider non-league community.’

In a statement issued to fans, Slough said taking part in the play-offs would come with a ‘large additional financial cost.

‘This not only includes the cost of testing for the entire squad and management team, but also the associated costs required in order to be fully compliant with the government’s covid-19 regulations.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘Whilst the club is run on a sound financial footing, we had started to plan and budget for next season well before the pandemic brought football to a halt, and competing in the play-offs risks potentially leaving ourselves with a large shortfall.

‘We are therefore calling on our supporters and local businesses to help at this critical time.

‘All donations will be very gratefully received and will help the club through these tough times. Any funds not used during the play-off campaign will be put towards the club’s budget for the 2020/21 season, during which we expect further financial challenges as the pandemic continues to impact non-league football.’

In the National League North, Chester FC have yet to confirm they will take part in the play-offs.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

York City, Boston United, Gateshead, Altrincham and Brackley Town have all said they will play.

Chester’s board were due to meet today to ratify their club's position.

Chairman Andrew Morris said at the end of last week: ‘We will only enter the play-offs if it is safe and financially viable to do so.

‘We have been working on a covid protocol with the National League and our nominated medical officer which identified the requirement to test 25 individuals over a three week period for us to be allowed to participate, this includes players and support staff.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

‘This testing costing alongside all other associated costs will then form a business case for the club's board to consider.’

In a superb display of fundraising, Chester’s fans have raised over £80,000 in just a fortnight - money, however, that was only planned to boost next season’s playing budget.

Donations can start from £5 per month, with anyone paying £20 a month allowed to choose a special ‘reward’ - either a pre-season team picture including themselves, an inscribed brick in a wall at The Deva Stadium, or the chance to pick the pre-match music at a home game.

Anyone paying £100 a month into the fund receives a raft of benefits, including a special meal with the club’s management team.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

While Weymouth have budgeted £35,000 to take part in the play-offs, North club York City fear the cost will be much more.

Chairman Jason McGill has suggested it could cost his club a large six-figure sum.

‘It will probably cost us £120,000 to £150,000 to bring the players off furlough and test them,’ said McGill. ‘But it would be doing a disservice to our supporters, manager, team and staff if we didn’t try for promotion after 80 per cent of the season.’

York were top of the North table when the season was halted. But they dropped to second place when the final table was decided by unweighted points per game, King’s Lynn leapfrogging them to the title.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Like Hawks, York are guaranteed home advantage throughout the play-offs. It will be their final game(s) at Bootham Crescent, as the club are moving to a brand new stadium they will share with York’s rugby league team.