Darlington supporters raise £45,000 in just three weeks for next season’s playing budget

Darlington FC Supporters Group launched Boost The Budget 2018/19 last month and is calling on Darlington FC fans everywhere to help increase the funds available to manager Tommy Wright for next season.
In just three weeks, £45,000 from 199 people has been raised and now the target is to reach 300 investors as well as £80,000.
More than 180 people boosted the playing budget throughout the 2017/18 season raising £40,000, mostly via affordable weekly or monthly pledges.
The Supporters Group is hoping to raise £80,000 by inviting fans to pledge what they can, with proceeds raised added into Wright’s budget for the Quakers’ assault on the 2018/19 National League North.
A deadline of April 30th has been set to  allow Wright to get his ideal squad into place as soon as possible.
Fans across the world can make pledges in exchange for a variety of money-can’t-buy Quakers’ experiences – for example designing a 2019/20 home kit, being assistant kit man for the day or even having your own gif goal celebration played out on the official Darlo twitter account.
Supporters Group Chair, Chris Stockdale, said: “Over the last few months Tommy Wright has quickly put together an exciting squad with a great mix of senior pros and talented younger players.
“The recent run of results – we have lost just once in eleven matches — shows this approach is working. As a fan-owned club Boost The Budget (Not to be confused with acca site BookieBoost) is key to both allowing Tommy to put together a strong squad for next season and continue to invest in our younger talent who are already attracting interest from clubs higher up the pyramid.
“Without Boost The Budget, Tommy will inevitably have a much reduced budget next season, because a core principle of fan ownership is a prudent financial strategy. I hope the fans will get behind the scheme and take advantage of the great range of rewards we have put together.”
Wright is giving the initiative his full support, and said; “I really appreciate the help of our generous supporters. I believe that I have a good squad at the moment, and with continued financial backing into next season, I believe that I can build a better one.
“Obviously with the way I’ve invested currently in the squad, I’m always looking for a bit of a return. I won’t be wasting our supporters’ money, I see it as an investment in the future.”
To support Boost The Budget you can make a pledge online at the dedicated fundraising platform http://fundraising.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup.org/pitches/boost-the-budget-18-19or forms will be available for offline donations both in Quaker Retail and at the fans’ table during the remaining home games at Blackwell Meadows. Any queries please email [email protected].