Brentford Football Club supporters want to give the Club's new manager the best chance of moving away from the relegation zone by pledging cash to pay the wages of any additions to the first team squad the new manager might want to make during the January transfer window.
The idea originated on one of the supporters' message boards (the Griffin Park Grapevine). It was started by a long-standing supporter who originally asked supporters to match his £150 pledge to build a fighting fund for the new manager. Funds have started to pour into to the appeal. Coordinator Andy Evans said, "With the Club in dire financial straits, we want to give the new manager the opportunity to bring in fresh players if he so chooses. We have launched our appeal called "Fighting Chance" and ask all supporters to donate as much as they can to the cause. The initial response has been fantastic, with over £8,000 pledged, but we need a lot more to make a real impact."
Club Supporter Director, Jon Gosling, said, "It would be easy for supporters to sit back and moan about the team's plight. Our supporters are not like that. They have backed the Supporters' trust to take over the Club in January and now they are doing the same with the team. By choosing the title 'Fighting Chance' it shows just how determined they are to help move us up the league table. I ask all supporters to back this appeal. In this spirit I'll be asking the Club board at this Thursday's board meeting to participate as well. This is the time to pull together behind the team not only financially but also vocally. So I also ask all supporters to join the Appeal and come along in numbers to our next home game, against Doncaster Rovers, on 5 December and really make that difference count. "
For press enquiries call Peter Gilham on 020 8380 9916
The Appeal has set out a number of criteria for the use of funds:
- Money will only be made available following the appointment of a new first team manager and the expenditure will be at their sole discretion.
- It must be used in the January 2007 transfer window for new players on loan, not currently at the Club.
- If the manager does not use the money it will be held in the Supporters' Trust's (Bees United) Player Fund and only released with agreement of the Appeal's Coordinating Committee.
Donations to the Fighting Chance Appeal can be made:
- By post (no cash) to c/o Paul Stedman, Players Fund, Griffin Park, Brentford, TW8 0NT. Cheques or money orders should be made payable to "Fighting Chance". All donations will be ring-fenced specifically for Fighting Chance.
- A web site for donations, www.fightingchance.org.uk will be live from Friday (1 December). Meanwhile see http://www.griffinpark.org for current details.
- Cash can be given to the Bees United matchday bucket collectors, in envelopes marked "Fighting Chance".