Benefactor boost after fourth raid

A mystery benefactor and an online campaign by fans is lifting spirits at Spalding United after the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's Tulips suffered yet another raid by mindless thieves and vandals.

After three break-ins in the last two weeks, the Tulips were hit again on Monday night when burglars broke into their bar's cellar and cleared much of the stock ahead of Tuesday’s 2-1 defeat at home to AFC Rushden & Diamonds in EVO-STIK NPL First Division South.

The benefactor, whose pledged £250 and fans, who're backing a justgiving crowdfunding campaign to raise at least £500, came forward to help after Spalding United chairman Andrew Gay admitted he'd come close to quitting last week after the third raid caused thousands of pounds of damage at their Sir Halley Stewart Field home, pictured.

Boosted by the gesture, he told spaldingtoday.co.uk on Wednesday: “Today I had somebody contact me and they restored my faith by putting £250 into the social club bank account, which is absolutely fantastic of them. It just goes to show that for all the idiots of there, there’s a lot of good, genuine people.”

Supporter James Langford set up the online campaign on the fundraising site for good causes after learning that goods stolen had even included the contents of the Lincolnshire club's charity box.

In a statement on his fundraising page, the fan posted: "After a spate of recent break-ins let's show some support to the efforts of Andy Gay and all at Spalding United who work tirelessly to support the club in many ways on and off the field. Any kind of donation would go a long way to help the club and another option would be to use the clubhouse for an event or function."

For more information and to donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/Sufcclubhouse?utm_id=107&utm_term=4Empe3X5Y.

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Where next?

Fans dig deep for crocked trio EVO-STIK Northern Premier League Basford United and the club's fans raised more than £5,000 on Monday night for three of their stars who are out for the season and off work with long term injuries.
New names enter fair play race Stourbridge, Tadcaster Albion and Gresley FC have entered the race to become the 2016-17 season's fair play champions after being named as the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's best behaved sides in October.

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