Blues banking on World Cup fever

A signed England shirt could raise hundreds of pounds for Evo-Stik Northern Premier League Frickley Athletic’s on-going redevelopment fund.

The shirt, signed by many of England’s top stars including Joe Hart, Steven Gerrard, Tim Cahill, Leighton Baines, Jack Wilshere, Tom Cleverley, Daniel Sturridge and Danny Welbeck, will be raffled off at the end of the season when the Blues are hoping World Cup fever taking hold of the nation will maximise bids.

Donated by fundraising fan Chad Thomas on behalf of the Frickley Athletic Supporters Club, the shirt comes with a certificate of authenticity with tickets for the raffle on Sunday 5 May priced at £1.

The Premier Division club’s fans set themselves a £50,000 target only last year to build a new community changing complex. Delighted officials revealed before Christmas that a total of £31,026 had already been raised.

The raffle is the latest in a series of fundraising initiative by fans and officials. More than £3,000 was raised in the run-up to Christmas, including £1200 from the auctioning of a 1923 ‘White Horse’ FA Cup Final programme. It was one of more than 3500 programmes gifted to Athletic by lifelong fan and programme collector Barry Jackson who passed away three years ago. Astonishingly, sales from the supporter's legacy have now raised more than £15,000.

When built Frickley's new community pavilion will house four changing rooms, officials changing rooms, additional male, female and disabled toilets and a community function room with its own catering facilities.

The complex - to be shared with South Elmsall United Juniors and South Elmsall United Services - will be open to community groups for a range of activities and educational programmes, many aimed at encouraging people to enjoy the nearby country park as well as helping to build the club's future fan base.

More details can be found on the club's dedicated fundraising webpage at: www.fafcredevelopment.weebly.com