Fans dig deep for crocked trio

A record breaking crowd of 379 at Greenwich Avenue for the club's 3-2 win over Stamford helped to smash a 30 day £5,000 fundraising target for striker Rob Duffy who ruptured his achilles tendon on the opening day of the season, defender Rob Darkin who's out with damaged knee ligaments and skipper Jake Sheridan who broke his leg in the FA Trophy.

Duff, pictured, and his teammates are all on the road to recovery but still can't work and won't play again this term, prompting officials at Greenwich Avenue to designate the EVO-STIK NPL First Division South fixture as a “pay what you want" game before vowing to match whatever was raised.

The record crowd dug deep, donating £2,700 on the gate which has since been matched pound for pound to see a total of £5,400 raised to help the crocked trio through their rehabilitation.

Basford United chairman Chris Munroe said: “The total raised is just unbelievable, it’s very humbling that people have been so generous; the three injured players have been really touched by it.

“Having achieved the total and seeing the players, which emphasised what a bad state they’re in, I’d like to now double what we achieved yesterday that’s now the target.

“In the scale of things, it’s still only a small amount compared to the trials and tribulations that they’re going to have to go through in the next few months because all of them are in a very bad way.”

A JustGiving page has now also been launched by the club for those who would like to donate online. For more information and to donate, visit: http://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/InjuredplayersfundBasfordUnitedFC.

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