Fans have been digging deep to help their football clubs through the coronavirus shutdown.

Football below the National League is over for the season but the bills need paying and supporter groups have taken it upon themselves to help.

The committee at Southern Counties East side Tunbridge Wells have raised over £3,000 towards an ambitious target of £20,000 in just over two weeks.

Even before coronavirus took hold, the club were struggling with cash flow due to a waterlogged pitch. Their last home game was on January 7.

Matchday income and bar receipts are their biggest income stream and to have been without those for such a long period has been “incredibly challenging” say the club.

Hopes of those postponed games being replayed have been dashed after football for the season was declared null and void.

Facing the possibility of half a year, at least, without matchday income the club say they are “now facing an existential threat,” which is unsustainable.

Hopes of raising £20,000 would replace income generated from the remaining 12 home league and cup fixtures, hosting of end-of-season cup finals and a music event 'Party on the Pitch'.

They said: “We understand that this is a big ask. We are incredibly fortunate to be a well-supported club.

“From the hundreds who watch us on a Saturday, to the thousands who cheered us on at Wembley (in the 2013 FA Vase final), it is to you that we turn for help in securing the future of the club until the beginning of the new season and beyond. Any donation, large or small, would be gratefully received.”

Higher up the pyramid, Isthmian League Premier Division side Folkestone Invicta have raised over £4,000.

Manager Neil Cugley is among those to have donated. They have lost revenue with the closure of Bar Invicta, along with matchday income.

Organiser Bryan Pearce, after passing the £4k mark, said: “It shows the support for our wonderful club . A big thank you for all those who have given some of their hard earned.”

They are up to £4,285 with a target of £5,000.

Herne Bay were chasing a play-off spot in the South East Division when the season was scrapped.

Chairman Stuart Fitchie was among those to sign an open letter to the FA asking them to reverse the decision to declare the season in steps three to seven as null and void.

Mr Fitchie has contributed to a fundraiser set up by the supporters’ association. He pledged £200 while directors Rob Taylor and John Bathurst have also put in £100 each to boost the total.

A statement said: “The Herne Bay FC Supporters Association are asking all Herne Bay fans and residents if they could make any form of donation to help the club through these tough times.”

Neighbours Whitstable Town are also asking for donations.

They have raised their first £1,000 on the way to a target of £5,000.

The club say: “We are working hard behind the scenes to keep things going, so that we can all look forward to the resumption of football whenever the time comes.

“We would like to express our gratitude to all of those who have offered help and support to the club at this time, including supporters, the management team and players, club employees and volunteers, each of whom no doubt have their own worries at this difficult time.”

Richard Tennant has set up a GoFundMe page which stated: “The club is over 125 years old and is at the heart of our town and community.

“The coronavirus outbreak means no football and therefore no income for the club. Income that is much needed to maintain the pitch and the ground as well as continuing to build grass roots football opportunities, which have taken such large strides forward in the last year.”

At Hythe Town, chairman Paul Markland said: “Hythe Town’s priority now is the hunker down, conserve what funds we have so we can pay ongoing bills such as insurance and utilities for as long as possible and to look after the pitch ready for the re-start.

“Funds will become stretched after a few months as, like other football clubs, we no longer have any income from matches or commercial activities.

“Thankfully it looks like Business Rates for sports clubs have been waived for the next year; the CASC scheme does not apply to semi-pro clubs who all pay full Business Rates, so this has saved Hythe Town money we may have struggled to find, allowing us to pay outstanding invoices.”

Sittingbourne are keen to keep their fanbase onside and have agreed that season ticket holders, who renew, will receive a reduction of the price to take into account the six home matches that were lost. Several have already said they don’t want the discount applied.

Sponsors, including programme sponsors, will receive a two month extension into the new season and the club are expecting to start a crowd funding campaign too.

Ramsgate fans have raised over £1,500 as they chase a £5,000 target.

They said: “As many other clubs of our size have done, we are asking our local community for support through this extremely difficult time with any donations, no matter how small, gratefully received.”

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