Fans pitch in with £14,000 (From The Northern Echo)

Fans pitch in with £14,000

FANS have been pitching in to pay for facilities at their new football stadium.

Supporters of Bishop Auckland Football Club have handed over a cheque for £14,000 after kicking off a fundraising appeal in 2004.

The money will pay to kit out the function room of the new stadium, which straddles St Helen Auckland and Tindale Crescent.

Events, sports challenges and donations from out-of-town fans have helped to boost the fund during the past six years.

The impressive total will pay for a projector and a bar for fans to gather after games.

Director John Cowey said excitement is growing for the new 250-seat stadium, which is due to open after a grand celebration on Sunday, October 24.

“It is really exciting now,” said Mr Cowey.

“It has been so long coming and now it is only a matter of weeks not months.

“Where before it was just a field, you can drive past now and see the stadium.

We can’t wait.”

Many fans would probably admit they thought the opening would never come, after months of planning delays and fears about the club’s future.

The Bishop Auckland Stadium fund was set up as the club moved from its former home ground in Kingsway and was forced to share with West Auckland FC at Darlington Road.

“It is a really good sum of money,”said Mr Cowey.

“The idea was always that the fund would pay for something supporters would use – not to pay a bill. I think it has been really tremendous over the last six years.

“Everyone has contributed in some way, whether it be with a raffle or taking part in an event or a donation.

“It has been massively important and a big thanks to everyone”

The club gave fans the chance of a sneak preview of the stadium on Tuesday, and is repeating the offer over the next two Tuesdays.

Fans can also buy a brick engraved with their name or a message, which will be placed at the stadium.

For more information email: coweyhome@tiscali.co.uk or visit the club’s website bishopafc.com.