DEDICATED football fans are being asked for further pledges to help keep their club going.

Within hours of launching today, more than £25,000 has been raised already.

Last year, more than 500 Darlington Football Club fans were involved in the scheme, which aims to increase its playing budget.

Last year, Darlington FC’s appointment of manager Alun Armstrong coincided with more than £100,000 in pledges from fans, which smashed the original target of £80,000 required to boost the playing budget of the squad.

After the initial success of the Boost The Budget project, which allowed the club to compete at National League North level by supplementing the playing budget to the tune of around a third of the total budget, the club are asking for a further cash injection from fans to ensure players can continue to compete at this level.

Given the current uncertainties due to Covid-19 around the club’s commercial revenue, being able to rely on the revenue from the Boost The Budget 20/21 scheme provides a better some financial security for the club.

Mr Armstrong has promised donors he will use the funding to “fine tune" the squad, calculate a playing budget and put the tie down the contracts of current key squad members and new arrivals.

The 2020/21 scheme opened today and will run until Sunday, May 31.

A spokesperson for the club said: “In these turbulent times we know that making a financial commitment to the club may not be possible at the level at which you invested this season, or even at all.

“It’s important therefore that we all ensure that we’re in a position to look after ourselves and our families first and foremost. However if you are fortunate enough to be in a position to invest this season it would help the club massively if you could make or continue your pledge.”

Pledges can either be made as a one-off amount or as a regular weekly or monthly direct debit.

Last season the club delivered a series of rewards to those who pledged, including photo opportunities with the first team squad and manager in pre-season, unique memorabilia and gave some pledgers the opportunity to be kit man for the day.

Mr Armstrong said: “To the fans, I’ll make sure I’ll bring players in that are value for money,p layers that want to play for Darlington Football Club, and who want to progress and move up the league and show the fans that passion.”

Anyone who wants to make a pledge can do so by visiting the club's website, at www.fundraising.darlingtonfcsupportersgroup.org.