Last month, when it was announced that grants for our youth development were to be reduced, suggestions were made that we could do something as fans to raise a few quid. Well, dear reader, now is your chance.

A couple of posters from this board have been in touch with Craig Liddle and as a result 'Fans of Darlington FC' are now sponsoring the strips for the under 16s team next year. We initially asked to sponsor the under 18s but Darlington Supporters' Trust has already agreed to pay for that privilege.

The cost will be £1000 and, thanks to Iain Swalwell and a couple of the DAFTS, we already have £100!

This post is going to stay at the top of the message board (thanks Scott) and we will use it to advertise forthcoming events and to keep everybody abreast of how we are progressing financially. It is also where you will be able make suggestions and get people working together. I only ask that we don't allow it to get clogged up with niff naff, trivia and criticism of individuals or groups. Please keep the thread to the point so new ideas are not lost in amongst loads of pointless posts. If you feel anything is a crap idea, start a new thread.

Now, this fundraising is not being driven by any particular fans organisation, nor is it limited to members of any group. It is, as the name suggests, open to all fans of Darlington FC. Anybody who wishes to arrange something can do so, and anybody who wants to get involved in any of the organised events can do that also.

This sponsorship is only the start point. I firmly believe that if we all do our little bit, then we will be able to raise more than the initial £1000 and be able to support Maddo and Lidds more than planned.

if you need any help with the events, gizza shout

cheers

Please count me in too

How about supplying an address (for cheques) and account name/number/sort code for straightforward donations via BACS transfer? Plus, possibly, a Paypal account, too?
Also, it may be a good idea to know the identity of one of the organisers - no offence intended.

It was always intended that such details would follow, this was just a taster to let people know what is being planned. However, to address your very valid points:

I'm one of the organisers, some of you already know me as Tony Waters, some of you may not know me at all but, anybody with ideas for building up our funds - I'll happily meet you and introduce myself.

The other main conspirator in this venture is Geoff Thompson, there are probably many of you out there who know him.

Between the two of us we have raised money for the youth for quite a few years now and this is really just a more formalised extension of what we have done previously, but now hoping to get more people involved.

As for donations and collection of the funds, we are going to open up up an account with the Darlington Building Society, although that hasn't been completed yet. As soon as it is I'll certainly let people on here know how to go about putting the money in there.

If anybody does want to pay by cheque then they can PM me and I'll let them have my address but I'd prefer to wait until we have the account open before receiving any donations.

Tony

Excellent idea Tony, if you need any help just shout, its pleasing to see the YD continuing to get some backing, the Trust did a lot last season and it looks like that is continuing on but it would be good to see businesses in the town offering support.

The past few years our YD set up has really progressed strongly and its seen a number of players progress to the First Team, its just a matter of time before we start producing the odd gem here and there that we can make a canny few quid on. So its a well worthy area to be supporting which hopefully others can show support for.

Perhaps we should have a fund for manager development

OK folks

Keep your eyes peeled, details of the first fund-raising venture by 'Fans of Darlington FC' will be announced here and in other places shortly.

Start budgeting, the Sponsor-a-Goal scheme is coming back and we're after your money at the end of the season.

Don't forget, we (the fans) aim to raise £1000 this season to be given to Lidds and Maddo with the cost of Youth Development.

Well, the first sponsor a goal pledges have arrived at HQ, thanks to those who responded early but we still want more.

Remember, you can pledge as little or as much as you want and the aim is to raise £1000 for the Lidds' and Maddo's youth development.

If anybody wants an application form pm me and I'll send one to you. I can get it out by post or emailed as a pdf.

For those exiles who subscribe to VQ there will be one emailed to the mailing list shortly.

As Bob Geldof famously didn't say:

"Give me your f*****g money"

The application form can now be downloaded from here

need to kick my butt into gear and get a form filled in.
Maybe worth considering in future seasons is a paypal account so we can see the account rise, then if we are getting close but a lil short we may attract extra sponsors or a raised sponsorship offer from supporters. Also for those that may be put off as they feel they cant afford an end of season lump sum (which to be fair doesnt have to be a massive sum) it would allow them to trickle a few quid here and there over the course of the season

Some good points Ian.

I'll look into opening a Paypal account, you're absolutely right that it would make donating easier as long as everybody were to let me know that they have sent the money across.

As it is, I'll be sending out an update on a monthly basis to keep people informed of how things are progressing. Currently, the pledges from our first game total £11.02 yet I am aware that there are definately more pledges due to come in. If that average were maintained for the entire season, we would raise the sum of £506.92 from the sponsor a goal scheme alone, and there will be other fundraisers as we progress.

A couple of people have already raised the issue of drip-feeding money into the pot rather than wait until the end of the season, indeed a couple of them have already sent me cheques or donated cash. However, these are people who know and trust me; I wouldn't expect others to send me money until we have a dedicated bank/building society account. I'll keep you updated on the banking situation.

Note to self: Pull your finger out and get it done...

Any other (sensible) suggestions or queries, let me know.

Tony

There are people who know and trust you?

£12.02 - I haven't given you mine yet but saturday cost me a quid!...if you accept retrospectively!

*Have emailed you my form Tony