Final push for the ‘biggest week in Worksop Town’s history’

Since announcing an end of February deadline to clear £30,000 The Tigers have raised over £5,000 with an online crowdfunding campaign and the club is preparing to announce the exact figure raised by club president Keith Ilett’s fund.

On Wednesday night - before the club’s Northern Premier South East Division league fixture against Newcastle Town - eight-year-old Oliver Banyard completed an 80-lap bike ride around the Sandy Lane pitch.

Oliver, whose grandfather Peter Whitehead has promised to step in and become chairman if the club clears its debt, had raised £1,600 towards his £3,000 target by Thursday morning.

However a club spokesman confirmed an anonymous caller had offered to top up the fund to £3,000 once all donations were in.

Meanwhile a Norwegian Egersunds IK fan has started his own campaign - in honour of Worksop Town’s tiger mascot which the two clubs share.

Those who donate £15 to Kjell Åvendal’s brothers-in-arms campaign receive a commemorative scarf including both clubs’ crests - with remaining profit going to the president’s fund.

Kjell told how when visiting Worksop Town three years ago he got to know John Stocks - who later introduced him to several other supporters.

He said: “I was struck by the friendly welcome they all gave me so when John told me his club was in trouble I thought of ways I could help.

“As Worksop Town and my club Egersunds IK both have a tiger in their crest and share the same colours I came up with the idea to launch a brothers-in-arms-campaign amongst our supporters.”

Club spokesman Devon Cash said: “The campaign is doing really well but the exact figures will not be released until the weekend.

“We need a final push to get us over the line during the last week - the biggest week in Worksop Town’s history.”

Donations to Kjel’s campaign can be taken at Worksop Town’s club shop.

To make a contribution to Worksop Town’s crowdfunding page click HERE.