BLOG: Join Dara Ó Briain and back the Tigers as they continue fine tradition of supporting worthy causes

Wednesday’s game against Retford United will cost supporters a minimum fee of £1.

And once inside, fans will be encouraged to throw some cash in a bucket, to help a local family in their bid to fund a bereavement room for parents at Bassetlaw Hospital.

Keith and Emma Hampson lost their daughter Evelyn Barbara when Emma was 37-weeks pregnant in January 2015.

And a year after the couple’s tragic loss, Worksop Town are stepping up to assist in the fundraising.

The Bircotes dad has said the club’s gesture is another example of how generous and kind the local community can be.

The thought of losing a child is beyond comprehension for most parents, and certainly puts football in its correct context – just a game.

But it’s great to see Worksop Town carrying on a tradition started by owner and former backer Jason Clark.

Under his guidance the club donated their entire gate receipts from a match against FC United of Manchester to Sheffield Children’s Hospital.

On another occasion they opened the gates of Sandy Lane and let supporters enter for free to see Tigers take on Mickleover.

For every fan who came through the gates, the club donated a pound to Macmillan Cancer Support

There were curmudgeonly suggestions at the time that these were classy moves, but with Clark’s considerable resources they could well afford to do it.

That is no longer the case, and makes Wednesday’s gesture all the more impressive.

Worksop are fan funded and largely self sufficient, and a game against their Bassetlaw neighbours would be expected to bring in a big crowd, providing a much needed boost to the coffers.

And yet they’ve dropped the price, so a charity can benefit.

Tigers have supported Cancer Research, anti-trafficking charity City Hearts and for the past three Christmases have sent players into Bassetlaw Hospital with gifts for sick kids.

The world’s fourth oldest club cannot be accused of not doing their bit for the local community.

So a gesture like the pay what you want scheme will hopefully be greeted with reciprocal backing from the people of Bassetlaw.

The usual cost of a match ticket is £5, which is already great value.

Dropping it to £1 means you won’t find cheaper entertainment anywhere next Wednesday.

Bring the kids, the neighbours and co-workers.

Post it on Facebook, and follow Dara Ó Briain’s example and tweet about the game.

Back Worksop Town Football Club and the Hampsons – a brave family.