Fans pledge to help cash-strapped club raise £30k

Bamber Bridge fans helped raise money during Saturday's game against Mickleover

A cash-strapped football club’s fans have raised about £6,000 in 24 hours after bosses appealed for help to secure its future.

Bamber Bridge FC, based near Preston, set up an online fundraiser with a £30,000 target, after saying sponsorships were dropping and attendances falling.

The club said it was in a "tight spot" and appealed for donations to “help cover staff costs and to balance the books”.

The club, which features in the Northern Premier League division, has been playing at the SFC Stadium since 1987 and once drew 2,300 people when it hosted a Euro 96 warm-up match for the tournament's runner-up Czech Republic.

Bamber Bridge FC moved to their current ground in 1987

Speaking before Saturday’s match against Mickleover, fans told BBC North West Tonight that news of the financial problems had been “a bit of a shock”.

Mellisa Garswood said: “We need new blood through the turnstiles. We need the younger generations to come and get on board.”

Steve Dickinson said: “If we can get more of the community involved and spread the boundaries of what the club means to the local community, local businesses, local shops, we can move it forward.”