£1,000 donation to Bognor football fund will make up for times I played badly and still got paid!

Richard Gilot is among ex-players to donate to the club's fund to boost plans for ground improvements / Picture: Tommy McMillanRichard Gilot is among ex-players to donate to the club's fund to boost plans for ground improvements / Picture: Tommy McMillan
Richard Gilot is among ex-players to donate to the club's fund to boost plans for ground improvements / Picture: Tommy McMillan | freelance
Jack Pearce has paid tribute to the heart-warming gestures and donations that have boosted the morale and finances at Bognor Regis Town.

The Rocks launched a fund-raising effort to try to find a way through the uncertainty caused by the coronavirus pandemic after the Isthmian premier division season was scrapped.

The news came as the club unveiled ambitious plans to modernise Nyewood Lane -- with a new 367-seat grandstand the biggest improvement amid the exciting developments.

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The plans also include a new covered area behind the goal at the Seasons end to replace the cover destroyed by Storm Ciara; new floodlights; a new PA system and a new toilet block at the Sports Club entrance.

And long-serving manager Pearce says he is delighted with the response from Bognor supporters who have given so generously both in terms of money and overall goodwill.

One former Rocks player, who wishes to remain anonymous, has donated £1,000 to the cause and Pearce says this reflects the huge amount of benevolence he has witnessed since the Covid-19 crisis paralysed football across the globe.

He said: "The love for the club has shone through during these difficult times. Football rightly has had to take a back seat as the nation tries to overcome this dreadful situation.

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"The efforts of the NHS heroes, key workers and all of those at the frontline helping our country in the lockdown is unbelievable. And in between we are trying to steady the ship at the club and with the help of the generosity of many we are able to do that.

"This week we are particularly thankful to Richard Gilot, our former player, for making a kind donation. And we have also had an unbelievable gesture from another former player who has given us a £1,000 donation. He joked with me that it would help make up for the times that he played poorly and we still paid him!

"We have had some lovely gestures, too. I personally received a lovely parcel of goodies with the message, 'a treat for you and your family as a thank you for all you have done over the years at Bognor FC. From a Rocks fan. Thank you! Enjoy!’"

* Fans who would like to contribute can do so in two ways in which donations can be made:

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By using funding page at https://gogetfunding.com/rocks-development/

Or, a direct bank transfer to

Sort Code: 20-20-62

Account number: 40181072

Reference: Donation Ground Fund

By using this reference, the club can easily identify and allocate your donation.

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