BOB Buckingham, Bridgwater Town Football Club’s vice chairman and commercial manager, said that the response to the club’s crowdfunding campaign had been “very, very gratifying”.

The club set up the fundraising effort to help overcome financial pressures following the early termination of the 2019/20 season due to coronavirus.

As it stands, the crowdfunding page has generated £2,910 from 85 supporters.

Buckingham said: “We’re very, very gratified with the number of donors at such an uncertain time - it’s more than 100, taking into account those who have donated directly [not through JustGiving].”

The crowdfunding campaign will end at the end of this month - i.e. this coming weekend - and Buckingham said that the amount raised would make a big difference to the club.

“It allows us to cover our fixed outgoings against a period of uncertainty, and manage our cash flow,” he explained.

“We have remained committed to carrying out improvement work on our pitch, in a prudent way of course, and this allows us to do that.”

One of the donors to Bridgwater’s campaign is Darren Sarll, who has managed Yeovil Town since June 2019.

He pledged £40 to his hometown club, and Yeovil tweeted: “No matter who you support, it’s a tough time for clubs up and down the country.

“Somerset football stands together!”

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BRIDGWATER’S presentation night for the 2019/20 season took place online at the weekend.

The big winner was goalkeeper Jake Viney, who was voted supporters’ player of the season and managers’ player of the season, and he also earned the Luke Buckingham Award.

Tom Ellis was players’ player of the season, while the ‘Young Robin’ award went to Finley Wilkinson, who excelled in the left-back position over the season.

Jack Taylor picked up the top goalscorer award, after scoring 23 goals in all competitions last season, and Harry Horton’s goal against Bristol Manor Farm in the FA Cup first qualifying round got the nod as goal of the season.