“We need a Herculean effort” - FC Halifax Town’s rallying call as they launch £20,000 fundraising bid

The Shaymen will take part in the National League play-offs after it was announced yesterday (Wednesday) that clubs had voted for the proposals from the league for Barrow to be promoted as champions, and the teams from second to seventh to compete in the play-offs.

That means Town will play Boreham Wood away, likely to be on Saturday, July 18, behind closed doors but on BT Sport.

If they win, they will then play away to Harrogate Town for a place in the final.

But the club is asking fans to try and contribute as much as they can towards the costs involved in taking part.

They also said they will look into the possibility of showing any play-off games at The Shay on a big screen.

In a statement, they said: “Project Play-offs is the club’s fundraising initiative to ensure we can get the team ready for our play-off games, starting

with Boreham Wood at their ground.

“Hopefully this will be the first of three ‘away’ games on our journey chasing potential promotion to the EFL.

“As you can appreciate, to take part in the play-offs this year is going to cost considerably more given the changes to the game following the new guidelines set out by the FA, the National League & the Government.

“All of these costs have been widely cited by the Premier League and EFL, which we’re sure you’ll be fully au fait with. This is also against the backdrop of no match revenue which is normally shared between the clubs in these big games.

“In our planning we have to cover the costs of Covid-19 testing, extra equipment, travel, accommodation, loan players etc to name but a few, a significant cost.

“We’re looking to our supporters to help us raise £20k, to perhaps contribute to some of these essential costs. The club will fund the rest to ensure we take our place in the play-offs and give us every possible chance of reaching the dizzy heights of the EFL.

“We know things are tough financially for everyone, however if you can help by making a donation we’d be extremely grateful.

“You might think ‘I’ll donate the money I would have spent travelling to Boreham Wood’ or another game, you might be able to offer more, whatever you can afford will make an enormous difference.”

If any supporters would like to donate, they can do so via the club shop, the supporters’ club or direct with the club via email.

For each donation, supporters will receive a thank you gift from the club. (Some gifts will be available before the play-offs and some will be after).

All donations will be recognised in the match-day programme (name only).

The donation structure and gifts is as follows:

£10 - a digital shoutout

£25 - name in the programme, free programme & FCHT t-shirt

£40 - FCHT t-shirt and key ring

£50 - FCHT mug and t-shirt

£100 - FCHT 20/21 replica shirt home or away

£150 - dining for two match day package

£250 - mascot package with full child’s kit

£500 - full directors experience for two people plus two home replica shirts (signed if you wish) – (home game) – 20/21 season

£1000 - full away or home directors experience for 4 people plus 4 away shirts (signed if you wish) – (away game) – 20/21 season

You can donate directly online at www.fchtshop.com – all options will be available to you.

You can e-mail the supporters’ club [email protected] - give your name and contact telephone number. Roger will advise you by e-mail of the bank details/reference to use in order to affect a bank transfer. Even if you are already aware of the bank details from any previous dealings, the club says you still need to initially e-mail Roger.

You can email the club directly [email protected] - the club can then arrange a bank transfer or payment over the phone.

The club added: “Once we’ve received our standard match arrangement form, there might be the opportunity for us to auction/raffle two pairs of tickets to a play-off game. We can’t guarantee this but we’ll certainly be pushing for this under our Directors’ allocation.

“We’ll also be working on our play-off game ‘care pack’, everything you’ll need in readiness for our first fixture.

“We’ll investigate the feasibility of opening up the ground with a large screen broadcast etc.

“We’ll update you once we know the position with BT Sport and their fixture schedule.

“There’ll be a full squad update once the manager has seen the players. In summary we need a Herculean effort; it won’t be easy either financially or against the sides in the play-offs, all very good teams; we need everyone behind the club and the team.

“Could it be our time? Only time will tell.”