Video: Highlights from Basford’s 3-2 victory against Stamford (from Basford United TV)
A record breaking crowd helped to smash a 30 day fundraising target for three seriously injured Basford United players in one night.
The non-league football club wanted to raise £5,000 over the course of November to support three of their players who picked up injuries so severe that they cannot work.
However a Basford United record attendance of 379 packed into Greenwich Avenue for the club’s ‘pay what you want’ game yesterday (Monday October 31).
Basford United faced Stamford in the Northern Premier League Division One South, which Basford won 3-2, and the record crowd dug deep in their pockets.
£2,700 was raised on the gate with the club then matching this pound for pound, meaning a total of £5,400 was raised.
One of the injured players, striker Rob Duffy, suffered a ruptured achilles tendon 15 minutes into his debut for the club on the opening day of the season.
The 33-year-old graduated with a degree in physiotherapy in July and after finding himself a job but could only work for two weeks before his injury prevented him from continuing.
With a wife and three-year-old daughter to support, Rob said it has been a very difficult time.
He said: “The fact that it was a record attendance is just unbelievable and speaking on behalf of the three lads we were so grateful of the turnout.
“The money raised is amazing, it’s staggering really it just shows the strength of the community and peoples willingness to come out and help.”
This was followed later in the campaign by Jake Sheridan suffering a broken leg and defender Rob Darkin ending up with knee ligament damage.
Rob said: “It was the first time a lot of the lads had seen Jake since his very nasty fracture and he came into the dressing room before the game.
“I think it meant a lot to the lads to see him and I think they definitely wanted to go and get a result for him and for the occasion.
“The fact that we won and put on a good showing means that hopefully a few of the record crowd will be impressed and come back for future games.”
Their long term injuries have affected more than just their football careers – with all three unable to work due to the severity of their injuries.
With the players receiving no income and all with families to support, the club rallied together to support them and were welcomed onto the pitch before the game to thank the fans for their generosity.
Club Chairman Chris Munroe said: “The total raised is just unbelievable, it’s very humbling that people have been so generous; the three injured players have been really touched by it.
“Having achieved the total and seeing the players last night, which emphasised what a bad state they’re in, I’d like to now double what we achieved yesterday that’s now the target.
“In the scale of things, it’s still only a small amount compared to the trials and tribulations that they’re going to have to go through in the next few months because all of them are in a very bad way.”
In the theme of Halloween a misty Greenwich Avenue played host to a five goal thriller with Basford defeating Stamford 3-2.
A blistering start for United saw them storm to a 2-0 lead by half time through Reece Bertram and Tyrelle Shannon-Lewis.
Shannon-Lewis added a third on 63 minutes when he burst clear and confidently finished.
A late brace for Stamford made for a nervy final ten minutes, but Basford held their nerve and secured all three points.
Manager of the ‘Basford United Fans’ Twitter account Sam Price said: “A lot of clubs should look at what we have done here, Basford is a family club with great values and a huge future ahead of them.”
A JustGiving page was launched by the club for those who would like to donate online.
