Bognor offer fans unique rewards - fundraiser nets first £5,000 in first 24 hours

In a move first revealed in the Bognor Observer and here last week, the Rocks are asking fans to dig deep in the appeal, which hopes to raise £30,000 to boost the club's coffers as they get set to embark on ambitious plans to modernise Nyewood Lane. And to support the effort, a video has been created depicting a stirring montage of the club, its players and supporters.

The drive is needed to try to overcome the huge shortfall in revenue following the cancellation of the end of the Isthmian premier division season because of the coronavirus crisis pandemic.

Fans can pledge cash in return for a selection of unique offerings such as having their names woven into the 20/21 first team shirt; ground and stand naming rights; the chance to be part of a personalised plaque on a "Wall of Thanks" on the new stand; 10-year season tickets; official media partner as well as various matchday sponsorship opportunities.

And in an unprecedented and thrilling prospect, fans are also being offered the chance to play AGAINST the Rocks in a pre-season friendly match at the Nye Camp with Bognor No.2 Robbie Blake as head coach - and the former Premier League hotshot also guesting in the side, too.

Here is the page on which you can donate.

Using the Crowdfunder.co.uk platform, the club have told would-be backers: "You are our Rocks! You, the fans are the very reason we are who we are. Through you, we are one. Since 1883 we have proudly represented our town, our county, and our supporters.

“Now, in these exceptionally challenging times, we need to try to generate funding to not only look to progress but to hold what we have. We're not sure when football will resume at our level after the Covid-19 pandemic wiped out the season, but we do know we want to be as prepared as we can be for that very special day, as well as for the football that follows.

“On the pitch manager Jack Pearce and coach Robbie Blake are confident the club can resume action with the nucleus of players we finished with when the Isthmian League premier division was scrapped as the coronavirus crisis struck.

"The club's 27 junior teams are just as anxious for a resumption of play and the community as a whole, as well as our charity partners, are all eager to embrace football back at Nyewood Lane as and when it is safe to do so.

“Off the pitch, we are closing in on a construction start date after unveiling an ambitious blueprint to modernise the ground. A new 367-seat grandstand is the biggest improvement along with a new covered area behind the goal at the Seasons as well as new floodlights; a new PA system and a new toilet block.

“To unify and stimulate our fundraising efforts we have now teamed up with Crowdfunder and after liaising with their team we have put together a range of offers to try to give something in return for your invaluable support. Please check out our 'one to eleven' line-up and if you are able to dig deep please do make a pledge. Up the Rocks!”

Manager Pearce says: “We need to ask for help from the people of Bognor and the wider area and we hope to find a good response.

“We’re not just asking our fans to help. We are asking non-football people too because it is our belief that many, many people locally will have had some sort of involvement in the club or its facilities in the past, or will have in the future.

“Over generations it’s likely that all families in the town will have had at least one member who watches or plays football or uses facilities at the ground.

“We have 28 teams at the club, including all the boys and girls’ teams as well as the more senior teams, and that’s a lot of people and families.

“We also attract supporters from beyond just Bognor – in fact we have one who comes to every home and away game all the way from Wimbledon. So we hope there will be people from outside the town who can help us.

“The work we’re doing this summer will benefit the whole town and we are committed to forging ahead with the work we need to do.”