Annan Athletic fans want to arm new boss Wullie Gibson with a £25,000 war chest as he readies his first squad for action.
Members of the Annan Athletic Supporters’ Club (AASC) are going all-out to bolster his work to secure summer signings – including by working with the Galabank board to secure the rights to name the ground’s covered terrace next season.
Launching their Wullie’s War Chest fundraising campaign, they had set an initial target of adding between £15,000 and £20,000 to the manager’s budget.
But after smashing that total in less than a week, they have now upped their aim to £25,000.
AASC Vice-chairman Ross Johnstone said: “We’ve been blown away by the response.
“Because of the conversations we had with our members before the official launch we were optimistic that we’d get off to a strong start. But to have achieved our target – and then some – in less than a week is amazing. It’s exceeded all of our expectations.
“Our thanks go to everyone who has supported us with contributions so far. It just goes to show how much the club means to the fans.”
Working with the Black and Golds’ board, AASC has also secured the rights to name the terracing at Galabank next season.
It announced this week that Annan-based business MCK Graphics will be its partner in that sponsorship agreement.
Johnstone added: “We’re delighted – and grateful – that Ross McKend and his team at MCK, a growing local enterprise, are able to get behind us on this. They already supply the supporters’ club with merchandise, as well as supplying Annan Athletic with all of its signage.
“Thanks to the terrific response we’ve had, we hope to move our fundraising up another level and raise as close to £25,000 as we possibly can.
“We know that is going to be tough. But it is well worth the effort as we aim to help put Wullie – and the club – in as strong a position on the pitch as possible.”
To build Wullie’s War Chest, AASC is asking supporters for monthly contributions to the fund – however large or small – from August until May. One-off donations are also welcome.
Gibson has expressed his thanks to all who’ve got behind the fundraiser so far.
Annan Athletic chairman Russell Brown added: “Wullie’s really grateful – as the board and everyone at the club is – for this tremendous support. It will make a real difference with the hard work the manager is doing to put his first squad together.”
For details about how to contribute to Wullie’s War Chest, email [email protected].
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