July 15th 2024
Nairn County supporters tonight launch the Spend-a-Penny for the County campaign as the club aims to raise funds to install state-of-the-art toilet facilities at Station Park. Five years on from Nairn fans embarking on the biggest fundraising campaign ever by any Highland League supporters group, the club are hoping to again enhance the fabric of the ground with backing from the terrace regulars and wider community. And following discussions between fans representatives and club officials, a new toilet block was established as the number one priority to enhance the matchday experience for supporters. The club's Board of Directors recognise the existing toilets are reaching the end of their lifecycle and have ambitious plans for a new £35,000 facility, which it is hoped could be installed before the start of next season if funding can be put in place. Club Chairman Donald Matheson said: "A great deal has been achieved over the last five years with improvements to the ground and all of these projects would not have been possible without the incredible support of the club's fans and local community. But we recognise there are still projects which need urgent attention and top of the list is new toilets." "It would be the intention to install these during the 2018 close season against the perimeter wall adjacent to the Highland Council depot, thus freeing up considerable space where fans enter the ground." "It is hoped that we may secure Scottish Football Partnership funding and the club also has some resources it can draw upon but we are hoping the supporters again will help in realising these ambitions." Donald Wilson, who launched the successful Panel Beaters campaign in 2012, said: "It was an incredible journey for the fans and I am sure everyone was thrilled with the contribution we made to both the refurbishment of the main stand and construction of the Davy Johnston Enclosure, which have both greatly enhanced the ground." "I am sure there are many new fans around Station Park these days who were possibly not part of that campaign and hopefully they would support any efforts to raise funds for this new facility. I understand the club itself has some resources that they would be able to make available and if we could generate another £10,000 to £15,000 to support the club through direct contributions like the Panel Beater £20 donations and specific fundraising events by next June then this target is achievable." "Funds raised from our Christmas Coffee Morning and Christmas Tree Sales will be set aside and a Race Night is also planned. There are still many spaces available on the Panel Beater Boards for people wishing to donate £20 specifically to this project." Supporters' donations totalling £1750 have already been made to kick-start the campaign and the first fundraising event takes place on Saturday December 16th with a Coffee Morning at the Royal British Legion. Anyone wishing to help on the day can contact Donald Wilson on 01667 453270, donaldawilson@talktalk.net or directly on Facebook. "We are looking for any donations to the raffle, bottle stall and bakes sale and anyone wishing to help out at the Legion can be there from 9.00 am on December 16th," he said. Supporters wishing to donate £20 to have their name added to the Panel Beater Board can contact Steven Bain on 07917 063023 or steven@ritsonyoung.com. A Crowd Funding page will be established soon. Graeme Macleod
