GRASS IS GREEN
WELL IT IS AT ROVERS

Just over three years ago Blue Square Premier club Forest Green Rovers came up with an idea to help the club fund one or two extra loan players, who could make the difference on the field when it was needed. Recognising, as is the case at Rovers, that their Board of Directors would not spend more on players than their playing budget would allow, this scheme has proved to be a hit with fans. That is until this season, when the need to bring in any loan player has not even been considered under the stewardship of manager Jim Harvey. Consequently, the money coming in to GRASS (Give Regularly Assist Squad Sponsorship) has fallen away as the current excellent season goes on.

Two of Rovers supporters Mike Trueman and Peter Jubb volunteered to run the scheme and they have seen monies raised used to bring in the likes of Ryan Williams, Johnnie Hayes and Guy Madjo over those last three years. Each have in their own right proved to be a useful asset in ensuring that Rovers have stayed at the top flight of the non league game.

Mike Trueman explained “Fans have been very generous in the past, as was the case with Ryan, Johnnie and Guy but we have hit a bit of a lull at the moment, because the current 22 man squad have done so well to take us on to the edge of the play offs with a third of the season gone. Perhaps some of our fans feel that the playing budget is therefore okay but we need to point out that one major initiative which the club undertook for this season was to introduce a reserve team in the Pontins Holiday Combination.

Expenses for that set up is as important, in our opinion, due to the fact not only does it provide a good standard of football for those fringe players, it also allows for Jim Harvey and Jamie Pitman to bring on lads in the college set, and most importantly along the style and pattern of play upon which the 1st team is now founded.”

Club Secretary Colin Peake stated “Already this season GRASS has contributed £2500 towards the reserves set up. Mike and Peter and many of our fans already understand the value of the reserves towards supporting the 1st team. However one thing which some of our fans may not have picked up on is, is that by such a generous contribution it enables the cost of watching reserve team games to be kept to a minimum charge, of £3 and £1. If it was not for GRASS then those entrance charges would have to reflect the overall costs involved.”

The drive is therefore on to recruit 200 supporters who are willing to pay just £5 per month, by way of Standing Order into GRASS. At present such payments are supplemented by donations and of course bucket collections, one of which will be held this coming Saturday when Rovers entertain Farsley Celtic in the Blue Square Premier. More information can be obtained by calling Mike Trueman on 01453 872553