Hawks’ play-off rivals ask fans for financial help towards cost of play-offs – and the response has been impressive

And the response from Weymouth and Slough supporters has been impressive.

Fans of the Dorset club have raised around £25,000 in a week towards the club’s anticipated play-off costs of £35,000.

Over £11,500 of that has come via a gofundme page - with one elderly fan, Dave Hunt, who first saw Weymouth play in the 60s, donating £300 - with other sizeable donations being received.

Slough launched their own fundraiser last week and, in the space of just three days, had raised £5,700 towards a £25,000 target.

Weymouth initially thought it would cost them £50,000 to take part in the play-offs based on information from the National League.

Included in that sum were the costs of testing 40 players and staff twice a week for five weeks at £125 per test.

They have since found out they only needed to test once a week, and have also brought the cost of testing down - Hawks have also done the same.

Weymouth players had their first round of tests last week ahead of a return to training under the strict conditions of the protocol laid out by the government for the return of Elite Athletes to Sport.

Other costs include the deep cleaning of their Bob Lucas Stadium after each use including training, provision of PPE, hand sanitisers, alterations to the ground to provide one-way systems and zoning certain areas of the stand and concourse.

As they will be at home for the duration of the play-offs, Hawks have also had to do the same at Westleigh Park.

‘We have been incredibly overwhelmed by your generosity,’ the Terras board said in a statement. ‘So far around £25,000 has been raised, which in a week is absolutely brilliant, but we must strive forward to raise the remainder.

‘From the bottom of our hearts thank you all so much for your support which has not only come from our fans but also members of the wider non-league community.’