Stockport County Director of Football James Gannon faces a huge task to turn around the fortunes of a club which finds itself at the wrong end of the fifth tier of English football – but now every football fan has the opportunity to help out County and the local community at the same time!

Your Town Your Team, in conjunction with Help the Hatters and the Stockport County Community Sports and Education Foundation, can announce the launching of the new “Text County” Scheme, to raise funds which will help stabilise the Club whilst also helping to support the Community Foundation – but we must act now; time is running out for County to avoid the drop into the Blue Square Bet North.

SIMPLY TEXT “SCFC12″ – SYMBOLISING THE 12TH MAN HELPING COUNTY – FOLLOWED BY THE FIGURE IN POUNDS PRECEDED BY A £ SIGN WHICH YOU WISH TO DONATE (EITHER £1, £2, £3, £4, £5, OR £10) – (e.g. “SCFC12 £5″ to donate £5) TO 70070

Texts are charged at one standard network rate message plus the cost of your donation.

All donations will be placed directly into the Community Foundation’s account; 50% of every pound will go towards the continued funding of the Community Foundation.

The other 50% will be transferred to a new Help the Hatters fund account. Funds raised will initially be used to stabilise the Club, e.g. to help improve the playing squad. To find out more about Help the Hatters, visit www.helpthehatters.co.uk

The Community Foundation plays a crucial role in promoting Stockport County FC to the community of not only the borough of Stockport but also Tameside, Cheshire and High Peak. The Foundation delivers a wide range of activities and services from teaching football skills in school time and providing soccer schools in half term, to working with adults with disabilities and helping the NHS deliver important health initiatives.

The foundation also has a big ‘match day’ presence by providing ball boys and girls for each game as well as being the first port of call for any other local organisation that want Stockport County to promote what they do on a match day. The Foundation is a registered charity so it has to be completely self – funding and it is always looking for support so it can continue to promote this football club is the best way possible.

The Foundation also promotes the Vernon Building Society ticket ‘initiative’ which provides hundreds of school children with tickets to watch the Hatters play at Edgeley Park during the season.

Currently, the club’s playing budget does not provide funds for activity in the loan market, and through “Text County” we aim to allow the Director of Football to acquire quality loan players in the short term, in a bid to avoid relegation to the Blue Square Bet North.

In order to ensure funds are only used for the reasons stated, the account will be protected by 5 signatories, 3 of whom will need to sign to allow funds to be released.

Funds raised will be used to supplement the existing budget, not replace it – so every penny donated to the Help the Hatters account will increase the club’s ability to be active in improving the squad – whilst enabling the club stabilise and to work towards a bright future in the Football League.

In addition to this, as a registered charity, The Community Foundation will be able to claim gift aid on the 50% of funds which it retains; every penny will be either directly or indirectly invested into providing Stockport County with a sustainable future.

By driving finances into both Stockport County and into the Community Foundation, “Text County” can provide for the immediate and long – term future of the club. A stronger, more competitive squad in the short – term can be supplemented by long – term stability. The Community Foundation can also spread the word of County, help the local community and encourage people to come back through the turnstiles at Edgeley Park.

With less than half of the season remaining, time is running out for County to avoid the drop into the Blue Square Bet North. We believe this is a fantastic opportunity to invest not only in the club but also in the community – but we must act NOW – so please text SCFC12 followed by a figure in whole pounds, preceded by a £ sign to 70070.

Alternatively, Your Town Your Team and Help the Hatters would gladly accept donations by cheque to help support the cause; 100% of any cheque donations will go directly to Help the Hatters and will not be split with the Community Foundation. Those wishing to donate without texting can send a cheque made payable to Help the Hatters to their Treasurer:

Mike Hopper
Help the Hatters
99 Cherry Tree Lane
Stockport
SK2 7PY