Hartlepool United supporters' budget booster breaks £20,000 mark as manager Dave Challinor prepares to secure transfer targets

Hartlepool United manager Dave Challinor.

For the past two months, Pools fans have been raising money to help boost Dave Challinor’s playing budget for the 2020-21 campaign.

Over 450 generous people have now contributed to the fund which stands at over £20,060 as of Wednesday, July 8.

Several fans have donated three-figure sums to the cause via the go fund me page set up by Hartlepool supporter Gary White with a target total of £30,000.

Due to the financial implications caused by the coronavirus pandemic and shutdown of National League football, Hartlepool’s budget has been cut significantly as part of the ongoing measures to help preserve the club’s future.

The club released its accounts for the 2018-19 season earlier this year which confirmed a £860,000 loss during the campaign.

But that was in relatively normal circumstances – the current reality is that Pools have gone over 100 days without any form of income which has led to several redundancies and no new signings or contract agreements.

Chairman Raj Singh has been covering the losses since he took over the club back in 2018. Steps are now being taken to help get fans more involved through various fundraising and investment initiatives.

And with no season tickets on sale or any means of physically supporting the club during lockdown, the ‘Pools budget booster’ is one of the most prominent options currently available for supporters to help Pools.

Fans can donate as little as £5 to help boost the club’s playing budget to help reach the £30,000 target – several incentives are also in place for donors.

All contributors will be entered into a prize draw where two winners will be selected for a unique Pools experience.

With the budget significantly reduced, what is raised by the go fund me page will make up a larger portion than it would have in previous seasons.

And while it’s important that longer-term initiatives are put into place with supporters, the booster will help give Challinor the short-term edge in the transfer market as he awaits the green light on signings.