Wiltshire Football Club is appealing for more support to reach its spotlight appeal target

Trowbridge Town Football Club is appealing for more support to reach its attractive targets to raise funds for new floodlights and pitch drainage.

Club chairman Andy Meaden says they have now raised almost £19,000 and has asked supporters and businesses to contribute towards the costs.

The club need to raise £65,000 by the end of August to bring floodlit football back to Wiltshire’s County Town for the first time in 27 years.

Speaking after the club’s AGM on Friday, July 12, he said: “Seven weeks on from our drainage fundraising appeal, we only have £19,000 in our appeal account.

“This was made possible through many platforms and some incredible efforts by certain people, not to mention some generous donations. We also have some promises of funding from the local council.

“So to put it simply: we need to do the same thing again between now and mid-September – once we reach £40,000 Trowbridge will have a floodlit football pitch on grass for the first time in 27 years and we fully intend to have this in place by October/November.

“If we pull this off, it really is ‘homecoming’, so Trowbridge – it’s up to you. If you want, we can sort it, but we can’t do it without donations.

“We do not receive any additional funding from the FA due to our position in the football pyramid.”

In May 1997, when Trowbridge Town Football Club left its beloved Frome Road stadium, Wiltshire’s County Town lost its only football pitch.

The club reformed in 1999 and now play their matches at Woodmarsh, just off the A363 Bradley Road on the outskirts of Trowbridge.

While the club has continued to be very successful at Step 7 of the English Non-League Football Pyramid, the lack of limelight prevents the first team from advancing to a higher league.

The club’s planning application to install eight lampposts and new football pitches has been given the go-ahead by Wiltshire Council.

Mr Meaden added: “We also have major drainage works booked for spring 2025 and so fundraising will continue at full speed as both projects are crucial to the development of the land.”

The £19,000 raised so far includes donations to the club’s fundraising page which can be found at justgiving.com/crowdfunding/TTFCFloodlightAppeal?utm_term=qBJNwyEpd.

Mr Meaden said: “If you can help through sponsorship or would like to make a large donation, please call me on 07742 670031 or email me at [email protected].”