Cheltenham Town FC

He announced the remarkable gesture at the start of the week when our scoreboard project was launched and it has seen almost £25,000 of pledges roll in under 50 hours.

On hearing the news the Robins Trust offered £1,000 to keep them on permanent display at the LCI Rail Stadium.

It’s an extraordinary gesture from a club legend and another twist in a campaign that has brought together supporters, local businesses an ex-players to try and bring a new scoreboard to the stadium.

John scored ten minutes from the end in 2002, putting the seal on victory in the 3-1 win over Rushden and Diamonds in Steve Cotterill's final game in charge.

Four years later he led the Robins to a 1-0 victory over Grimsby Town with his best mate Steve Guinan grabbing the only goal in the 63rd minute.

“The truth is I’d really like the medals to do some good for the club and it’s my way of giving something back to Cheltenham Town,” he said.

 

“I hoped someone else may like to make a contribution to the scoreboard fund and use them in a more positive way.”

Trust chairman and Fan-elected Director Clive Gowing explained: “When we heard John Finnigan’s medals were up for reward we thought they were too special to leave the club. 

 

“As a Trust board we unanimously decided to buy them but to donate them back to the club for everyone to see and enjoy.

 

“Finners has always been a fan favourite and I am sure every Robins supporter will want to thank him for this unbelievable gesture.”

Guinan, together with Grant McCann and Steve Gillespie, all played that afternoon at Cardiff's Millennium Stadium and all three tweeted their support for the campaign earlier today.

It caps a magnificent start to the campaign, but there’s a long way to go. 

We’re looking for local businesses to come in and work with the supporters, taking up the advertising opportunities that the scoreboard offers.

We’ve had six businesses join so far but if your company is interested please take a look at our page for full details.

And we also appeal to supporters to talk to their bosses and colleagues to seek their support.

This project is about uniting the town behind the club whether they’re regulars at the LCI Rail Stadium or not.

There’s something for everyone in our rewards list and there’s many more to come. 

Visit Crowdfunder.co.uk/scoreboard for all the details of how to play your part, no matter how small.

Come on you Robins!

• Robins Trust membership is available as a £12 reward on the Crowdfunder page. Join the Trust and support the campaign at the same time.