A far-flung Folkestone Invicta fan has had his travel plans for next week’s clash with Billericay salvaged thanks to the generosity of the club and its fans.
Long-time ‘Stripes’ supporter Patrick Pierce had booked his trip from Plymouth to the midweek fixture at Cheriton Road well in advance, but when he discovered the Bostik Premier match had been moved to accommodate the Essex side’s congested fixture list it looked like money down the drain.
But when Invicta chairman Paul Morgan learnt of the 38-year-old fan’s plight he was quick to put his hand in his pocket and organise a whip-round which saw the club and fans raise more than £100 to re-book Paddy’s travel and get him to the match against the league leaders which takes place next Wednesday (February 21st)
“There’s a fair few of us Invicta exiles dotted around – more than you might think, and we still all make efforts to get to games,” Paddy said.
“I just try and make the best of it and look at cheap tickets when they go on sale early, see which games are affordable and are possible to get to and get home from, though it does have its risks.
“I was slightly more aggrieved with this game as it was one of the more expensive tickets I’ve booked to get to a game. I checked several scenarios to see the possibilities of the game being further postponed but it looked a pretty safe option.”
Unfortunately for Paddy, who is no stranger to getting on a coach before dawn or taking the overnight train home to the south west following a match, title-chasing Billericay’s packed fixture list meant the game had to be put back 24 hours and it appeared that all his planning had been for nothing.
Word of his misfortune soon made its way onto the Folkestone fans’ forum where the chairman – who regularly communicates with Kent club’s supporters online – took note and offered to get the ball rolling with the first £50 donation towards getting him to the game.
Soon other fans and club officials were pitching in and it did not take long until enough cash was raised to get Paddy, who recently celebrated the birth of his son, Freddie, to the match.
He said: “When I found out from the chairman Paul what he’d arranged, and what he and the fans had done, I felt totally overwhelmed and thought ‘what amazing fans we have’.
“It was such a kind and generous gesture. All I can say to Paul and all those fans who’ve made this happen is you are all very generous and thoughtful people and you should be very proud of yourselves.
“People who know me will know I’ve not been in good health since 2012 with cancer, and have been in hospital for several operations. But I was finally discharged from UCLH last month so hopefully the cancer can leave me alone for a few years now and I can catch up on supporting Invicta.”
FIFC chairman Paul Morgan said: “I heard Paddy had purchased a train ticket for the game which was then switched from next Tuesday to the Wednesday so he could not get a refund.
“It’s a lot of money and with him just having become a proud new daddy I thought it would be a fantastic gesture if the club and the fans helped by donating to get him up to the game.
“I kicked it off and got the ball rolling. Several of our fantastic fans also soon chipped in and we’ve got enough money for him to get to the game plus paying for his gate money and a few beers.
“We’re all looking forward to seeing him again.”
Written by Rhys Griffiths.