Wow! Response to Worthing crowdfunding bid is amazing - even a Fulham midfielder has pitched in

As of Sunday evening, the effort had landed more than £17,000 from just over 150 backers.

The cash will be added to £96,000 of funds already secured to pay for a wide range of improvements to get the Crucial Environmental Stadium ready for a future in which Worthing have a growing number of teams and see their first team being in the National League.

Improvements include new floodlights, a new additional bar, new toilets and new changing rooms.

The Mackerel Men were on course for promotion from the Isthmian premier to the National South this season before football was halted and the FA controversially decided to expunge results for non-league divisions at Worthing's level - step three - and below.

As the fundraising total neared £18,000, Worthing tweeted: "Wonderful, wonderful stuff by all of you, let's keep it going. Keep supporting us and don't stop spreading the word!"

The club have come up with a variety of 'rewards' people can earn by donating certain sums - including the chance to be mascot, have a training session with manager Adam Hinshelwood and buy lifetime season tickets, of which a number have already been sold.

Hinshelwood has promised to run from his home in Selsey to Worthing's ground if the £20k mark is reached by 3pm on Saturday, May 23.

Fulham midfielder Harrison Reed, who was born in Worthing, was one of the big early backers with a £2000.

Back the WFC crowdfunder here