Raynes Park Vale FC have launched a fundraiser to help pay bills, registration fees and maintain club grounds during the outbreak.

Based at Grand Drive, Raynes Park Vale FC, hope to 'safeguard the club's existence' by using funds to act as their source of income for the time being.

The club which is celebrating it's 25 years since the merger of Raynes Park and Malden Vale in 1995, hopes to celebrate many more after the pandemic.

Players at the club hope to raise £5000 with any additional funds covering pitch maintenance, ugrading floodlights and club aesthetics.

A spokesperson for Raynes Park Vale FC said: "The global pandemic has created uncertainty for football across the world.

"The professional game is focusing on what support it can get from the government and when it can restart, but the non-league game has been left without support.

"A lot of teams in our league have financial backing and the majority are paid.

"However, we essentially pay to play which makes us different from any other teams in the league.

Speaking about the condition of the grounds, Raynes Park Vale FC added:"Our ground is extremely dated and needs a lot of work, however, we do not have the funds or resources to fix it.

"We often get ridiculed for our facilities, but we just work with what we have, along with a couple of volunteers that do all that they can.

"This is why we have come together for this, as we would love to make a change and encourage people to come down and see us.

"From the players to the coaching staff to the board; everyone at Raynes Park Vale is a volunteer. 

"We would greatly appreciate your generosity to help with keeping our community club going."

Raynes Park Vale FC plan to mark their 25th anniversary and thank everyone for their donations by hosting a free match once lockdown is over.

Donations reached £2214 out of the targeted £5000 at the time of publishing.

If you would like to help the club survive the outbreak visit at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/rpv2020