Edinburgh City launch crowdfunder to help deal with coronavirus crisis in Scottish football

Capital club set up Just Giving page for supporters to contribute

Edinburgh City have launched a crowdfunder to help deal with the coronavirus crisis affecting Scottish football.

Several clubs around the country are already feeling the pinch with the sport shut down until the worst of the pandemic has passed.

With little income coming in due to the lack of matchday revenue and wages still to be paid, many teams are facing an uncertain future.

Ainslie Park, home of Edinburgh City. Picture: SNS

This includes Edinburgh neighbours Hearts who have announced players and staff have been offered either a 50 per cent wage cut or immediate termination of their contracts in order to avoid financial meltdown.

City thanked supporters who have already been in touch with the Ainslie Park side about contributing funds to keep the club stable.

They've asked fans to give to the newly-created Just Giving page rather than trying to buy merchandise.

A statement on the club's website read: "The club have been extremely touched by the various offers of generosity from our supporters and the wider football community since the start of the Coronavirus shutdown. The genuine warmth of feeling has been a great tonic during this unprecedented time.

"With the various limitations in place, ways of donating to the club such as buying merchandise or paying in advance for season tickets are not practical given the lack of clarity that is possible at the moment.

"With that in mind, the club has taken the decision to open a Just Giving page for those friends and supporters of the club who might like to make a donation, no matter how big or small.

"The club has come a long way since gaining promotion to the SPFL in 2016 and the current crisis is something that has created a huge amount of uncertainty moving forward.

"With the continued support of the board and our ever-growing support base and our generous sponsors, we will emerge from this and continue the club’s progression.

"This is #OurECFC and we thank you in advance for you kind help at this most difficult of times; most importantly though we hope everyone remains safe and healthy."

The Edinburgh City crowdfunder can be found at https://www.justgiving.com/crowdfunding/edinburgh-city-fc-coronavirus-help.

The club are looking to raise £10,000.