Cash draw will boost club's fund for repairs

The Hardenhuish Park outfit are second in the Dr Marten's League Western Division and, should they continue their good form, they will be eligible for promotion to the Premier Division.

The club needs to bring the ground up to a standard required for the higher league by March 31.

The lottery was launched last Saturday, and is being held in conjunction with three other sides, Barwell United, Rugby Town and Bedworth United, with each of the clubs pooling their resources to provide a large cash prize.

Each week, tickets are being sold for 50p by a five-strong team of supporters, including Mr Swanborough and friends Dave Johnson, Stuart Ball, George Alty and Tim Wadsworth.

Each week participants pick out two numbers and if these numbers are the first drawn out of the televised National Lottery draw on a Saturday night, that ticket owner is the winner.

Chippenham took part for the first time last Saturday, selling 880 tickets, of which £220 went to the club, but although there were three winners, none were from the Bluebirds.

"The first prize this week was £900 but it is likely that within the next few weeks it will go up to £1,000," said Mr Swanborough, of Long Ridings, Chippenham.

Tickets are available at Hardenhuish Park on matchdays, and from the clubhouse, as well as the organisers. Mr Swanborough also wants pubs and shops to sell tickets.

"We are hoping it will get better and we will be able to involve more people to distribute the books."

The club is adding an extra 50 seats and six wheelchair places to the main stand, providing covered accommodation for 1,000 spectators, and putting in a third turnstile entrance, exit and segregation for away supporters.

It has applied for a £22,000 grant from the Football Foundation, and fans and businesses have been asked to sponsor a stand, seat or terrace space.