Wairarapa United football boss Phil Keinzley is "stoked to bits" with the response to a fundraising drive aimed at helping his club fulfil their financial commitments in the 2012 season, commitments likely to run into six figures.
After being advised by some clients of his own company, Keinzley Agvet, that he should draft a letter to his "connections" in the local farming community seeking donations of $100 Keinzley, did exactly that, and the outcome has been far better than he ever anticipated.
Close to 200 donations have been received and with some being for more than the suggested amount $30,000 has already been raised.
"Honestly I didn't envisage anything like that, "Keinzley said yesterday, saying that Wairarapa United's history-making Chatham Cup success towards the end of last season had obviously struck a chord, not only with football followers but with the rural sporting community in general.
"A lot of dyed-in-the-wool rugby people have also got in behind us, simply because they love the idea of a Wairarapa team competing well against the best in the country," Keinzley said.