Fans of Workington Reds have emptied out their pockets and piggy banks to help raise funds for a new mower.

Club director Ross Peacock has set up a website page asking people to donate to its £3,000 target.

More than £2,600 has been raised in just over a week.

The mower will be used by ground staff to help maintain the pitch at Borough Park.

They currently use an old heavy roller and rakes to make the pitch playable.

If at least £3,000 is raised by 9am on September 26, the club will be able to buy the mower.

About 50 people have pledged money to the campaign.

Steve Durham, director, said: "We probably wouldn't have been able to raise the money without the project.

"The groundsman's job is the toughest and worst job in football.

"Our groundsman Jeff Curwen does a wonderful job and has done for many years. It'll make life that bit easier for him.

"Thank you to all the people who have contributed.

"We were quite confident it would work, but it's been quicker than we thought.

"The problem with non-league football is that you back to the same people for things like raffles, so for them to come up with the goods again is quite humbling and they obviously care about the club."

Mr Curwen is the only paid member of ground staff and some volunteers also help out.

He was sometimes at the ground at 7am on match days to make sure games could go ahead for their 3pm kick-off last season.

He said: "It will make life easier. I've been wanting one for a while. I was rather pleased when I found out about the campaign.

"It will be a big help in winter. Last winter was horrendous and we were struggling to get games on."

The online appeal says: "In each of the last two seasons, Workington Reds have qualified for the end of season play-offs in the Northern Premier League.

"Last season we came especially close to promotion with our talented players winning 4-3 in an amazing semi-final away at Blyth Spartans, before running Salford City close in the final.

"To help our team push on, we are working to improve our pitch at Borough Park.

"We have wonderful people who look after it, but the weather on the West Cumbrian coast has been particularly unkind over the last couple of years.

"The result is awful playing conditions. While the pitch is the same for both teams, Reds players had to play on that surface week in, week out.

"Some players were injured, others ran out of steam towards the end of the season after repeatedly playing on such a heavy pitch.

"We also have a reserves side and a ladies team, both of which would ideally play all of their games at Borough Park.

"Given the state of the pitch from early January to March last year, their opportunities to do so were very limited."

To help Workington Reds and Jeff hit the £3,000 target, visit www.crowdfunder.co.uk/workington-afc-mower-appeal