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Daily Mirror
Daily Mirror
Sport
Ricky Charlesworth

Forest Green chairman makes pledge to Swindon fan, 6, after heartwarming note goes viral

Forest Green Rovers have generously offered to pay for a mystery young Swindon fan to be a mascot at the two sides' upcoming games.

The footballing fraternity was captivated after a heartwarming note from a six-year-old Swindon fan emerged online.

The young supporter, who is only known as "Joe", sent the note to his favourite player Harry McKirdy - along with 26p attached for the striker.

The letter read: "Mummy doesn't have any money to come to Swindon games because she has no money for food and has to pay for my dinner at school.

"I like Swindon Town, Harry McKirdy. I will come one day. Joe, aged six-and-a-half.".

What did you make of the outpouring of support for Joe? Have your say in the comments section

Swindon Town received this letter from a mystery Town fan, aged six-and-a-half (Twitter/Swindon Town)

Since going viral, plenty of clubs and fans have put forward offers of match tickets, as well as efforts to pay for a week's worth of food for Joe and his mum.

Now, Forest Green Rovers' chairman Dale Vince has shown his generosity.

Writing on Twitter, Vince posted: "If Joe can be found, we'll pay for him to be a Swindon Town mascot for our game in March - stories like this must unite fans."

The two sides are scheduled to meet in a League Two clash at the County Ground on Saturday, March 26.

When Swindon Town shared Joe's letter, they explained their predicament.

"We'd really love to get in touch with Joe, but we don't have a return address," the club said over Twitter. "If anyone recognises the writing or thinks they know who Joe is, please email supporters@swindontownfc.co.uk."

A further update on Wednesday read: "We would like to thank everyone who has reached out in our search for Joe.

"We are currently still searching for Joe and his family and, once we have made contact, we will be ensuring that they get to a game in style and are well looked after by the club."

After the post received thousands of retweets and likes, with the official League Two Twitter account also sharing the appeal, a GoFundMe page was set up with the intention of raising money for Joe and others made their own offers.

It wasn't just fellow Swindon fans coming forward, either.

"Preston North End fan here - if you set up a crowdfund to get Joe (and his mum) an all-expenses paid day at the match I'll stick a fiver in," one wrote.

One Liverpool fan said: "If you find Joe, I'll gladly buy him and his Mum a ticket to a Swindon game, no problem".

In addition to offers of match tickets, there were plenty pledging to help in other ways.

"I can see there are lots of offers here for Joe and his mum to come to a game," wrote Tom Hartley, an assistant manager with Oxford United WFC.

"So, If you manage to find Joe id like to pay for a weeks worth of food shopping for them. Please keep us informed," he continued.

At the time of writing, a crowdfunder set up by Swindon fan Mark Bevan has already surpassed its £1,000 target - with the total at well over £2,500.

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