Last updated 15:01, Friday, 13 June 2008

BARROW Raiders’ chief executive and successful businessman Des Johnston has devised a radical plan to boost sport in Furness.

Des Johnston

Johnston, who has been a big money backer at Craven Park for the past two years, wants to see the creation of a central pot of funding for all the area’s clubs and organisations.

And the RL supremo hopes that up to 1,000 such people would put in their cash – creating a £1m pot to be spread around.

He said: “Whether we like it or not in life these days, it’s money that talks.

“There are a lot of people taking money out of the area and this town has been good to a lot of people.

“If you get 1,000 people and they all put £1,000 in then you have got £1m for sport in the area.

“It’s an idea — a way forward.”

Under Johnston’s proposal, both the town’s professional football and rugby clubs would receive big chunks of the funding — around £150,000 each — but that would still leave £700,000 for other groups and organisations in the borough.

And Johnston recognises the need to invest in all areas, especially junior sports.

“There would be one big pot to support the sports teams, the youth teams and the professional bodies of this town,” he added. “It would be a fantastic idea.

“All the children who are coming through, this trust would be there to help support the community’s future. It’s not just for now, it’s about the mini football, mini rugby and those kind of clubs.

“It’s to help all them.”

At present, Johnston’s ideas are just that — ideas.

But he feels there would be more than enough people in the town who would be willing to contribute to the fund.

He said: “There would be good publicity for everyone who puts £1,000 in.

“The companies would get great publicity. It would show them in a good light that they are not just taking from the community, but are putting something back as well.

“It’s about putting money back into the community.

“I think everyone just needs a shake. They just need a couple of phone calls, saying ‘Hey, you’re a millionaire, you’re a half-millionaire’, to all the solicitors, estate agents and such.

“We should just try and do it for this community instead of just taking, taking, taking. Too many people are taking and not giving back.

“It’s not everybody. There are a lot of generous people, but there comes a time when they can’t do it all by themselves.

“We need other people to contribute.”

He added: “These businesses and individuals will get a lot of satisfaction, whether it is golf, basketball, football, rugby, cricket, whatever, to be able to say they have helped with these clubs.

“It just needs a group of us to get together and get the ball rolling.”

l Former Barrow Raider Jamie Marshall, who left the club after being told his chances of first team football were limited, is expected to sign for Workington tomorrow.