Football club is looking for young fan who sent money after mother couldn’t afford to see match

Joe wrote to the club saying he could not attend matches because his mother “has no money for food”. The boy explained that they don’t have enough money as his mother has to pay for his “dinner at school.” “I like Swindon Town Harry McKidy. I will come one day,” the handwritten note read.

📢 | We have received this letter from Town fan Joe, aged 6 and a half.

We’d really love to get in touch with Joe, but we don’t have a return address.

If anyone recognises the writing or thinks they know who Joe is, please email supporters@swindontownfc.co.uk#STFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/JFgLgNm2Lz

— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) February 15, 2022

The club shared the letter on Twitter asking people to help them find the boy, clarifying there’s no return address on the envelope. The letter came as McKirdy was named the PFA player of the month for League Two, after scoring six goals in January.

PLAYER NEWS ⚽️ | A big congratulations to our guy Harry McKirdy, who has won the @PFA @VertuMotors League Two Fans’ Player of the Month award for January!

🏆🥳🎉#STFC 🔴⚪️ pic.twitter.com/LoSSEm2cdJ

— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) February 14, 2022

Dale Vince, the chairman of another football club, wrote on social media that they would pay for Joe to be a “Swindon Town mascot” for an upcoming match in March if he can be found. “Stories like this must unite fans,” Vince wrote.

As the letter went viral, leaving many emotional, the club took a step further as many offered to help Joe and his mother.

In an update, STFC informed followers that they have partnered with a local food bank run by volunteers and “will be looking to set up a food bank donation point” at the County Ground, where the team plays its home matches to support families struggling to make ends meet.

With Joe sending his letter to the club, and the struggles that many families have, working with @GWReds we are joining forces with @FoodSwindon and will be looking to set up a food bank donation point at the CG supporting this great local charity #STFC 🔴⚪️

— Swindon Town FC (@Official_STFC) February 16, 2022

Netizens appreciated the club’s efforts not only to find Joe but also to take up the cause to help families struggling to pay for food. Many also suggested that the club can set up an account where people can donate money to contribute to the cause.

Hats off to you, much respect, hope you find the little lad.

— alison chesham (@alisonchesham) February 16, 2022

Great idea well done @OfficialSTFC , let’s hope more clubs follow this , if they don’t already …. @theterras ??

— Darrin Desmond (@DesmondDarrin) February 16, 2022

Great work @Official_STFC, none of us know when we would ever be in that unfortunate position of relying on kindness from others.

— Flowergirls (Michelle) (@Flowergirl0404) February 16, 2022

I really hope you find Joe. Heart is breaking ❤️

— Jolanda (@JolandaW1) February 17, 2022

I already had a love for this team, as a Villa fan, for how you’ve treated our loan players, but this makes me respect your team and fans even more. May have to buy me a Swindon kit before too long. Keep up the great work on the pitch and in the community!

— Conrad John (@VillaVirginian) February 16, 2022

please set up a justgiving page so that those of us who don’t live in the vicinity can donate. This money can thenbe used to buy produce for your foodbank. Lets demonstrate the #thepoweroffootball #avfc

— ajp (@McGregor1874) February 17, 2022

Come on guys, let’s find Joe! https://t.co/0PxkJqyLvO

— Jenna McGregor Jackson📷🌅💙 (@Jennababes) February 16, 2022

I’m no football fan, but hey let’s find Joe. And whoever is chopping onions can they pack it in 😭 https://t.co/dkeLwarx56

— Sy (@symhammond) February 17, 2022

Hope they fine Joe , what a sad state of affairs that a 6 year old knows about being too poor to put food on the table https://t.co/DN3DMJhkyT

— Darren reader (@DareaderReader) February 16, 2022

Thought about this overnight- I get the cynicism, but I think it’s clearly plausible that this is genuine. Truly sad state of affairs that people in our town suffer like this. If the mum wrote it on Joe’s behalf, it’s a cry for help. Our people deserve better. https://t.co/e3L2qeA5bL

— Yung Kurd🧞‍♂️ (@MichaelYavuz) February 16, 2022