By RUSSELL BENNETT
IT’S a club without a town, but it’s sure got one hell of a heart.
The Cora Lynn Football Club last Saturday night rallied around four of its own after a devastating blaze claimed their Clyde house.
The home Nick Helsby and Liam Toole shared with team mates Tom Arnett and Rob Matthews was destroyed last month – taking with it everything from couches to televisions, beds to washing machines.
But, in a sign of the group’s character, Matthews – whose family owns the property – said, “At least we’re just a group of blokes in our 20s and not a young family with kids.
“We really didn’t lose anything that can’t be replaced.”
But in a bid to help out members of the Cobra family, the club held a special fundraiser on Saturday at the clubrooms, after the senior side’s thumping home win over Poowong.
Senior captain Tim Payne helped organise the event, and sent out an invitation over Facebook.
Those who came along paid $20 each and many – including current Cora Lynn players – took part in an auction and raffle to help raise funds for their four mates.
More than $5000 was raised for the group, including more than $400 each for signed St Kilda and North Melbourne footy jumpers. A framed Buddy Franklin poster also sold for $550.
A percentage of all bar sales at the club on the night went to the boys, and Payne also opened a temporary bank account to accept donations.
Club secretary Melissa Toner said the event was a fantastic boost for the spirit of the club, which essentially has become Cora Lynn’s town centre.
Payne, 25, said he couldn’t be more proud of his club – stepping up in a time of need.
“This is all a reflection on the character of the boys (involved),” he said.
“Nobody has to do this, but these guys would do the same in our position.
“They’re really the lifeblood of this club.”
The Gazette would like to clarify that there was no rental agreement or lease entered into by the four footballers living at the Clyde house as reported on last week’s front page. There was an informal agreement with the Matthews family.
To find out more about the fundraising effort, search for the Cora Lynn Cobras on Facebook.
