How you can bet on a bullock's toilet habits and help Fylde Rugby Club secure £50k pitch transformation
Fylde Rugby Club is turning to a 500kg Highland bullock named Hugo to help reach a £50,000 fundraising goal for critical pitch renovations.
In a unique twist on community fundraising, the club will host the “Hugo the Highland Bullock Fundraiser” following its final home fixture on Saturday, April 18.
The main playing surface will be meticulously divided into 9,400 squares, each priced at £5.
In a high-stakes game of ‘Bullock Bingo’, the Fylde Rugby community is being invited to guess ‘Where will the Moo, Poo?’
The winner will be determined by exactly where Hugo decides to leave his mark on the turf.
The initiative, in partnership with Pembertons Farm Shop and Dairy of Lytham, aims to fund an extensive off-season maintenance programme across three pitches.
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The surfaces serve as the heartbeat of the club, supporting senior squads, the Fylde Rugby Community Foundation, and a thriving junior section of more than 450 young players.
Anthony Hoskisson, president of Fylde Rugby Club, believes the event's quirky nature is exactly what the club needs to secure its future.
He said: “We’ve been patching things up for a few seasons, but our pitches are the foundation of everything we do - from the first-team stars to the Under-7s picking up a ball for the first time.
“We wanted a fundraiser that would get people talking and laughing, rather than just asking for a donation.
“If we can sell every square, we’ll raise over £40,000 in one afternoon, which goes a massive way toward giving our players the elite-level surface they deserve.”
While Hugo provides the entertainment, the funds represent a serious investment in the local community.
The planned renovations include professional-grade resurfacing and drainage improvements to ensure the club remains a year-round hub for Lancashire rugby.
Squares are available for £5 each and can be purchased through the following channels:
- Online: Visit the official club website at https://fundraising.fylderugby.com/.
- In-Person: Available at the Clubhouse Bar during all match days.
- The Big Day: Hugo will make his grand entrance on Saturday, 18 April, immediately following the final whistle of the senior fixture.
Members of the public and local businesses are encouraged to "buy a clod" and support one of the North West's most historic rugby institutions.