Matlock Mercury columnist Jon Barry wasted no time getting into the fundraising spirit as an appeal to bring in cash for a new football stand was launched.

With the Mercury backing Matlock Town FC’s stand appeal, Jon contacted sports writer Gareth Davis to offer his services just before flying to Estonia on holiday.

Heading off to the Baltic Sea to watch Estonia v Moldova, Jon took a Matlock Town shirt and pennant in the hope of exchanging the pennant for merchandise to be auctioned off for the appeal.

Jon told Holdthefrontpage: “I’ve come away from paying £30 to watch Premier League football so I started going to watch Matlock Town. Gareth mentioned the new stand appeal just before I was going to see my brother in Estonia.

“I got tickets for the Estonia v Moldova game through my brother and took a Matlock Town pennant. I couldn’t get my hands on a shirt so I had to borrow Gareth’s.”

After the game, Jon “blagged” his way into the post-match press conference and met up with Estonia and Derby County goalkeeper Mart Poom.