Legend Ernie's family '˜devastated' by club's silence over charity game total

Ernie Moss flanked by daughters Nikki and Sarah (Pic: Phil Tooley)

And Moss’ daughter Nikkie Trueman says she’s ‘devastated’ by what she sees as a lack of co-operation from the club, who haven’t confirmed how much money was raised by the event.

Team Ernie is a charity set up by family of the former Spireite Moss, who suffers from a rare form of dementia.

They organised a game at the Proact on 22nd May to raise awareness of Pick’s Disease and financially benefit charities like Dementia UK and the Once Upon a Smile Foundation.

But a month on it’s still not clear how successful the fundraising was.

And Mrs Trueman says the club have asked for £2,000 to cover stewarding costs.

“It’s been a month since the match and I’ve tried and tried to get a figure from the gate receipts,” she said.

“We’ve been passed from person to person and eventually I was told there was £4,000 in the safe but that wasn’t right because that would have been from ticket sales, what about card payments? I alone bought 100 tickets on card.

“My sister went down to the club and couldn’t get any answers.

“We’ve not had a penny.”

The stewarding bill has come as somewhat of a shock to the family as well.

“They’re charging us £2,000 for stewards. I didn’t expect everything to be free, all the money the club made on food and drink they kept, which I understand, but even people at the club have said they’re shocked at the amount for stewards.

“Quite a few of the stewards that I know said they would do it for free, but I was told I wasn’t allowed to choose the stewards.

“A few on the day said they would do it just for dad but then we’re told we’re being charged £2,000.”

Mrs Trueman says the delay has taken a toll on the family, after the high they experienced on such a successful day at the Proact last month.

“People are asking me for totals and it’s brought me to tears.

“It’s devastated my sister and I, we should just be able to get the figure and split the money between the charities.

“I don’t care how much was raised, just to see dad on the pitch smiling was worth all the hard work, but when you’re having to beg to find out how much it is, it’s just really disappointing.”

Chesterfield were contacted by the Derbyshire Times but refused to comment.