WEYMOUTH are on course for a play-off date at the end of next month, after the staff and players passed an initial wave of coronavirus testing with flying colours.

The club has undertaken a great deal of work to be fully ready to host a home semi-final on or about the weekend of the 25th/26th July.

As part of preparations, manager Mark Molesley, his staff and the players have now had their first Covid-19 antigen tests. These have all returned as negative, enabling them to return to training in the coming week under the strict conditions laid out by the government.

In more good news for the club, a sub-committee set up by the board has managed to reduce the additional costs of the play-offs associated with coronavirus from £50,000 down to £35,000.

A club spokesman said: "The initial estimate for testing was based by the National League of testing 40 people twice a week for five weeks. Each test was quoted by their provider at £125 each.

"Other costs include the deep cleaning of the stadium after each use including training, provision of PPE, sanitiser, alterations to the stadium to provide one-way systems and zoning certain areas of the stand and concourse.

"The board has set up a sub-committee which over the past week has been able to reduce these costs down to £35,000 which is now our reduced target. This has been achieved by using a different testing strategy and the considerable mitigation work carried out by the team led by our Covid Officer Mark Golsby, the safety team and our stewards."

So far, around £25,000 has been raised by the club's incredible community. A spokesman added: "Without this kind of support and the willingness of others to freely give their time we would not be the unique club we are and able to participate.

"From the bottom of our hearts thank you all so much for your support which has not only come from our fans but also members of the wider non-league community."

To boost the fundraising, a limited edition play-off shirt has been released, which will be similar to the shirts worn by the Terras in their promotion push.

To buy one of the shirts, head to http://www.wfcsa.co.uk/shop/index.php or to donate to the fundraising campaign, head to Weymouth Football Club Play-Off Fundraiser.