Against a backdrop of severe financial difficulties, Lowestoft Town fans finally had an opportunity to demonstrate how determined they are for their club to survive.
Although last night's home match against high-flying Dulwich Hamlet provided a welcome distraction from off-the-pitch matters, it was - in all truth - overshadowed by an undeniable feeling of uncertainty.
With recent games against Hendon and Wingate and Finchley postponed, the visit of the south London side was the first since the extent of the Trawlerboys' money problems were revealed in a statement from the board of directors earlier this month.
'Save our club' banners greeted supporters as they came through the turnstiles at the Amber Dew Events Stadium, while resolute campaigners swept the perimeter of the pitch with collection buckets.
Despite the less-than-ideal situation, there remained an air of optimism among the majority of the 378 fans who braved the cold to watch the Blues succumb to a 3-1 defeat against the Bostik Premier League table-toppers.
Leading the charge amid the period of financial turmoil is Helen Nixon who, as Lowestoft Town's fundraising committee chairman, helped launch the £50,000 GoFundMe appeal.Speaking pitchside, she said: 'The supporters here are absolutely brilliant and we need this club for the good of the town.
'I'm optimistic about the future; we just need the right information from the club so that we can understand the task at hand and work together as one going forward.'
Lewis Cleveland, a keen Blues supporter since he was a young boy, said: 'This wasn't too much of a shock but it's a real shame. It's not something you like to see happen to any club.
'It's good to see the buckets around the ground tonight; after all, every little helps. You'd like to think that the whole town is going to come together and help to try and save the club.'
Tomorrow night, March 22, will see the club host a supporters meeting, where fans will get the chance to hear more about the club's financial situation.
The concern among the Lowestoft faithful, though, is finding out what's going on behind the scenes and being able to make their feelings known.
'There's a lot we don't know, and won't know until Thursday night,' said Billy Snowling, another regular.
'I'm hoping we're going to be able to ask questions – I will most certainly want to.'
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