AN auction of the third kit worn by Swindon Town on their way to the League Two title last season has raised more than £9,000 for charity.

Purple shirts were sold off by the club in aid of the Darby Rimmer Foundation, which helps fund the fight against motor neurone disease.

All 34 tops were snapped up by bidders, raising £9,096.27 in total.

The most expensive went for £1,000 and was worn by star striker Eoin Doyle, who scored 25 goals as Town clinched the championship in a season curtailed by Covid-19.

The shirt itself features the Darby Rimmer Foundation as its main shirt sponsor and the space was given to the charity at no cost.

It was founded by Town 2010 play-off hero Stephen Darby and ex-serviceman Chris Rimmer.

Darby was diagnosed with the disease in 2018 and used a pre-season friendly hosted by another of his former clubs, Bradford City, to help launch the foundation.

A spokesperson for the charity said: “Swindon Town Football Club have shown the foundation incredible support.

“By having the foundation’s name on the third kit was an amazing gesture and created great awareness for MND.

“For the club to then auction off the third kit which the players have worn and to donate the money raised is fantastic and the money raised will help make a a difference to people with MND.

“Swindon is a special club with special people and the foundation is very lucky to have the club and the fans supporting us in our battle.

“We owe everyone involved and everyone who has contributed a huge thank you.

“We are and will be forever grateful for the support Swindon Town FC and the fans have shown us. Thank you everyone.”

Originally the shirt was not going to be made available for public sale but in January a limited number were made available from the club shop.

This saw queues form outside the shop before it opened and the shirts sold out within a matter of hours. All the money made from those sales also went to the charity.

Rob Angus, deputy chairman of the Swindon Town Trust, bought one of the shirts and said Darby is the reason why the charity is well supported by Town fans.

He said: “It’s the link with Stephen. Although he only had that short loan spell it was quite a memorable time in the recent history.

“It’s fantastic to see the kit auctioned off to raise more money and obviously there was a limited number that went on sale and there were queues outside the club shop.

“It’s great to see a good amount raised.”