A HUGE drive is being made to increase funds for Town's Academy.
The Development Association are in charge of trying to raise £589,000 this season to keep the junior production belt in full flow.
Town fans provide almost all that by supporting organisations connected to the club.
The funds are independently administered by the Development Association and are directly for the Academy.
Last year, the cost of running the Academy was just over £½m and the Development Association fell short of meeting that cost by £38,000 (an amount made up by the club).
More cash is going to be needed in future to keep the homegrown talent pushing through the ranks into Peter Jackson's first team, hence the new drive to encourage fans to get involved.
"Our budget for 2005-06 is to raise £589,000, an important but daunting task," said Development Association chairman George Binns.
"All the revenue comes directly from Town supporters and the income streams need to be increased to meet the Academy's modest but vital needs for the current year and for the future.
"Very shortly, additional funds will also be required to upgrade the Storthes Hall training complex to meet the standards required for the club, among other things, to retain the Academy status.
"If this doesn't happen then a vital player production line will be lost."
Cash goes to the Development Association from the Blue & White Foundation, On The Move lottery, Yorkshire Building Society's Terriers Account and the Disabled Supporters Club.
The Patrons Association, Town Sporting Club, Supporters Club, Supporters Trust and Young Terriers also support this single, highly important cause.
"Our sole aim is to support youth football and the Development Association is committed to independently funding Town's Academy," added Mr Binns.
"All money raised, from whatever sourse, is administered by the Association and does not go through the club accounts, so it cannot be syphoned off for any other purpose. It has to go to the Academy and the Academy alone, which is vital for the future.
"Everyone who supports the organisations mentioned knows their money will be well used, and the proof of the pudding has very much been in the eating in recent seasons.
"The Academy's contribution to Town's recent success and current excellent situation is plain to see.
"And that's why the future of the Academy is so crucial.
"For the sake of the club, the Development Association is vital.
"And we would say to every supporter - if you crave success for Town then continue to play your part.
"Get involved in any way by joining the organisations which will help the Development Association and, if any business or commercial enterprises want to support in any other way, they can contact myself, as chairman, or any member of the committee and we would be delighted to hear from them.
"As I've said, we can't stress enough that all the money goes to the Academy, which has been so successful for us in recent years, and can't be used for any other purpose - so it's a wonderful way to help the future of the club."
Town have more homegrown players graduating to their first-team squad than any other club in the country, and they are second only to MK Dons for fielding young players.
Half the 16 on duty in the 2004 play-off final at the Millennium Stadium were home produced players.
And the trend has continued as Peter Jackson has taken the club forward, with 15 Academy players being used in senior squads for the League and three Cup competitions.
Indeed, every outfield player who finished the LDV Vans Trophy tie at Boston last month was from Town's own Academy production line.
The now busy Development Association, established in 1970, has a 14-strong committee.
Six supporter organisations are represented along with six club-orientated bodies.
The other two are totally independent members, the chairman Mr Binns and vice-chairman Brian Buckley.
Town chief executive Andrew Watson said: "The benefit of having a strong youth policy is essential at any level of football.
"When the club came out of administration, people were telling Ken Davy and I in July 2003 that the Academy wasn't working and was expensive.
"We had no doubts about it, however. The Academy is a credit to Gerry Murphy and his staff and also to the manager, Peter Jackson.
"I think we can safely say it's working!"
Players like Nathan Clarke, Andy Holdsworth, David Mirfin and skipper Jon Worthington are now firmly established in the senior side with many others on the fringes.
Academy manager Gerry Murphy said: "The Academy is all about the outcome, and we are very pleased with the results we are getting.
"It's a great credit to all the staff, part-time and full-time, who work tirelessly to develop young players for the first team.
"It's the best feeling you can have when you see someone you've known since he was eight years old making his first-team debut!"
Manager Jackson added: "The Academy's contribution to the first team is absolutely crucial.
"We are seeing the benefits week after week, game after game and it's no surprise to me that we've had the most Academy players come through the ranks to first-team level."
