If you turned up at Bill Harris Field, Nielson Park, East Lismore, for the Football Far North Coast Premier Division derby between Richmond Rovers and Goonellabah FC and been inter-state you might have wondered why the home side was wearing an all pink outfit, why the referee and linesmen were wearing pink caps and why the visitors Goonellabah FC were wearing pink bibs. Also why was there such a big crowd?

But if you had cast your eye on the pink-coloured tent you would have realised it was a day trying to raise funds for the local charity Jodie's Inspiration. In fact the fund-raising began at 7am and ended when the Rovers' players pink shirts were auctioned at the club's sponsor, East Lismore Bowling Club.

Goonellabah FC coach John Eakin, Jodie's Inspiration chairman Jesse Smith with Richmond Rovers' Chris Jones and Tom Gough before kick-off.

Richmond Rovers Premier Division side before kick-off with (left) manager Reece Smith and coach Todd Jones.

But first to the match. Goonellabah were fourth on the ladder, with Richmond Rovers fifth but with matches in hand on the topsides.

It was an entertaining first half with both sides trying to score the first goal. The Hornets sat back but looked to counter and capitalise on free kicks and corners, whereas Rovers tried to get in behind Goonellabah's back four.

"It was getting towards half-time when left-back Jayden Scutt hit an absolute screamer from outside the box into the goal. Jayden has this ability of really striking the ball hard and he does pull it out every now and then. I said to him if I was bombing up from left back then I would have a shot if I could strike it like him," said Rovers' coach Todd Jones.

"It was everyone's game up until then. I was very nervous every time they got a corner with the likes of Chris Clarke and Kurt Stephens in the box. Goonellabah defended very well, have a good goalkeeper.

"At half-time, there were a couple of things, but I told the players to keep enjoying themselves and have fun,"

Jones said.

Richmond Rovers' striker Jonathan See by the Jodie's Inspiration tent. Photo: Steve Mackney / Football Far North Coast

The second half again saw Rovers have the upper hand but struggle to get past the Hornets defence, who looked to break out at speed.

Then striker Jonathan See hit a shot which Goonellabah goalkeeper Brad Robertson did well to keep out but See was able to get hold of the rebound, take across the six yard box and plant it into the net.

Ben Sharkey came on for Andrew Casagrande and scored his first goal in Premier division with another absolute screamer before the end.

"It was a rocket from outside the box. It hit the post and went into the net and came straight back out," said Jones.

"I was very proud of the boys, they played really well. We will have to swear pink more often."

The players took off their kits, dressed and took them across to East Lismore Bowling Club where they were auctioned.

The pink kit worn by Richmond Rovers Premier Division players helped raise $11,000 on the day for the Lismore charity.

A staggering $11,000 was raised for Jodie's Inspiration.

"What an amazing outcome," said Jodie's Inspiration chairman Jesse Smith.

Richmond Rovers starting XI: Chris Jones; Shayne Smith, Mitchell Holland. Jeremy Perkins, Jayden Scutt; Jacob Heffernan, Sam Sharkey, Bobby Bugden; Andrew Casagrande, Connor McIntosh, Jonathan See.

Richmond Rovers' next match is against Alstonville at Bill Harris Field on Tuesday, July 23. Kick-off 8pm.

Football Far North Coast Round 13

Bangalow 3 Ballina 1

Alstonville 1 South Lismore Celtic 1

Byron Bay 6 Lismore Thistles 0

Richmond Rovers 3 Goonellabah 0

Points (matches played): Byron Bay 28 (15), Lismore Thistles 28 (16), South Lismore 26 (15), Richmond Rovers 24 (13), Bangalow 22 (14), Goonellabah 22 (15), Alstonville 18 (14), Ballina 0 (16)

Round 14

South Lismore v Ballina, Friday, July 26, 8pm

Byron Bay v Alstonville, Saturday, July 27, 3pm

Goonellabah v Lismore Thistles, Saturday, July 27, 3pm

Richmond Rovers v Bangalow, Sunday, July 28, 2.30pm