Locals attempt to visit 92 football grounds in 92 hours for charity

It’s not often that I let an article get personal but this one involves my husband Matt Bigg, his Dad, Colin, and two friends Simon Dickerson and Kris Babb. The reason for my ‘family and friends’ news being that the four of them are going to attempt the challenge to visit 92 Football League grounds within 92 hours to raise money for our son’s football club, Harvesters FC.

So what has prompted this act of madness? Well, hubby has always been a big football fan, as are the other three involved. And annually this group get together for a football weekend, where they roll up in a European City and watch a game of topflight football. But this year Matt prompted the idea of doing something different and giving something back to the sport they love at a grassroots level. And so the gauntlet was thrown down.

Of course Colin, Simon and Kris rallied. And sure enough Colin set to work on an excel spreadsheet of magnificent proportions, plotting the route, estimating timings and setting out the plan for the lad’s tour of all lad’s tours. And now the dates have been set, the challenge kicks off in Watford on 27 April at 9am and is set to finish at the Seagulls homeground in Brighton on 30 April. Between then, the lads will visit as far afield as Carlisle in the North, Plymouth in the South West, Swansea in West Wales and Norwich in the east.

As proof of their visits to the clubs, the group will take photos outside each and every stadium. And Matt tells me that they are already on a promise of tea and cake after someone who lives opposite the Burton Albion ground caught wind of the challenge on Twitter!

The four will have a relay of driving, taking naps on the road, and probably not stoping for too many showers!

But let’s get back to what the challenge is all about - supporting grass roots football. Harvesters provide excellent facilities and footballing opportunities for boys, girls and those with learning difficulties. Their ground at Smallford boasts pitches and a state of the art Astroturf court, where over 400 youngsters enjoy the ‘beautiful game.’

Matt Bigg said “This is about supporting grass roots football. Harvester’s is becoming a hotbed of some great footballing talent, but in these difficult times we need some extra help to keep up the good work the club has worked so hard for since the early days.

“Since losing the World Cup bid, and therefore the chance of hosting the ‘Greatest Show on Earth’ for the fairly distant future, a lot of us fans have started to fear that our young players may lose some of the excitement and passion that a home-based international tournament inspires, and which contributes so much to the future of our national sport.

“We hope this event, be it just seen as ‘a lad’s own tour’, might put the aspiration of young footballers back on the map for clubs like ours all over the country.”

Harvesters FC’s Youth Team Manager, Ted Moody said: “Matt’s a brave man! But seriously, we are very grateful for his help and hope the youngsters of every ability who play here so enthusiastically will benefit from this great effort in whatever way we can provide.”

If you’d like to find out more or would like to donate, please visit:

http://92grounds92hours.blogspot.com/

Do you think they’ll do it? Share your thoughts on the challenge below!