Five-a-side marathon a success

2:45pm Thursday 20th July 2006

At midday on Saturday at Marley Stadium, Keighley FC kicked off a 24-hour five-a-side football marathon that raised around £800 for the NSPCC.

In the hot summer conditions, more than 70 adults and children played in and supported the event, which was a huge success.

But as manager Andy Ryan explained: "It was far from easy and the 24 hours saw lots of incidents!

"We had people with blisters, sunstroke and injuries and players were dropping like flies.

"After 12 hours of football, some players legs gave up and by 6am the football had slowed to walking pace.

"Morale was low and just as the club were considering stopping the event, fresh legs started arriving again and the show went on".

Winger Paul Wilkinson, who was present for the whole 24 hours, said: "The fantastic support of friends and family lifted the players' spirits, they kept the score and the food and drink coming."

With one minute left of the 24 hours, the Blues scored their 200th goal to the Yellows 184.

Asked if the club would do the event again, midfielder Dean Baldwin said: "Not in a hurry but it was a great experience!"

Keighley FC would like to say a big thankyou to Lee Harding, KONE PLC and HSS Hire for the overnight floodlight donation.

The club thank everyone who sponsored and supported the event.

Keighley FC are welcoming any new players. Contact Andy on 07971040475.