TWO fans from opposite sides are joining forces to raise money for charity before the Cougars v Bulls cup derby on Sunday.

Mick Riddiough, aged 50, and Nick Pyrah, 45, are running from Odsal to Lawkholme Lane in aid of the Motor Neurone Disease Association.

They are both friends of former Cougars captain Phil Stephenson, who was diagnosed with the disease in June 2017.

Mick said: "We both know Phil from junior rugby league with our sons playing for Silsden Storm.

"I used to watch Cougars during the Cougarmania era, while Nick is a Bulls fan, so the cup draw fell quite nicely.

"A group of us were already down to run part or all of the Manchester Marathon on Sunday, April 7.

"When the draw for the Challenge Cup put the Cougars and the Bulls together, we had another think and on seeing Odsal to Lawkholme Lane is around the half-marathon distance, we have decided to run between the two grounds on Sunday, getting there to watch the match.

"It seemed a nice fit with the recent takeover at the Cougars bringing back memories of Cougarmania, Phil being made president at the club and with Phil's nephew (Alix Stephenson) in the Bulls squad."

Mick, from Cross Hills, and Nick, from Steeton, are still considering running half of the Manchester Marathon along with Nigel Moscardini from Silsden - depending on how this Sunday's run goes.

A series of fundraising events for MNDA in support of Stephenson, who also played for Clayton ARLFC, have taken place already.

Donations can be made at justgiving.com/fundraising/phil-stephensons-fundraising-team