YOUNG footballers from Northwich are putting in a team effort to tackle the problem of not being able to train or play during lockdown, while raising money for charities.

The Northwich Victoria FC Juniors’ Under 15 Villa team has taken on the challenge to visit the players’ favourite football clubs and the teenagers are working collectively to run, walk, or cycle 439 miles from Hibernian FC in Edinburgh, to Chelsea FC in London.

They’ll be virtually visiting Manchester City’s Etihad stadium, Manchester United’s Old Trafford ground, Liverpool FC’s Anfield stadium and Stoke City’s bet365 stadium along the way.

With non-elite football suspended following the latest COVID-19 restrictions, the virtual challenge is a great way to keep the lads motivated and training during lockdown.

The 15 players, who only started the challenge last Monday, have already clocked up 191 miles between them – so far taking them to just outside Manchester City’s ground, and have raised almost £100 for St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice, and £175 for Cancer Research UK in just a week.

The challenge was the idea of Tom Thompson, whose son Sam plays for the team, and has been fully supported by manager Steve Roberts and assistant managers Tony Rogers and Ewan Gadsby.

Tom said: “It’s been a tough year for junior football but Steve and his team, who are all volunteers, have kept the lads busy with regular training and matches when they’ve been able to.

“Many of the matches were played behind closed doors due to restrictions, but the assistant managers kept the parents up-to-date with the action, posting real-time updates in the parents’ WhatsApp group. They’ve been absolutely fantastic.”

Steve added: “We are incredibly proud of the boys. The past year has been a huge challenge for all involved with grassroots football – especially the players themselves – as training and matches were stopped, started, and stopped again due to COVID-19.

“Despite not being able to meet up and play the game they all love, the team has got together to embrace this challenge, to get fit and to raise money for these great charities.”

To support the team in the next leg of the challenge you can make a donation via JustGiving, by choosing the team’s Cancer Research UK page or St Luke’s (Cheshire) Hospice page.

To find out more about Northwich Victoria FC Juniors northwichvicsjfc.co.uk