The Voice of Spalding and South Holland
Moulton Harrox FC management duo Kev Nottingham and Bobby Patterson are going the extra miles for their club every night this lockdown.
While many managers might have put their feet up for the enforced mid-season break, the pair are putting theirs down to raise money for the ChromaSport Peterborough and District League side.
Kev (50) and Bobby (34) are being sponsored by the players to run as many miles as possible before the lockdown is lifted and football returns.
They’ve taken it upon themselves to attempt to raise £1,500 for the club to make up for the loss of income Moulton faces due to being unable to play and go into the clubhouse.
And Bobby reckons his players are getting worried about how much they’re going to have to shell out given the pair’s early efforts.
“During the first lockdown our treasurer was able to get a bit of sponsorship money and got people to donate towards the club by doubling it,” he said. “When we found out about the second lockdown we were looking at other fundraising ideas and I said to Kev ‘why don’t we just go running?’
“We give the lads a bit of stick for their training so we thought we’d get them to sponsor us for a mile and we’d see how far we can go during the lockdown.
“Kev’s 50 and I’ve not played for two and a half years so we’re not the best physical specimens.
“All of the lads have got involved and pledged a few pence a mile.
“It all adds up and at the minute we’re earning about £10 a mile for the club and that’s on top of other donations that total around £300.”
Given the pair have already managed to clock 54 miles between them, it’s looking like Moulton’s set for a big boost.
They’re giving the players regular milage updates and proof.
“We’re getting a bit of stick from them but it’s all good fun,” said Bobby who is on his feet a fair bit during the day working at George Adams Butchers in Spalding. “I think a few of the lads are getting a bit worried as they didn’t expect us to be where we’re at already in terms of miles.
“We’ve both been doing two or three miles in the evenings after work for the first 12 days of lockdown and we’ve got another 16 to go.
“We’re hoping to get up to a minimum of 120 to 130 miles by the finish.
“If we can make £1,500 for the club then that would be fantastic and ultimately it’s the players that will be the beneficiaries in the long run.
“I started playing for the club 20 years ago when I was 14 and it’s always been my home.
“I got involved with the coaching side with Kev this season and I’m really enjoying it.
“Kev’s been really successful in his years here and it’s just about us both giving something back to the club.
“Hopefully the funds help the club to tick over.
“It’s a tough time for a lot of clubs and for some who have been living beyond their means it’s going to be even tougher.
“We are lucky to have such a great club at Moulton Harrox FC where we all chip in.”
When asked if the pair will be fitter than their players when they get back into full training, Bobby says: “I hope not.
“They’ve all been given instructions and they need to keep ticking over.”
