Due to aching limbs and a tired mind this will be one of my shortest entries in the blog, but I have cobbled together a short video which I'll link to below where you can see lots of photos from yesterday's event as well a few silly clips from the night before. I'll apologise now for the odd word of a blue nature but I'm not apologising for myself and Roy being a pair of plums. It's what we do.
But aye, yesterday was an amazing experience. To push yourself so hard physically is a challenge even for someone as fit/young as I am, but in our team we had a wide range of age groups each with the aim of walking 24 miles in order to raise much needed funding for two fantastic charities. Some found it harder than others and I doff my cap to one lad in particular whose blisters were so bad that by around 8 miles in he was forced to 'silly walk' the next 16. But did he jump in the support vehicle? No. He soldiered on, smiling. It's that kind of attitude and spirit that I love about our supporters.
Hats off too to the walkers from Lincoln and Bradford who joined us for the final 5 miles. And massive respect to the Bradford kit-man who'd walked for over 24 hours all the way from Lincoln, some 60 or so miles. I don't think I'd fancy that. I should also give a mention to Barnsley FC's CEO, Ben Mansford who along with the clubs marketing man, Linton Brown, completed all 24 miles (27 miles if you include the bit where folk went the wrong way). He's gone well up in my book, Ben. A great attitude, great spirit. I think I've accepted him as a Barnsley man now. He was taken to hospital once he'd reached Valley Parade suffering from exhaustion and after an overnight stay I'm pleased to report he's back home now and looking forward to next season's walk....
I can't begin to explain the humbling feeling I experienced once we started to hit Bradford, with so many people giving us their support. People clapping us as we walked by, buses, cars beeping their horns. Some even came out from their front doors to thank us for what we were doing, I welled up at one point when an old chap in his City shirt stood at his gate clapping us, in tears. Folk were passing money through car windows and by the time we reached the city centre I found it all a bit too much for me.
Once we arrived at the stadium we were greeted by City staff who gave us a terrific reception and we paid our respects at the memorial at 1.30pm which again had me close to tears. Living over here in the city I'm all too aware of the impact the tragic events 30 years ago had on the community and whilst it was a sad occasion I felt proud to be playing a small part in remembering the 56.
After some food I departed to find a beer whilst most of the walkers stayed behind to do a lap of the pitch. I wasn't keen on doing that bit as I feel I'd have been far too emotional to cope, but the others were given a fantastic reception by the fans who were inside at that point by all accounts. I again became a wreck during the singing (in unison, both sets of fans) of You'll Never Walk Alone. Belted out the last few words in order to fight back the stomach churning going on. I associate that song with sad times (the fire at Valley Parade and the Hillsborough disaster) and happy (our promotion vs Bradford 18 years ago today), so aye, my feelings were all over the shop!
On the 56th minute of the match our fans began a respectful 'stand up for the 56' chant which was then joined in on by the home support and all four sides of the stadium were rocking for about a minute. I felt enormous pride at that point. Football IS only a game. It's the people that matter, and just like on May 4 2013 it was very special to be at a reds match where a rival Yorkshire club's fans joined us in a very united manner. Proud of that.
I will leave you now with the video link, and thank anyone who donated to the cause. Huge respect to my fellow 55 walkers from Barnsley too, there wasn't a bad egg among us (unless we're counting me) and over the last 12 months whilst the players may have struggled to put the required pride back into the town, I'm certain that the superb element of our fanbase definitely has done, in spades. Kudos to you all, and see you again soon. Maybe.
Here's the video, and like I say, no apologies for enjoying ourselves....
Love Barnsley, Hate Football
Whitey
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