Hayfield Juniors FC run to Wembley and back to fund clubhouse

Players, parents and coaches are all clocking up miles every day to achieve the target - with one energetic dad and his player son clocking up over 12 miles each in a single morning.

The team have already raised enough for a club smart sign but are also raising cash to build a clubhouse on Bank Vale where they play.

The club, founded in 2008 and home to over 180 players, had a taste of success in the 2019-2020 season - with their under 12s’ team winning the Manchester Youth League First Division.

Youngsters were on their way to the league final before it was cancelled by the pandemic however volunteers say the club ‘desperately’ needs a clubhouse.

Gabrielle Pickard Whitehead, 42, whose son Charlie, 11, is on the team said the club was a real focal point for the village, adding ‘they’ve done great this year - we played against some tough teams’.

But she said: “The club meets at Bank Vale and it’s not state-of-the-art - the next stage for us is a clubhouse.”

Mum-of-two Gabrielle has been running with her son and club member Charlie, 11, - putting in over four miles a day.

She said: “During the lockdown this has really helped us get out there - fortunately for me Charlie is a great little runner and he’s been like a godsend.”

Jane Beesley is joining the effort along with her husband Jonny - who coaches the Under 13s - and her four children, James, Calum, Erin, and Finlay, all of whom play for HJFC.

She said: “The pandemic meant all sports had to temporarily stop - including my family’s beloved football.

“My children started off doing 3km a day but as their friends were doing more and sneaking up the leaderboard their competitive streak came through and now they go out doing lots of miles every day.”

Speaking about husband Jonny and son Calum’s impressive 12-mile effort Jane said ‘well now of course the others want to do it’.

She added: “I’m hoping everyone is enjoying the challenge and we can make some money for our football club to help build a clubhouse.

“Running is definitely taking my kids’ minds off what is going on in the world and giving them something to concentrate on.”

The team has a fundraising target of £2,000 - to make a donation click HERE.

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