Story
2012 is going to be an inspiring year for Britain and for Sport. I also wanted it to be an inspiring year for me!
I love football, and I am a fan Portsmouth Football Club (Pompey). I’ve supported my team since I was a child. Being born and raised so close to the ground its fortunes have been a big part of my life, even continuing whilst living away from the City for many years now. Football is a passion and I proudly work for the Pompey Supporters Trust in trying to secure Fans a say in how the club is run and we are currently working to buy the club.
Late in 2011 I was thinking about which resolutions I could make to really make 2012 a year that would personally improve my life. It was when I thought about how to get fit that my mind turned to perhaps doing something momentous and amazing.
So… in August, I am going to quit my job, put on my walking boots and travel the length and breadth of the country between each and every football league ground. There are 92 in all – it will take me over 7 months and is a challenge that has never been attempted before.
I decided that I would take this opportunity in my life to do something I could be very proud of. My ambition was to:
- Catch people’s imaginations
- Raise some significant money for my chosen good causes and others
- Promote Fan unity as I go
So, in a nutshell, what is “Walk the 92”?
“Walk the 92” is walking to all the league grounds in all 4 professional divisions in the space of 8 months. I will attempt to see a match at every league ground I have not seen a match at before. This may prove impossible, but its one of the aims of the Walk.
What will “Walk the 92” achieve?
Aside from setting me a very daunting challenge and, hopefully, achieve a great personal vision, I aim to do a lot of good things for a lot of people. I hope that once the project is well known there will be some press momentum. I hope to be offered help from many groups that are involved in football and fan projects. Supporters Direct and Football Supporters Federation are two fan organisations I will approach that I am sure will offer their help and support.
This is also an open idea and people are welcome to join me to walk stages or legs with me and help fundraise as I go. One aim is to have a fan or group of fans look after me when I reach every club and arrange my time at that club. Once the idea has been launched fully, I am very hopeful it will attract ideas and enthusiasm.