Roughyeds trio on the run

Time for a breather . . . Howard (third from left) with his pals from Blackley and North Manchester AC

Roughyeds regular Howard Mayers, who supports his home-town rugby league team with his wife Hazel and small boys Leo (9) and Sam (6), won't forget Covid-19 in a hurry.

Not only did the pandemic deny he and his whole family the pleasure of watching Matt Diskin's men at Bower Fold, it also stopped him and his sons training two evenings a week at Boggart Hole Clough with Blackley and North Manchester AC.

Instead, the running club decided to do a charity challenge for Wood Street Mission in city-centre Manchester - a children's charity which provides practical help for several thousand needy families, especially in the run-up to Christmas.

To meet the challenge, seniors were to run ten miles a day for ten days and juniors were asked to do one mile a day for ten days.

Club officials caught up with the run-away Roughyed at the end of his ninth day.

He had taken the opportunity to run that day in his Oldham Rugby replica shirt, as had Leo and Sam, who play for Limehurst Lions and love nothing better than to then dash off to watch Roughyeds with their Mum and Dad.

Said Howard (42), who lives with the family in Failsworth: "The running club's intention was to raise £500 for Wood Street Mission, but at the last count we had collectively raised more than £1,800 and it was still going up.

"I've ten miles still to do and my body is sore now, but one thing I've learned from being an Oldham fan for more than 40 years is that you never give up.

"We are running for a great cause and I'm proud to run in my Roughyeds shirt on some occasions and in the Wood Street Mission tee-shirt at other times.

"I was first taken to Watersheddings as a baby when Topliss, Hobbs and Worrall were in their pomp and I've been a keen fan ever since - and my whole family can't wait for next season, given the depth and quality of the squad that has been assembled in readiness for another Championship season."

LATE FLASH: Since the club talked to Howard, he has completed the 100-miles-in-ten-days challenge - and he celebrated with a triple toast to Roughyeds, to Blackley and North Manchester AC and to the great work done by Wood Street Mission.

If any of his fellow Roughyeds fans wish to donate they can do it by clicking here

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