Round-the-clock football fund-raiser raises £5,000

FEISTY footballers played through the pain to complete a gruelling round-the-clock challenge in support of soccer-loving Craig Nettleship.

Craig (28), who grew up in Brinsworth, is being treated at Weston Park Hospital for a brain tumour and his mates decided to rally round to kick off in aid of the hospital’s cancer charity.

But neither Craig nor his fellow players could have imagined the toll kicking a ball about all night and all day would have taken.

Among them was Richard Biddulph, who said it was “the single hardest day of my life” but added: “It’s something I’ll be very proud of for the rest of my life.

“I’m sure all the people involved at any stage feel the same way, not least because we were able to help Craig achieve something truly special.”

The dedicated players who made it through the 24-hour challenge alongside Craig included his brother James, dad Pete, father-in-law and brother-in-law David and Matthew Vickers, plus friends Nick Lilleker, Joe Muzalewski,

Mat Megson, John Stevenson, Gareth Edwards and Richard Biddulph.

Richard said the tiring squad of had suffered from soreness and extreme fatigue as they played on through the night but had vowed to see it through.

By morning, he said: “Every man involved was now only still moving for one reason; fear of letting Craig down. To a man we were determined not to fail.”

The fund-raiser, which saw more than 600 goals scored, brought in more than £5,000 for Weston Park Hospital Cancer Charity.

Craig was sent to see a doctor when he began suffering symptoms similar to tinnitus just weeks after returning from his honeymoon with new wife Claire last summer.

A scan which revealed a large brain tumour which Craig has twice had surgery to remove part of, as well as radiotherapy.

He had to live with having a tumour on a day-to-day basis while having regular scans and returned to work.

Football-mad Craig, who now lives in Barnsley, dreamed up the idea of a round-the-clock football match at Sheffield’s Concord Sports Centre to pay back staff at Weston Park for their care and treatment.

He said: “I have to live with anactive tumor as not all of it can be removed.

“I have been through radiotherapy treatment and may also need a course of chemo.

“I want to raise money for WPHCC because they have cared for me and continue to do so throughout my condition.”

Donations can still be made at https://www.justgiving.com/Craig-Nettleship.