Our Club, Our Community Spirit

Hi Everyone and welcome back to ‘Robbo’s Column’.

This month I want to say a huge ‘Thank You’ to everyone.

Between Monday 20th July to Sunday 26th July 2020, I took part in the ‘Montane Lakeland 100’ virtual race, raising money for the football club. This race is normally done as an ultra-marathon set in the heart of the Lake District, starting, and finishing in Coniston. The race is normally run alongside the ‘Montane Lakeland 50’ which starts in Dalemain and finishes in Coniston. I decided to take on the 100-mile race after doing the 50-mile race the previous six years, and I was meant to be competing in the 50 race this year. With the current COVID 19 situation and the actual race being cancelled the race organisers decided to hold a virtual race. The only twist was that the 100 race is measured as 105 miles or 169kms. I started the race on Monday and had finished by Friday 24th July. I had great support throughout the week, and some of the players, coaches and parents were on hand to support and run with me on Saturday to add a few extra km. I managed to complete 170.5km in 20 hours 19 minutes. 

When I was doing the mileage and kilometres each day, I truly sensed the community support and spirit within the club, from good luck and motivational messages of support when it was raining and all I wanted to do was stay indoors and stay dry, to people donating money for the club and by sharing the link on social media. With this happening, I felt that I was not running alone. I had the true spirit of the club following and supporting me. This gave me a real sense of being part of a community club and for us all supporting each other as one. This has been evident from day one with other members of Southport Athletic JFC raising money with Alan’s head shave, Paul and Ben’s bike ride, Pete’s leg wax and the run I did. The community and club spirit have been so immense, and I think the previous few months has shown some raw emotion, intensity and how we are as a club. With the changes that have had to happen, how everyone has been affected, what people have seen and how they have felt things have happened, but everyone has shown one message. That even in the darkest moments, we as a club and community are not alone.

We are Southport Athletic JFC, and I can not wait to see our first games of the season and for us all supporting all the teams with all the desire for the love of the game and club. To me, this means so much, and I am truly honoured and humbled to be a part of your club, Southport Athletic JFC.