Preston Athletic players swap boots for bicycles in fundraiser

Members of Preston Athletic FC’s squad got on their bikes to raise money for the club and the NHS on Saturday, August 1.

A dozen players, as a relay team, cycled from Dunbar United’s New Countess Park through East Lothian, Midlothian and Edinburgh before reaching the finish line at their home ground, the Pennypit.

Kai Austin was among those setting off from the Seasiders’ ground at about 8am but had to make a quick substitution before kick-off.

He said: “I had not checked my bike for about a week beforehand.

“I was putting it into the car and noticed the back tyre was flat.

“I thought we would pump it up when we got there.

“After we arrived, my girlfriend drove away and I was walking along and noticed the tyre was flat again.”

Fortunately, one of Kai’s team-mates for the cycle had a spare bike and they were quickly able to get on the open road.

The fundraiser came about with players deciding to visit 20 football grounds – the home of 21 teams – ahead of the 2020/21 season.

The first stop was at Millfield (home of Haddington Athletic), before going on to Foresters Park (Tranent Juniors) and New Recreation Park (Ormiston).

The second group of cyclists ventured into Midlothian and ticked off King’s Park (Dalkeith Thistle), Newbattle Complex (Easthouses Lily), New Victoria Park (Newtongrange Star), Newbyres Park (Arniston Rangers), New Dundas Park (Bonnyrigg Rose) and Ferguson Park (Whitehill Welfare).

Nathan Stokes, who plays in midfield and up front, was among the third group, who completed the Midlothian section by travelling on to Penicuik Park (Penicuik Athletic).

Then it was into the Capital and Paties Road (Edinburgh United), Meggetland (Tynecastle), Saughton Enclosure (Lothian Thistle Hutchison Vale) and Christie Gillies Park (Civil Service Strollers).

Finally, the Edinburgh section was complete with a visit to Ainslie Park Stadium (Spartans), St Marks Park (Craigroyston) and Peffermill (home of both Edinburgh University and Leith Athletic) before returning to East Lothian and Olivebank (Musselburgh Athletic) and the Pennypit.

Nathan, 22, said: “To get to Peffermill, we came down Cameron Toll.

“From the Commonwealth Pool, it is all downhill and by that point my legs were screaming.

“For me, it was a nice relaxing run down there and when we reached Peffermill we knew it was only 15 minutes to Musselburgh and then another 15-20 minutes to the Pans. Getting to East Lothian was definitely a psychological boost.”

The cyclists finished at the Pennypit shortly after 4pm, where they were met by the participants from the earlier legs.

Right-back Kai, who lives just metres from the ground in Prestonpans, was among those at the finish line. He said: “We had the people that did the cycle and some people there that were not able to do it because of injury.

“The club put on a socially distanced get-together and put on some sausage rolls and pies.

“We were sitting in the stand and were there for them arriving and cheered them in.”

Nathan, of Wallyford, was delighted to reach the finish line, with the cyclists completing 130 kilometres over the eight hours.

He added: “The aim was to get £1,000 and then we raised £1,150.

“We are really chuffed and ideally I would like to raise another £50 so the cash is split into £600 each.

“I think I was chuffed and on Saturday Hearts tweeted us and wished us luck.

“We have got a few Hearts fans in the team so they were happy.”

To support the good cause, go to justgiving.com/crowdfunding/prestonathletic