Footy-mad dad travels 97,000 miles for 80 kickabouts in 35 countries after falling out of love with beautiful game
A Rossendale teacher whose dad and brother played professional football travelled 97,000 miles to have 80 kickabouts in 35 countries - all so he could fall back in love with the sport.
"I just thought to myself 'why did I love football in the first place' and that was taking four jumpers for the goal post and a ball down to the local park and playing footy. So I just thought why not go and have a kickabout around the world and enjoy the game. "I didn't stay very long in each country, just about three to five days maximum. The beauty of it was that I could literally put my jumpers down everywhere so I've had games in streets and towns.
"I think I've only had about three games on a football pitch, they've all been in streets, towns or beaches which is the lovely thing about it, that people have been up for a bit of fun. It's wonderful to see people connecting, and we often stay together after the game, and go for a coffee and have a chat.
"Uganda was also a special place, with really warm people - I could go on, because the friendliness everywhere was just fantastic."
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