Shildon lad Mike Amos, retiring after 20 years as Northern League chairman, completes his 500-mile “Last Legs Challenge” with an eight-mile walk – the so-called Tour de Shildon – to Dean Street on Wednesday 4th May.
Shildon AFC manager Gary Forrest will be among those joining the walk ahead of the home match with Ashington that night. Others would be greatly welcome.
It could even be the night that Shildon are presented with the Northern League championship trophy for the first time since 1940. “That would be simply unbelievable and there’s only one person who’s ever going to get to do the hand-over,” said Mike, 69.
Educated at Timothy Hackworth School and a Shildon fan since short trousered childhood, he set himself the Last Legs Challenge – an average 12 miles to each of the Ebac Northern League’s 44 grounds – to mark the end of his 20-year term of office.
More than 480 miles have so far been covered and £22,000 raised – half going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation for cancer care and research and half, in £1,000 segments, to community-based charities nominated by the clubs themselves. “It would be great to top £25,000 that night,” said Mike.
The walk will start at 2.30pm from outside St John’s church, where in the early 1970s Mike was churchwarden, church council secretary and magazine editor. At the time he was also a Shildon Urban District councillor.
Though a route has yet to be confirmed, it’s likely to be through the park and to the station and Cattle Bridge, cross country to Red House Farm and then take in Brusselton before a final footpath route to the ground. A pre-match buffet will be provided for all walkers.
“It’ll be a gentle walk and hopefully a lot of fun,” said Mike. “It would be great to see old friends from school, church or wherever and better still if they were able to add a few bob in sponsorship.
“Shildon Football Club, its directors and supporters have already been hugely generous towards Last Legs and it’s great that Gary’s coming. It’s the happiest of endings that the final stage will be to Dean Street.”
*Donations to the Last Legs Challenge can be made electronically at www.justgiving.com/lastlegschallenge or by cheque made payable to the Northern Football League and sent to Mike Amos, 8 Oakfields, Middleton Tyas, Richmond, North Yorks DL10 6SD. Alternatively, of course, cash donations can be made anywhere along the May 4th route or at the ground.
Shildon & District's local community newspaper.
