Sunday 29 November 2009

GREAT GAME BUT NO FUNDRAISING

Yet another spectacular game of football was played in front of the Runcorn2wembley fundraising team as MK Dons narrowly defeated Exeter City 4-3 in the FA Cup second round.

The reward for an astonishing victory is a home tie against Premiership new-boys Burnley.

But it could easily have been Exeter City who hosted the Clarets as they came back from a 1-0 halt-time deficit to lead 3-1 with little more than 20 minutes remaining.

MK Dons' manager Paul Ince would point to an inspired double substitution as both players scored at vital times to secure victory.

The disappointing aspect of the game was the denial of MK Dons to allow the Runcorn2wembley team of volunteers to collect from the 4,800 fans at the game. The total money raised for Cancer Research UK still stands at just over £2,500, halfway to the target of £5,000.

Over ten people were prepared to give up their entire Saturday to come and collect, but with no collection just three of the team made the trip.
The trio, Runcorn2wembley founders Richard and Robert Knowles, and Chris Horner, were at least given free entry by MK Dons and a football signed by the MK Dons players. If anyone would like this ball please let me know and it will be yours for a donation to the fundraising campaign.

So onto the FA Cup third round and MK Dons at home to Burnley. I expect the StadiumMK will be full and will keep everything crossed that MK Dons will let the team collect.

I'll be contacting Burnley too and asking for their help in publicising this campaign.

I'd like to thank everyone associated with Exeter City for their valued support and hope they have a successful rest of the 2009/10 campaign.

Updates will appear here this week.

Thursday 26 November 2009

MK DONS V EXETER CITY PREVIEW

Just under 24 hours before the next leg of the Runcorn2wembley fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK, and the weather is turning a little wintry - time for hat, cap, scarves and badges!

The usual collecting process that the campaign relies on the generate funds and meet the £5,000 target will not be in place for the game.


MK Dons have turned down our request of collecting outside the ground meaning the grand total of money raised for Cancer Research will be more or less the same as it is now, £2,500.

All members of the team are disappointed to be denied the chance to collect money at the biggest game of Runcorn2wembley's FA Cup run so far.

Everyone hopes fans of both MK Dons and Exeter City go online and donate something to the cause.

Let's not forget Exeter City fans helped in the biggest collection to date, in the previous round's game at Nuneaton Town. Nearly £500 was collected that day from just under 2,500 fans.

With over 8,000 expected at MK Dons a big total was expected to boost the overall total.

We respect MK Dons' decision and thank the club for giving us four free tickets to watch the game. The four members of Runcorn2wembley who attend will pay the value of the ticket to the campaign.

I hope the team will still be able to collect some money by going to The Beacon pub and the link path to the stadium from Asda.

Anyone who is at either site look out for us, we'll be dressed in blue or white t-shirt and have blue buckets. All donations will be gratefully received.

Coverage has been coming in again as we gear up for this FA Cup second round game. My local paper the Chester Chronicle has updated readers on the campaign's progress, I'll link this next week.

Big thanks to Peter and Andy at Exeter City for putting information about the campaign on the club's website, which I've already linked on here.

The club, via these two guys, have said they will help with any collection should Runcorn2wembley reach St James Park. Your support is appreciated.

Another big thank you to Joe and everyone at Exeter FM. Joe will be interviewing me on Saturday's afternoon programme at 1.30pm, so tune in!

I'm looking forward to the game and hope the best team progresses and gets the best tie possible in Sunday's FA Cup third round draw. Whoever wins we'll see you in the third round!

Monday 23 November 2009

WE'RE ALL OFF TO MILTON KEYNES

As November reaches its end 'Runcorn2wembley' strikes up again with a trip to Milton Keynes, raising money for Cancer Research UK.

The campaign, which is following the FA Cup from the start to finish, is now halfway to reaching its fundraising target of £5,000 with bigger crowds and games yet to come.

This weekend will be the biggest crowd by far, as I expect over 8,000 to watch MK Dons take on Exeter City for a place in the third round.

A potential money-spinning game in the next round will spur on both teams and their supporters.

Nerves will play a part but I hope it's a good game and the best team progresses.

The teams had contrasting games over the weekend, with the Grecians securing a good 3-1 win away at Stockport County and the Dons falling to an injury time defeat at Southend United.

Publicity has been very good on the Exeter City website (click here for link) and I'm sure Milton Keynes Dons will afford equal generosity.

I'm still to hear if they will grant permission for a collection before the game on Saturday, but I'm confident this will come through on the next couple of days.

As with all games the home team has been brilliant in allowing me and the team to collect from fans before during and after the game. This has helped move the total money raised to what it is.

Fingers-crossed MK Dons continue this goodwill.

More news later this week and information on everyone who'll be attending and collecting for 'Runcorn2wembley.

Wednesday 11 November 2009

GRECIANS DOWN TOWN

A combination of work, personal committments and being stuck on our beloved motorways has led to me not updating the blog as often over the last two weeks.

I hope this post will cover most of the activity that's happened. On to the latest game and the FA Cup first round clash between Nuneaton Town and League 1 side Exeter City.

Firstly a big thank you to my brother Rob, neighbour Johnny and new 'Runcorn2wembley' friend and collector, Chris Horner.
The game at Nuneaton on Saturday was a big effort as it was the biggest crowd of the campaign and everyone worked wonders to collect and speak to supporters about the collection.
I'd also like to thank everyone associated with both clubs for the support and coverage before the game, and the hospitality shown by everyone at Nuneaton Town.

Without any of this the collection and campaign wouldn't have continued on its successful journey.

The game itself was witnessed by many pessemistic Exeter City fans, nearly all convinced they would be beaten.
Their fears were eased after just three minutes and by half time a 4-0 lead was not unexpected given the pressure on Nuneaton's goal, but a little flattering.

The second half Nuneaton performed very well and with a bit more luck could have scored at least a couple of goals, which would have made for an interesting finale.

As it was Exeter held on and now face another away trip, this time to fellow League 1 side Milton Keynes Dons.


A crowd of almost 2,500 at Nuneaton gave the campaign a huge boost as we raised £460, taking the grand total to almost £2,500; halfway to the target total for Cancer Research UK.

The date and kick off time of the next game at Milton Keynes Dons is yet to be confirmed but I suspect it'll be on Saturday 28th November at 3pm.

I hope to have ten people helping with collections at the game to make the most of a crowd in excess of 8,000.

Tuesday 3 November 2009

COVERAGE CONTINUES WITH NUNEATON

As the next round of the FA Cup fast approaches, coverage of the FA Cup fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK continues to attract media coverage.

'Runcorn2Wembley' has taken in different areas of northern England and the Midlands, but has always been followed by local and regional media outlets.

Some media have followed the campaign from the start and continue to do so, even as it travels to areas beyond it's circulation range.

The Chester Chronicle (my local weekly newspaper) regularly updates its readers of the progress and I'm pleased the total continues to rise at each report.

The football clubs have also covered the campaign which is very helpful when collecting at games as fans already know why we're there.

Nuneaton Town are the latest club to do so; the coverage can be seen by clicking here

The latest Chester Chronicle coverage can be seen here

A non-league website has also covered 'Runcorn2wembley' as the Unibond League (to which Guiseley and Kendal Town play in) featured the campaign. To view that click here

I've also found new coverage on the Guiseley Advertiser; it can be found here

The coverage is great to spread the word about the campaign, but it will only succeed if people donate via the online donation site.

To donate or see how much has been raised so far go to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

A preview of the first round game between Nuneaton Town and Exeter City on Saturday will appear here on Friday.