SEASON FINALE

So the 2009/10 FA Cup has finished for another season, but the charity campaign that followed it from the start wasn’t there at the finish.

Despite clocking up thousands of miles following the competition, Runcorn2wembley was unable to complete its mission at Wembley.

The campaign, organised by brothers Richard and Robert Knowles has raised almost £4,500 for Cancer Research, but is short of the £5,000 target.

The duo started the campaign in August at Runcorn Linnets, all in the name of their father who played for a number of amateur clubs but died from cancer when they were young children.

Despite pleas to local councils, the football clubs, police and The FA, Runcorn2wembley was unable to carry out the main fundraising activity of collecting from fans outside the ground before the game.

The campaign was unable to collect or attend the semi final or final and therefore has fallen short of the £5,000 target.

Richard, from Frodsham, said: “We’re delighted to have raised so much money for a cause close to our hearts, but disappointed with the reaction of various organisations to Runcor2wembley attending the semi finals and final at Wembley.

“Being denied permission to collect at Wembley has meant we’ve not reached our target, although credit must be given to the fans and clubs that have been very welcoming to Runcorn2wembley.”

Robert, from Southport, is hoping online donations will continue to boost the total. He said: “The FA Cup may be over for this season, but fans can still donate online.

“I’m not sure we’ll be doing this again for the foreseeable future as Richard and I will both be parents by the time next season’s competition beings.”

To donate simply go to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

YORKSHIRE IS MY NEW HOME

What a great day on Saturday; watching the 'fourth' (second qualifying) round of the FA Cup fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK.

Rob and I travelled to Guiseley from Southport, after a night out celebrating the birth of his son (my nephew) Isaac.

Arriving in Guiseley, to watch them face Bamber Bridge, I met with Chris and Patrick O'Brien and Patrick's friend, Simon Baggley. They were all helping with collections before, during and after the game.

The welcome from Guiseley AFC matched that of the previous clubs I'd been to (Runcorn Linnets, Bamber Bridge and Maine Road).

As we split into three groups the donations from the 300+ spectators was very generous and by kick off we'd collected around £30 in each bucket.

The match was played in brilliant warm sunshine and the crowd was entertained with some tactical play by both teams, eager to secure passage to the next round of the FA Cup.

With chances at a premium it was Guiseley who took one of two that came their way in the first half and were 1-0 up at the break.

The second half was again tactical with tiredness a factor as both teams created chances. Guiseley's greater pressure finally brought another goal, but Bamber Bridge can count themselves unlucky not to have scored at least a consolation.

All in all a good game and the runcorn2wembley campaign for Cancer Research UK will now follow Guiseley AFC.

After the game further donations were made and the grand total was £171.05, taking the overall total to over £800. Fingers crossed we can reach £1,000 by the next round.

The draw has been made and we'll make another trip to Yorkshire as Guiseley face fellow Unibond Premier League side Kendal Town.

With both team in the top 5 of the division is promises to be a fascinating clash.

The match is scheduled for Saturday 10th October so hope to see you there. More on the campaign later this week.

Don't forget it's not too late to donate, just click here.

COVERAGE & UPDATE

A weekend of league football has now finished and we can now look forward to another round of the 2009/10 FA Cup.

The runcorn2wembley bandwagon faces a trip to Yorkshire on the back of further coverage in the north west media.

Focus this time was on my brother in his local weekly paper, the Southport Visitor. Click here to see the coverage.

Coverage is also expected in the Southport Champion on Wednesday, so look out for it!

In a surprise move my local MP for Weaver Vale, Mike Hall sent me a letter of support for the campaign, something I hope helps to raise the profile of runcorn2wembley and Cancer Research UK.

Thank you to Mike for his support, I hope you can make it to one of the games.
The total money raised has now reached nearly £650 with new offline donations, which I'll adding to the total this week.

A big thank you to everyone at my brother Rob's work (Southport Insurance Brokers) for donations and supporting him with this campaign.

I've just received confirmation that the next game at Guiseley AFC will kick off on Saturday 26th September at 3pm at Nethermoor Park. Click here for directions.

With opponents Bamber Bridge FC having scored 10 goals in the two previous rounds I'm sure it'll be a great game and advert for lower league football.

Guiseley, like Bamber Bridge, Runcorn Linnets and Maine Road have been brilliant in accepting the campaign to their ground and I look forward to meeting everyone.

Look forward to seeing you all there!

BAMBER 'BRIDGE' TO ANOTHER ROUND

Another round in the 2009/10 FA Cup fundraising campaign and another fantastic game of football.

Maine Road hosted Bamber Bridge in the First Qualifying Round of the FA Cup.

The game was the third in the Runcorn2Wembley campaign raising money for Cancer Research UK.

Yet again the home side (Maine Road) welcomed me, my brother Robert and friend Andy James with open arms, allowing us full access to everywhere and everyone.

It was also good to see and be remembered by fans and officials of Bamber Bridge, after watching their previous round win against the original team I followed, Runcorn Linnets.

Back to the game and after an even first half Bamber Bridge took control in the second, securing a 4-1 win, against a spirited Maine Road. Had Maine Road scored from the first half's best chance, the result could have been different.

The draw took place today and Bamber Bridge (and the fundraising campaign) will now travel across the Pennines to Guiseley FC.

I'm looking forward to the game and it'll soon be upon us; the rounds are just two weeks apart at the moment.

I'd like to say a big thank you to everyone who donated at Maine Road, with a total of £102 collected from fans, players and backroom staff. The total raised is now getting towards £600.

A big thank you to everyone associated with Runcorn Linnets for their continued support despite the Linnets' exit form the competition.

Coverage of the last few weeks will be posted in another blog, but include Liverpool Echo, Chester Chronicle and Channel M (Manchester).

Thank you to everyone who has publicised this campaign, everyone who has donated and everyone who will donate in future.

Finally thanks to my brother Rob, and friends Lawrence and Andy for their help so far.

See you at Guiseley on 26th September.

NEXT STOP - MAINE ROAD

So the next round of the FA Cup 2009/10 is upon us and the Runcorn2Wembley fundraising campaign takes to the road again, raising money for Cancer Research UK.

This time we're off to Manchester and the home of Maine Road FC to watch them take on last round's victors, Bamber Bridge.

Maine Road are in the same division as the team I started with, Runcorn Linnets, so they'll be in with a tough task today.

I'll be joined by my brother, Robert and neighbour Andy for today's game and hope the sunny weather attracts many fans to what promises to be a great game of football.

The fund total is now nearing £500 and I'm hoping people continue to donate generously to help reach the target.

Look forward to seeing everyone today.

BLAST FROM THE PAST

As promised last week I've now scanned the Runcorn programme from 1961 featuring my dad, which has tied quite nicely in to the Runcorn2Wembley fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK.

My dad played for a number of north west sides including Marine, Burscough and Runcorn.
I'm sure he'd love the irony of me starting my campaign with Runcorn this year, something I know is fitting.

A huge thank you to Runcorn Linnets chairman, Derek Greenwood for sourcing the programme and opening up a window in my dad's football career years before I and my brother Robert were born.

I'd welcome any comments from people who either played with my dad or watched him play.

He was still playing regularly until his early 40s, and showed Rob and I the proper way to play the game.

I hope to see many old and new faces at Maine Road FC on Saturday for the FA Cup First Qualifying Round against Bamber Bridge.

Mathc preview to follow later this week.

MORE COVERAGE

So as the donations for the FA Cup fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK tops £400 the media coverage continues to come flow.

National coverage has so far been limited to the Daily Sport, but I hope this will change as the campaign gains momentum.

The latest piece came in the Runcorn Herald & Post, which I thank Bucko for bringing with him to the game on Saturday.

Don't forget to tune in to the afternoon sports show on Halton Community Radio on Sunday 13th September when I'll be giving the latest on the campaign and where the journey will take me next.

The next game is at Maine Road as they take on Runcorn Linnets' conquerors Bamber Bridge.

I'm still waiting to hear back from Maine Road to confirm my attendance but hope to do so soon.

ROUND TWO - BAMBER BRIDGE V RUNCORN LINNETS

So the unofficial second round of the FA Cup 2009/10 took place over the weekend of 28-30th August with 334 teams battling for a place in the First Qualifying Round.

My fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK took me north to the Irongate stadium, home of Bamber Bridge FC.

Having met so many people at the previous game at Runcorn Linnets, it was pleasing to see many of the same faces again; and also hear the non-stop chanting and amusing songs.

I was joined for this game by my brother, Robert, and friend Lawrence, both of whom helped massively with the matchday collection. Lawrence has set up a facebook group to keep everyone up-to-date on that site, thank you for doing that.

Thank you also to everyone at Bamber Bridge FC for their hospitality and donations, it was very much appreciated.

The weather was better than forecast, though still disappointing for August. The sun did shine on the game with the only rain being the shots on Runcorn Linnets' goal.

Two hat-tricks from Ryan Zico-Black and Phil Eastwood led Bamber Bridge to a flattering but deserved 6-0 victory over the Linnets.

I was disappointed not to see Runcorn Linnets go through, due to the kind and generous nature of the club and all its supporters. A big thank you to everyone, I wish you the best of luck for the rest of the season in the Vodkat League and hope to see you at future games this season.

I special mention to chairman Derek Greenwood, who managed to find a programme from 1961, which included a mention of my dad, who played for Runcorn while on loan from Marine. It's amazing how 48 years later I've linked up with an old club of my dad's; Derek, I can't thank you enough for finding the programme.

So on to the next round and after a 2-1 win over Vodkat League rivals Ramsbottom United, it'll be Maine Road who entertain Bamber Bridge in the First Qualifying Round on the weekend of 11-13th September. I'll confirm the date and ko time once confirmed.

I'm looking forward to meeting new people at Maine Road and also hope to see friends from Bamber Bridge there too.

Yesterday raised a total of £121.42 taking the total to almost £400 of the target of £5,000.

As usual you can donate at www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles or join the facebook group at

www.facebook.com/home.php?#/group.php?gid=264962860242&ref=nf

Look forward to seeing you all at Maine Road.

FA CUP 'SECOND' ROUND PREVIEW

So the unofficial 'second' round of the 2009/10 FA Cup is upon us, just two weeks after the 'first' round.

Of course the round is actually called the Preliminary Round, but to those clubs, including the team I'm following Runcorn Linnets, this is the second round of the competition.

Already 203 teams have tasted defeat in the FA Cup, with a further 167 destined to fall at the Preliminary Round over the weekend.

Of course the Linnets will be hoping they can make it through to the next round and a trip to either Maine Road or Ramsbottom United, but standing in their way is tough opposition in the form of Bamber Bridge.

I'll be arriving at Irongate on Saturday at about 1.30pm with my brother Robert and friend Lawrence, to size up the atmosphere and hopefully collect as much money as possible on the way.

A big thank you to those who have already donated and a thank to those who are destined to donate as the campaign trundles on.

As always the money raised is going to a brilliant cause in Cancer Research UK, a charity close to my and many people's hearts.

Look forward to seeing you all tomorrow and hopefully the weather can football can be as good as the last round.

ALL GO FOR BAMBER BRIDGE

Many thanks to Danny at Bamber Bridge FC for approving my attendance and collections for Cancer Research UK this Saturday at the FA Cup Preliminary Round between Bamber Bridge and Runcorn Linnets.

Kick-off is at 3pm and it would be great to many of the people I met at Runcorn and also meet new friends at Bamber Bridge.

For directions click here.

With interest about this campaign continuing to gather pace I'm hoping the publicity will help life the money raised for Cancer Research UK.

Thank you to all those who've donated so far and to anyone intending to donate further in to the campaign.

I'm hoping to have two people helping me collect on Saturday, including my brother Robert, who helped come up with this idea of raising money.

If you can't make it on Saturday and would still like to donate please go to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

Finally the next round will take the Runcorn2Wembley fundraising bandwagon to either Maine Road FC or Ramsbottom United FC, who play on Saturday.

If anyone from either of those clubs reads this could you contact me so I can arrange mt attendance at the game.

A SATURDAY OFF

As more coverage and another invitation to a radio show come in, I'm looking forward to recovering after a hectic week. I'll just stick to going mountain biking in north Wales with my neighbours Jonny and Neil.

The Chester Chronicle have featured the campaign after Saturday's game at Runcorn Linnets and Halton Community Radio's Michael Scowcroft has invited me to be a guest on the Sunday Sports Show on 30th August.

Unfortunately I've had to decline the offer as I'm already committed to a rowing regatta in Ross-on-Wye to support my partner Sarah. I hope the chance to be a guest on a future show will happen.

A big thank you to everyone who has followed the blog and more importantly those who've donated to the campaign.

Thank you also to my friends and family who have supported me so far and also offered help for future games to collect from the ever growing crowds expected at games.

Cancer Research UK are kindly sending me more t-shirts, buckets and information materials to help with the collections.

I've also had help from my colleagues at work. So a big thank you to everyone at Connect PR and Connect Group.

As I always say donations are welcome at www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

Good luck to Runcorn Linnets this weekend in their game at Nelson and also Everton as they face a tricky trip to nearby Turf Moor.

MEDIA COVERAGE

The excellent start to the FA Cup fundraising campaign for Cancer Research UK is now starting to attract good levels of media coverage throughout the north west.

The current levels culminated in a ten minute interview on the 'Football Show' on BBC Radio Merseyside last night. Thank you to Alan Jackson for the opportunity to publicise this campaign.

Coverage has also appeared in the Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Daily Post and Daily Sport (with only one pair of boobs on!).
Online coverage is on the websites of Liverpool Echo, Liverpool Daily Post and Runcorn Linnets FC (see below for links)

While coverage publicising the event is great, it's nothing without helping to increase the amount of money donated for Cancer Research UK.

Luckily the online total has already trebled since yesterday and I'm hoping it'll increase further as more people take interest my journey. Here it is for anyone wanting to contribute further to the total www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles

I also hope the coverage highlights the excellent football that is played at the lower levels of the game and entices people to go and watch their local club - you might be surprised by how entertaining the experience is!

I'm in contact with Bamber Bridge FC for help when the campaign reaches their Irongate Ground on Saturday 29th August.

I'll publish more details of the match between Bamber Bridge and Runcorn Linnets when I have them.

Online coverage is listed below:

www.liverpooldailypost.co.uk/liverpool-news/regional-news/2009/08/17/long-road-to-wembley-for-cheshire-football-fanatic-92534-24455645/

www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/liverpool-news/local-news/2009/08/17/football-fanatic-launches-fund-raising-mission-to-wembley-by-watching-runcorn-linnets-win-100252-24455041/

www.runcornlinnetsfc.co.uk/news.asp?item=18082009162000

WHAT A GREAT KICK OFF TO THE CAMPAIGN

Well my 'rocky road' to Wembley kicked off in style last weekend as I started the mammoth charity campaign to follow the FA Cup from the very first round right through to the final.

It started at Wincham Park, Northwich to watch my local side Runcorn Linnets face AFC Emley in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup.

I was joined by Lawrence Whiston and 196 supporters to watch a superb advert for the game of grass-roots football.

The Linnets triumphed 4-1 with both sides contributing greatly to a thoroughly absorbing FA Cup tie, with a number of excellent goals. For a match report click here.

I raised nearly £90 on the day for Cancer Research UK with further contributions promised as the campaign continues.

The journey now takes me north to Bamber Bridge near Preston for the Preliminary Round.

I can’t thank the people associated with Runcorn Linnets enough for their help with the start of this fundraising effort, in particular chairman Derek Greenwood, Steve Pritchard and Mark Buckley.

They, Linnets supporters and people associated with AFC Emley donated generously and helped make it a dream kick off.

I look forward to seeing them again at Bamber Bridge and making new friends along the way.

To donate simply go along to watch Runcorn Linnets play at Bamber Bridge on Saturday 29^th August or go online to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

I'll also be tweeting my updates through twitter at http://twitter.com/richthemaster

ONE MORE DAY TO GO

The summer weather may have been and gone in one weekend in June, but football is now back up and running.

All leagues but the Premiership started last weekend and now this weekend a double-header of Premiership and FA Cup action is getting football fans across the country excited.

While Premiership and Championship teams won't be thinking about the FA Cup until January next year, hundreds of smaller clubs are just 24 hours away from their first taste of FA Cup football this season.

I'll be at Wincham Park, Northwich for the Extra Preliminary round cheering on Runcorn Linnets as they face AFC Emley for the right to play Bamber Bridge away on the next round.

I'm hoping to build up a following along the way and anyone interested in joining me for one or more games can either twitter me (richthemaster) or comment on my blog.

To donate either see me at the game(s) or go online to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles

Up the Linnets!

FA Cup week

So it's finally arrived and this week sees the first round of the FA Cup 2009/10.


I'm looking forward to an exciting game as Runcorn Linnets play AFC Emley in the Extra Preliminary Round of the FA Cup at Wincham Park, Northwich.

I'm ready and waiting for the kick-off at 3pm and hoping for a home victory to give the Linnets a boost for the new season.

While Wembley may seem a log way off, over nine months in fact, it's a good chance for the players of both Runcorn and Emley to make a showcase for themselves and their club in the world's best cup competition.

I'll be arriving early for the game and hoping everyone can dig deep into their pockets and help me reach my total for Cancer Research UK.

To donate either meet me at Wincham Park, Northwich on Saturday or go to www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles.com

Kit fitting

OK, so the kit from Cancer Research UK has come through and I've been trying everything on for size.

I've also been putting together the stickers, bucket and the other paraphernalia ready for the big kick-off.

Pictures of me will be done over the weekend and put on with my next post.

It's hard to believe we're in the middle of the summer with all this dismal weather about, but the Golf Open, Ashes series and rife football transfer speculation, it most defineitlye is!

Three weeks until the Football League season starts and four weeks until the Premiership and FA Cup.

Why not avoid the expensive Premiership ground and come along to see the non-league teams battle it out in the FA Cup; in fact come along to watch Runcorn Linnets play AFC Emley and help out with my collection at the same time.

For ease of use just click here to donate www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles

Game on

The positive news continues for this fundraising campaign as the Board of Runcorn Linnets FC has approved my collecting in the ground, before, during and after the FA Cup Extra Preliminary Round game against AFC Emley.

The game is planned for Saturday August 15th at 3pm although this is subject to confirmation. I'll confirm kick-off time on this blog, on my twitter (richthemaster) and it'll also be on the Linnets' website - click here

I'm picking up my fundraising kit from Cancer Research UK next week and will upload pictures to this blog once I have it.

I'm aiming to raise £5,000 from this campaign but will not limit it to that. To donate please go to here

Everything is now in place for the start of this campaign, just waiting for August 15th and we'll be away.

Keep tuned for more this week.

The game

OK, I've picked the game to start my 10-month FA Cup fundraising campaign.

As luck would have it the team is the nearest team to my home in Frodsham.

I'll be following Runcorn Linnets FC as they take on AFC Emley on Sat 15 Aug at Wincham Park in the Extra Preliminary Round. Kick of is 3:00pm

For directions please click here

I'm now in contact with the charity (Cancer Research UK) about obtaining the correct equipment so I look like I'm officially collecting money. T-shirt and bucket arriving in the post next week.

The local council need to confirm if I need a licence to collect money outside the ground and I'm waiting for a reply to my request from Runcorn Linnets FC.

All donations welcome at www.justgiving.com/richard-knowles