With the FA Cup semi final between Aston Villa and Chelsea just over two weeks away, it's a disappointed editor that writes this update on Runcorn2wembley.
Aston Villa are the team the campaign is following to Wembley after the 4-2 win at Reading in the quarter final.
I've had a couple of weeks break from the campaign as my partner Sarah and I have been having scans on our first baby. Sometimes your priorities can change a little, but I'm back on the case for Runcorn2wembley and battling for coverage and donations to reach the £5,000 target.
Despite communication with Aston Villa the club has declined requests for any help with informing Villa fans about the campaign.
The club supports The Acorns Children's Hospice and has refused to help Runcorn2wembley in any way.
The Acorns Children's Hospice is a fantastic organisation and I don't want Runcorn2wembley to distract from that at all. Therefore I understand why Aston Villa wouldn't want to give lots of backing to the campaign, but to offer nothing is very disappointing.
I've had more contact with The FA and hope to have a little more help from them for the semi-final.
On a final note I'll be missing the spring Frodsham Beer Festival to be at Wembley for the semi final so hope Runcorn2wembley will collect a big amount as we look go from the current total of £4,195.81 to the target of £5,000.
Thursday, 25 March 2010
Saturday, 6 March 2010
After 11 rounds of the 2009/10 FA Cup, Runcorn2wembley takes to the round again this weekend for the quarter finals.
So far we've raised £4,118.31 for Cancer Research, just over £800 short of the £5,000 target.
The campaign will again be watching a Reading home game, this time against Aston Villa, which could be the Berkshire club's toughest game so far.
This will be the fourth Reading game we've followed after the match against Burnley and two versus West Brom.
A fantastic performance at The Hawthorns in the fifth round replay has given Reading a superb chance to reach Wembley.
Unfortunately Runcorn2wembley won't be collecting any money before the game on Sunday as the club has refused permission to do so.
To make matters worse Runcorn2wembley is having to pay for tickets AND membership to be able to watch the game. The club has put something in the matchday programme, but this happened in the first match we watched Reading and resulted in no donations.
Indeed when we were allowed to collect at the Reading v West Brom game we raised almost £900.
It's disappointing and frustrating the club has taken this stance and we can only hope football fans can go online to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles and donate.
I will be joined by only one other member of Runcorn2wembley at Reading v Aston Villa, because there's no collection, tickets prices, travel costs and the 400 mile (8 hour) round trip.
But we'll be there and after this game only two trips to Wembley remain, providing there's no replay!
See you tomorrow!
So far we've raised £4,118.31 for Cancer Research, just over £800 short of the £5,000 target.
The campaign will again be watching a Reading home game, this time against Aston Villa, which could be the Berkshire club's toughest game so far.
This will be the fourth Reading game we've followed after the match against Burnley and two versus West Brom.
A fantastic performance at The Hawthorns in the fifth round replay has given Reading a superb chance to reach Wembley.
Unfortunately Runcorn2wembley won't be collecting any money before the game on Sunday as the club has refused permission to do so.
To make matters worse Runcorn2wembley is having to pay for tickets AND membership to be able to watch the game. The club has put something in the matchday programme, but this happened in the first match we watched Reading and resulted in no donations.
Indeed when we were allowed to collect at the Reading v West Brom game we raised almost £900.
It's disappointing and frustrating the club has taken this stance and we can only hope football fans can go online to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles and donate.
I will be joined by only one other member of Runcorn2wembley at Reading v Aston Villa, because there's no collection, tickets prices, travel costs and the 400 mile (8 hour) round trip.
But we'll be there and after this game only two trips to Wembley remain, providing there's no replay!
See you tomorrow!
Tuesday, 2 March 2010
SIXTH ROUND PROSPECTS
With just two rounds of the 2009/10 FA Cup to go before the final at Wembley, Runcorn2wembley is facing the possibility of having no pre-match collections for the rest of the campaign.
Reading has denied us permission to collect before the game against Aston Villa, as the club limits collections from a charity to one per season. The club has also refused to allow any tickets to be set aside for Runcorn2wembley, even if the volunteers pay for them.
This means we'll be lucky to get any tickets for the game, which would mean the campaign misses out on its first game in this season's FA Cup.
Having been to the previous 11 rounds of the competition, this would be very disappointing.
The only hope we have now collect another £800 to hit the £5,000 target for Cancer Research, is for fans to donate online - www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles
More updates later this week as they come in.
Reading has denied us permission to collect before the game against Aston Villa, as the club limits collections from a charity to one per season. The club has also refused to allow any tickets to be set aside for Runcorn2wembley, even if the volunteers pay for them.
This means we'll be lucky to get any tickets for the game, which would mean the campaign misses out on its first game in this season's FA Cup.
Having been to the previous 11 rounds of the competition, this would be very disappointing.
The only hope we have now collect another £800 to hit the £5,000 target for Cancer Research, is for fans to donate online - www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles
More updates later this week as they come in.
Friday, 26 February 2010
REPLAY PROVIDES EXTRA EXCITEMENT
A cracking FA Cup replay at The Hawthorns on Wednesday night overshadowed the darker side to the night.
The extra-time 3-2 victory for Reading was fully deserved as they showed much more incisive football in the penalty area than West Brom.
The negative side was not being able to collect for Runcorn2wembley which meant only £35 was raised for Cancer Research through the donation of tickets from West Brom to me and Chris Horner.
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I can't understand why West Brom didn't allow a collection, but the campaign was grateful for the tickets.
West Brom scored very early (not as early as the first game's nine seconds) before Reading made it 1-1 after just nine minutes.
A howler by the Reading keeper gave West Brom a 2-1 lead early in the second half before a great goal in the third of four added minutes sent the tie into extra time. 
Reading's winner was excellent and they could and should have had more. The fans singing at the end while the team threw their tops over the sea of stewards was a memorable scene.
So Runcorn2wembley now goes to Reading for the third time as the sixth round draw pits them against Aston Villa.
I'm talking to Reading about a collection and hope we can have one. With just over £800 left to reach the £5,000 target, a collection will probably take us over the target.
With the semi-finals at Wembley, permission to collect around the ground before the game is proving difficult, which is why I hope Reading allow the collection.
I'm also hoping Reading 107fm will feature the campaign again, as this resulted in many people donating.
Updates will appear on here. Don't forget the match is in just nine days on Sunday 7th March at 1.45pm.
The extra-time 3-2 victory for Reading was fully deserved as they showed much more incisive football in the penalty area than West Brom.
The negative side was not being able to collect for Runcorn2wembley which meant only £35 was raised for Cancer Research through the donation of tickets from West Brom to me and Chris Horner.I can't understand why West Brom didn't allow a collection, but the campaign was grateful for the tickets.West Brom scored very early (not as early as the first game's nine seconds) before Reading made it 1-1 after just nine minutes.
A howler by the Reading keeper gave West Brom a 2-1 lead early in the second half before a great goal in the third of four added minutes sent the tie into extra time.
Reading's winner was excellent and they could and should have had more. The fans singing at the end while the team threw their tops over the sea of stewards was a memorable scene.So Runcorn2wembley now goes to Reading for the third time as the sixth round draw pits them against Aston Villa.
I'm talking to Reading about a collection and hope we can have one. With just over £800 left to reach the £5,000 target, a collection will probably take us over the target.
With the semi-finals at Wembley, permission to collect around the ground before the game is proving difficult, which is why I hope Reading allow the collection.
I'm also hoping Reading 107fm will feature the campaign again, as this resulted in many people donating.
Updates will appear on here. Don't forget the match is in just nine days on Sunday 7th March at 1.45pm.
Tuesday, 23 February 2010
MIXED REPLAY NEWS
Just over 24 hours until the FA Cup fifth round replay between West Bromwich Albion and Reading.
Runcorn2wembley is unable to collect for Cancer Research before the game but will be attending thanks to the donation of five tickets by West Brom.
It's a huge blow to our collection target of £5,000 just ten days after collecting a record total for the campaign before the game at Reading. Almost £900 was donated by fans of both clubs taking the current total to £4,153.31.
If West Brom win and play Aston Villa in the quarter finals, a collection won't be allowed due to the proximity of the clubs. So everyone associated with Runcorn2wembley is hoping for either Crystal Palace or Reading to win.
If you would like to donate please go to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles
+Richard+Knowles,+John+Horn,+Robert+Knowles,+Neil+Goodwin+and+Chris+Horner+at+Reading+v+West+Brom.JPG)
The attending members of Runcorn2wembley will be highly visible in blue or white t-shirts at The Hawthorns tomorrow night.
See you there.
Runcorn2wembley is unable to collect for Cancer Research before the game but will be attending thanks to the donation of five tickets by West Brom.
It's a huge blow to our collection target of £5,000 just ten days after collecting a record total for the campaign before the game at Reading. Almost £900 was donated by fans of both clubs taking the current total to £4,153.31.
If West Brom win and play Aston Villa in the quarter finals, a collection won't be allowed due to the proximity of the clubs. So everyone associated with Runcorn2wembley is hoping for either Crystal Palace or Reading to win.
If you would like to donate please go to www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles
The attending members of Runcorn2wembley will be highly visible in blue or white t-shirts at The Hawthorns tomorrow night.See you there.
Saturday, 20 February 2010
REPLAY OR NOT TO REPLAY
Back to the league action this weekend, but the next FA Cup adventure for Runcorn2wembley is just a few days away.
On Wednesday 24th Feb we travel to The Hawthorns for the replay between Reading and West Bromwich Albion.
After the record breaking collection before the thrilling 2-2 draw at Reading last weekend, Runcorn2wembley is waiting for confirmation on whether we can collect on Wednesday.
I'm hopeful the discussions with West Brom will end in a positive outcome, but the main thing is we are able to collect at the quarter final game, as the winner will be at home.
Further donations have come on the website www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles and the target is getting closer and closer.
Thank you to everyone who has donated and I look forward to seeing the fans on Wednesday.
Runcorn2wembley will be in attendance at The Hawthorns although the numbers of people from the campaign is yet to be confirmed.
More updates on Monday.
On Wednesday 24th Feb we travel to The Hawthorns for the replay between Reading and West Bromwich Albion.
After the record breaking collection before the thrilling 2-2 draw at Reading last weekend, Runcorn2wembley is waiting for confirmation on whether we can collect on Wednesday.
I'm hopeful the discussions with West Brom will end in a positive outcome, but the main thing is we are able to collect at the quarter final game, as the winner will be at home.
Further donations have come on the website www.justgiving.co.uk/richard-knowles and the target is getting closer and closer.
Thank you to everyone who has donated and I look forward to seeing the fans on Wednesday.
Runcorn2wembley will be in attendance at The Hawthorns although the numbers of people from the campaign is yet to be confirmed.
More updates on Monday.
Tuesday, 16 February 2010
REPLAY UPDATE
The FA Cup fifth round replay between Reading and West Brom is a week tomorrow and at the moment Runcorn2wembley has been refused permission to collect at The Hawthorns.
This is obviously disappointing but we're not giving up just yet, particularly as the quarter finals will see the winners of the replay at home again. This could result in another refusal to collect.
This is obviously disappointing but we're not giving up just yet, particularly as the quarter finals will see the winners of the replay at home again. This could result in another refusal to collect.
The total for the collection is now 83% of the target of £5,000. Currently the total is £4,143.31.I'm still in communication with West Brom and hope to be able to have a compromise sorted this week.
With only three rounds left, including the final, it's vital Runcorn2wembley is allowed to collect before the last few games to hit the target.
More updates throughout the week.
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