West Ham United supporting brothers Paul and Ian Turner are planning to once again walk to Fulham next season in aid of the Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research UK.
The duo did the 13-mile trek before last season's fixture at Craven Cottage and have earmarked a repeat performance this season but this time by walking the 13 miles back as well rather than getting the Tube home. The news comes as the club prepare to stage the Bobby Moore Cup this Saturday against SSC Napoli. Click here for more information.
Paul and Ian will have plenty of time to prepare as the Fulham fixture is the final awayday for Gianfranco Zola's men in 2009/10 on Saturday 1 May. What makes the plan even more impressive though is that they are running the London Marathon the week before - also for the Bobby Moore Fund.
Also joining Paul and Ian on the Fulham walk will be their friends Matthew, Scott and Adam, with the original idea being one that had long been mooted - with ultimately the Bobby Moore Fund being the perfect choice to benefit given the England legend's links to both clubs. "The idea to walk to Craven Cottage from the Boleyn Ground was one me and Matthew had been kicking about for some time," said Paul taking up the story.
"We would be down the pub saying that if the game fell on a Saturday and was a 3pm kick off then we would do it. A season passed without us being able to attend the match so we were determined last July to go ahead and actually walk the 13 or so miles.
"My brother Ian and our friends Scott and Adam wanted to join in and so we set about organising the event. The overwhelming choice to help raise funds for was the Bobby Moore Fund, a charity all those who took part in the walk have raised funds for in the past."
So on 27 September 2008, the quintet arranged to start their walk pitchside at the Boleyn Ground and finished on the sidelines at Craven Cottage - with the BBC Match of the Day 2 cameras also getting involved.
"It was quite foggy at the start but this did not dampen spirits as we set off on our journey around the pitch, passing in front of the empty stands and our season ticket seats, fittingly in the Bobby Moore Lower," Paul added. "On the road itself the air was crisp and we got support from people driving by honking their horns or shouting a few words of encouragement or banter.
"Kevin Day, Louise Lawler and the rest of the BBC filming crew were very friendly and supportive throughout our efforts and I have to thank them for taking the time to help out our cause and highlight. When we made it to Craven Cottage we were presented with a signed Fulham shirt and were greeted warmly.
"All that walking made for sore feet but due to the volume of fans and our tickets being towards the back of the Putney End, we were forced to stand all match long! The pain was bearable as we won 2-1 and the joy left many singing and indeed conga lining down Stevenage Road towards the Tube. A great day out was had by all. West Ham won and money was raised for a worthy cause, what more could you ask for?"
Photo caption: (from left to right) Scott, Matthew, Adam, Ian and Paul