On April 26 2008, a group of Brentford supporters will once again don their walking boots and embark on a mammoth walk from Griffin Park to their last away game of the season, Stockport County.
Following on from the extremely successful Hartlepool and Brighton walks, which have raised over £20,000 for the Supporters’ Trust Bees United, another group of Bees supporters will attempt the 176 miles to Stockport.
The supporters, who will include several of the finishers from the Brighton trek, intend to make the journey over several days, leaving on the final whistle at Griffin Park and arriving in time for the game at Stockport on the following Saturday. With all the furore over the recently rejected proposal to play a 39th Premiership game abroad it is more important than ever that we highlight the fans and their importance to our wonderful game.
The walkers chose Stockport County as their destination precisely for this reason. Just like Brentford, Stockport is also owned by its supporters. Their Supporters’ Trust has had great success and their team is currently sitting in a play-off place. Add to that Brentford’s recent news regarding the Lionel Road project and the long awaited arrival of a roof on Ealing Road and you begin to see just how much difference the supporters can make when pulling together. Natasha Judge, Fundraising Director at Bees United, believes that the power and influence that supporters can have should be highlighted much more and hopes that this walk will not only raise funds, but also raise the profile of two of the English league’s more successful Supporters’ Trusts.
Dan Levy, a member of County's Trust board, says: "The long distance walking of Brentford's fans is inspiring, and helps to remind us all that football is about fans. County and Brentford have a lot in common – we are both fan-owned neighbourhood clubs close to large and impersonal premiership giants – and we look forward to welcoming the Bees in May"
The walkers will be raising money for Bees United and the Paul Levitt Foundation. Paul, who is a Physio at the Centre of Excellence at the Brentford Football Club Community Sports Trust, was diagnosed with a brain tumour in his thirties and a proportion of the money raised will be donated to his charity, which supports Cancer Research organisations throughout the country.
“Together fans can make a real difference to the way football as an industry treats its customers” says Natasha, “It’s vital that Brentford supporters all pull in the same direction, that way the club will ultimately go on to be a success”.
The route will be published later next week and the group would welcome any exiled (or otherwise) supporters to join them for a days’ walking. In the meantime, if anyone can help with donations of their time or products and services please contact Natasha at natasha.judge@beesunited.org.uk
If you would like to show your support for the walkers, you can sponsor them online at www.justgiving.com/natashajudge , or by sending a cheque/postal order to:
Natasha Judge, c/o Bees United, Griffin Park, Brentford, London TW8 0NT.