Coach Joe walking 30 miles overnight to help his team

RAISING FUNDS FOR YOUNG FOOTBALLERS' CELEBRATION

- BY MARK PAGE

Joe Huyton, with his son Oliver

A GRASSROOTS football coach is preparing to undertake a 30-mile overnight trek to ensure his young squad can mark a memorable season.

Joe Huyton, 34, will depart from his Filey home in the early hours of May 2 and make his way to Longcroft School in Beverley - the base of Tickton Dynamos FC - arriving in time to lead his Under-7s' 10am training session.

The challenge will see Joe leave at approximately 1am, walking for nine hours through darkness and into dawn before exchanging his walking boots for a whistle.

"I'm basically going to walk the same route I drive to training," said Joe, who works as a courier delivering parcels around the Pocklington area. "Across the Wold tops towards Driffield and then down into Beverley.

"It'll still be dark when I set off. It should start getting light about four or five in the morning - but I'm hoping to get there for ten and take training as normal."

While the distance might intimidate some, Joe is accustomed to lengthy days on his feet. He clocks up around 15,000 steps daily in his role, frequently making between 100 and 120 deliveries.