Business and print systems company Midshire has announced its headline sponsorship of a Guinness Record attempt on staging the world’s longest football match – and putting Stockport on the world map.
The Midshire F72 marathon match and the Guinness record attempt will take place this week, kicking off at 8pm on Thursday 2nd May and is spearheaded by the Stockport company’s top salesman – and football enthusiast – Nick Rose.
The charity match will raise funds for Francis House Children’s Hospice and is expected to last the equivalent of at least 48 ordinary games, back to back. The match will take place at Stretford High School with the final whistle being blown at 8pm on Sunday.
“I knew that I wanted the event to be football related, due to my passion for the sport. I’m also a fitness enthusiast, and so the ‘marathon’ element of the idea really appealed to me. It’s obviously going to be tough, but as they say: ‘no pain, no gain’,” said Nick.
The longest football match will involve 36 amateur players, all from Stockport and Manchester, all aiming to smash the current 64 hour record, held in Holland.
Co organiser Paul Logan, said:
“All standard match rules apply, meaning the players are not allowed to leave the pitch perimeter, and will only accumulate 5 minutes rest for every 1 hour played.”
Sponsorships begun with Midshire pledging £5,000, and include the world-wide photocopier and printing brand Ricoh which has pledged a ‘substantial’ donation.
“People and local businesses should get behind Midshire F72 because it is going to be a massive event of which Stockport can be proud. We are all hard working lads who want to make a difference to the lives of some of the children and families at the Francis House Children’s Hospice, and all funds raised will go to the hospice. But we are also trying to bring a world record to Stockport and there have got to be plenty of people out there who’d like to be a part of a bit of history in the making”.
Asked to predict the score Nick said:
“How do you predict a score for a 72 hour football match? However I think the winning team will probably need to score around 500 goals”
He added:
“We are delighted that Midshire Business
Systems has made a very substantial
donation, and agreed to be the named
sponsor of the event. I have worked for
Midshire for a long time, and the support of
Julian Stafford (Managing Director, pictured
left) has been a consistent theme
throughout.”
The final day, Sunday 5th May, will be a ticketed family fun day, with a live band and a fireworks display on the final whistle. All funds raised will go to Francis House, the Didsbury hospice for children with life-threatening or life-shortening illnesses. to find out more: www.midshiref72.co.uk
The event will be followed by a Gala Dinner on Friday 14th June at the National Football Museum in Manchester. All funds raised will go to Francis House.
Download more information here; commercial packages are available to local businesses of £1,000 + VAT for a table for 10. This package includes:
Drinks Reception
Table for 10 Guests
3 Course Meal
Video/Advert on Large Digital Screens
Full Page Advert in the Event Program
The night will be a bit different, as they have access to all of the exhibitions and the interactive features. There are guest speakers, entertainment and a great charity auction/raffle.
Contact Nick Rose at Midshires on 0161 494 3375 or email nick@midshirenorth.co.uk
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