Bury FC legend joins pals for coast to coast cycle challenge

The former Shakers centre forward was unable to join the ex-footballers, who all played for Clarence Athletic and Darwen FC in the early 1970s, as they set off on their walk along Hadrian’s Wall due to work commitments.

But the 62-year-old was determined to participate in some form or other.

So along with friend Matt Holt, of Ramsbottom, he decided to meet up with the group after cycling from Bury to Bowness on Solway on Saturday and then, on Sunday, on to Wallsend in Newcastle, before heading back to Bury - a total of 220 miles.

While the 11 walkers will not complete the 84 mile walk until later this week, Wayne and Matt, 52, have now made it back to Bury and have helped raise over £2,000 for the Motor Neurone Disease Association and Dementia UK.

“In my younger days it wouldn’t have been so bad but I’m not as fit now so it was a big ask,” said Matt

“It was a really fun two days but it has really taken it out of us.”

Wayne began his career with his hometown team in August 1976 and after making 31 league appearances, he was sold to Sunderland in November 1977 for £30,000.

He went on to make over 50 appearances in all competitions for the north-east club before joining Leeds United in October 1979.

He would later return to Gigg Lane for two spells during the 1980s and is the only person to have played for eight different FA Cup winning clubs.

“Wayne was one of my heroes when I was a kid and I used to watch him from the Manchester Road End,” said Matt, who played alongside him for Tottington United in the 1996/97 season

“Now I’ve played on the same team as him and been on this bike ride.

“He’s a mate but when I first met him I was thinking ‘blimey I used to pay money to watch you play’ and I remember watching him in the 70s with my grandad before he moved to Sunderland.

“He’s very self-deprecating and always puts himself down but he’s got a load to be proud of.”

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