Lionhearts Team captain and event organiser Jon Arnold on the ball. (0753210)
A GUERNSEYMAN has broken the world record for the longest game of five-a-side football ever played.
Former Hautes Capelles schoolboy footballer Jon Arnold took on the challenge to raise money for the children’s heart ward that saved his baby daughter Zoe and he has already ended up raising twice what he set out to.
‘I only made the Hautes Capelles B team for a five-a-side competition at Beau Sejour when I was at primary school, but now I’m a world record holder perhaps they will see the error of their ways,’ he joked.
The 31-year-old and 15 of his friends played for 25 hours, the equivalent of more than 10 full-length football matches in a row, with five people playing and three substitutes at a time.
This beat the previous record of 24 hours and 30 minutes and each player was on the pitch for a minimum of 15 hours and 30 minutes.
‘We are all exhausted, but delighted,’ said Mr Arnold, who now lives with his family in Methley, Yorkshire.
‘We’ve all got blisters, aching limbs and massive smiles.’
The final score was an impressive 502-323, with the Lionhearts beating the Bravehearts, and the top goal scorer put 168 in the back of the net.
‘It was really tough overnight but as the record got closer and we realised we were going to do it, we all knuckled down and got on with it,’ said Mr Arnold, whose mother, Joan, lives in Guernsey and works at St James.
‘All the spectators kept us going for the last few hours and their support put a bit of extra energy in our legs and helped us pick up the pace again.’
‘It was an amazing feeling when we beat the record – a mixture of relief and joy.’
The initial target was to raise £4,000 to help buy a baby transfer pod for the Children’s Heart Surgery Fund at the Leeds General Infirmary, where doctors performed life saving operations on Zoe when she was only three weeks old.
The £10,500 collected so far will therefore achieve more than anyone had anticipated, as Zoe’s mother, Andrea, explained.
‘Thanks to all of the lads, we have raised a huge sum of money that will go towards the baby pod that will help save lives, and the playroom that improves the quality of life the kids lead while staying on the ward.
‘They were brilliant, we couldn’t have asked for a more committed and determined squad,’ said Mrs Arnold.
‘So many people have supported us by donating, volunteering and coming along to cheer us on.’
In order for the record to be recognised by Guinness the official information, collected by witnesses on the scene, has to be sent off and checked over.
Zoe, now two years old, has Downs syndrome and was born with a hole between the chambers of her heart.
She is now an energetic toddler, according to her parents and did her bit in supporting her dad during the game.
Article posted on 13th April, 2009 - 2.29pm
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what was the score?
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