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Leeds football team's 57 hour match
They ran almost 80 miles, drank 1,000 energy drinks and one player was rushed to hospital with a suspected broken foot.
But, finally, a team of Leeds students kicked their way into the record books by staging the world's longest football match.
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The 57-hour event – the equivalent of playing 38 games back to back – was held in memory of former Leeds University student Jamie Burdett who died of meningitis three years ago.
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After he died, his fellow students and friends pledged to raise funds in his name for the Meningitis Trust.
Organiser Simon Lynes said: "We're all absolutely exhausted. I think over the three days I got about three hours sleep."
But Simon fared somewhat better than his team-mate Nick Stratfull, 24, who had to go to hospital after taking a tumble and falling awkwardly.
However, X-rays showed his foot wasn't broken and with the help of some strong medication Nick played through the pain to complete the match.
The game was held at the weekend between the Leeds Badgers and the Warwick Wolves team from the University of Warwick.
So far, the players have raised 5,000 but they hope to take the total to 10,000.
It was the second time they have broken the record for the longest game of football.
They initially clinched the title by playing for 36 hours in Leeds last year. But their record was broken at an event in Qatar in May, setting the new bar at 42 hours.
To go even further, the Leeds students set themselves a target of 57 hours. With two squads of 18 players, it meant each of them had to play for around 29 hours.
During the match players were allowed only a five minute break each hour, had to play in each of the eleven positions, and were not allowed to leave the pitch side for the entire duration –aside from the hospital visit!
Simon added: "We were determined to shatter the current record and to restore some pride to English football by bringing the world record home."
The event was backed by former Leeds and Liverpool legend Ian Rush, who contracted meningitis aged five.
He spent four weeks in an oxygen tent and fortunately was left with no lasting effects.
Ian said: "What the two teams have done is a fantastic achievement for English football and also the Meningitis Trust.
"I am so proud of what they guys are doing, raising awareness of this
awful disease but also raising vital funds."
* To donate to the team's efforts visit: www.worldrecordfootball.co.uk
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Weather for Leeds
Friday 10 February 2012
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