Bob Hayward & Nick Baldock have now run 17 consecutive marathons out of the 34 it will take to get to John O’Groats from Land’s End and in doing so have covered over 400 miles. This is all in aid of Podge the 13 year old boy who was so badly burnt in an attack last May.

Today following their run they drove back to Liverpool. Brian Hall, a great midfield player in his time — now Marketing Director at Liverpool FC wanted to present them with an autographed first team shirt to help the “Give the lad a chance appeal.”

Driving into Liverpool with a Beatles compilation blaring out of our cd player they felt great excitement. Surprising when none of them support Liverpool personally, but just the name Liverpool triggers a stream of memories, great players, great team triumphs in the English league and in Europe. History — the stuff of legends — and they are going to share in it.

The stadium is awesome from the outside in it’s size and quality, it stands proud and prominent from the surrounding “Coronation Street” look–a–like terraces. Even as they drove into the Shankly gates there were little boys playing football in the streets outside dressed in the red of their heroes.

Brian Hall, was a true gentleman, he gave freely of his time and showed them around the spiritual home for so many fans, the lovingly prepared grass pitch, the kop, the changing rooms with the now disused “team baths”, the famous plaque every Liverpool player touches for good luck on their way out on to the pitch, the museum detailing the full richness of Liverpool’s history — including the three trophies they collected from last seasons endeavours. Don’t tell anyone but they actually got to touch those trophies! So much energy, sweat and pain would have been endured to win those trophies, so much joy has been returned to the fans and so much pride to the community.

As they stood and talked to Brian beside the manicured pitch they sensed that every seat in the stadium had a story to tell, some of heart ache, some of zest and joy, that heritage of emotion combined to create an atmosphere similar to that found in a church where years of worship, prayer and incense permeate each stone in the walls. They found the place inspiring and their time with Brian up lifting.

Oh well, back to running (again) tomorrow!