Fan is happy to break pain barrier

6 Nov 2016 By David Watters

Chasetown fan and local student Nikki Jay isn't bothered by her blisters after taking to the streets of Lichfield to raise funds for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's crocked midfielder Josh Craddock.

Before fellow fans donated £300 to a bucket collection during Saturday's 5-2 win over Gresley FC in EVO-STIK NPL First Division South, the 18-year-old Scholars supporter ran her first ever 10K, raising £100 for Craddock who broke his leg in two places during last weekend's 1-0 win over Rugby Town.

The 25-year-old former Walsall, Halesowen Town, Hednesford Town, Stourbridge and Rushall Olympic player - who underwent a successful operation last week to pin the fractures to his fibia and tibia - is now looking forward to making a speedy recovery and thanking the university student personally for her efforts.

On Saturday night, he said: "One of the lads has just told me this [the run]. It's really nice to know that she would do this for me. I'll be coming down the club in two weeks and will be thanking her personally. I appreciate all the efforts that have been made with the ground collection. I'll be back in no time."

Student Jay is training to be a sports therapist and completed her run in a respectable 1 hour and 20 minutes. Laughing off her blisters and pictured alongside Scholars legend Andy Cox on Saturday, she said: "It was Thursday afternoon after uni and I planned a route and just ran it!"

Images courtesy of Chasetown/Pamela Mullins

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Where next?

Cobblers target for Glassboys! If Gary Hackett and his Stourbridge side can overcome Whitehawk in the Emirates FA Cup when they replay, they'll be flying the flag for the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League against Northampton Town in the second round after Monday night's televised draw.

Saturday's First North action review There is a five-way tie at the top of the EVO-STIK Northern Premier League's First Division North table after Saturday`s round of matches, writes Pitchero's Steve Whitney.