COUNTY NEWS: Charity match sets new world record

Sussex charity football squad Heartbeat United has managed to set a new world record for the longest continuous football match ever.
Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.
Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.

Organised by chairman of Worthing United FC Steve Taylor, the motivation behind the world record attempt is the loss of their three team members - Matt Chaplain, Matt Grimstone and Jacob Schilt.

Players Matt Grimstone and Jacob both lost their lives as a result of the Shoreham Airshow disaster last year, while Matt Chaplain, a former youth coach, tragically suffered a heart attack in 2013, leaving a family behind.

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The match, which took place at Lancing College, started at 6am last Thursday and was played continuously until Bank Holiday Monday, lasting a total of 108 hours, three above the previous record.

Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.
Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.

The final score came in at 1,009 goals for the winning side to approximately 874 goals.

Steve said: “Everyone turned up at 6am on Thursday morning. First day went quite well, and players got burned by the sun. That evening, we had thunderstorms but the players kept going. They got through it, and they were never going to be beat.

“I am not sure if they will do it again. It became a military operation, but it was a massive effort. To beat the record, we were well pleased. I am so proud of the players and the support, and they did it for the three lads.”

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The match consisted of two teams of 18 players from across the country playing on a rotational basis. All players, officials and witnesses were volunteering their time.

Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.
Lancing College world record attempt May 26-30. Photo by Eddie Mitchell.

All funds raised will be shared between the British Heart Foundation and a fund for a memorial dedicated to the three players.

Paul Manners from Britain’s Got Talent attended the event to provide entertainment, and was joined by local singer Ella Collins-Godden, who was performing and selling her charity single, a cover of Coldplay’s ‘Fix You’.

Readers can watch the record moment here.

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