A football fanatic is taking World Cup fever to new heights by setting himself an epic keepie-uppie challenge for East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH).
Determined Andy Cranch, from St Ives, has vowed to complete an energy-sapping 100,000 in 24 hours.
He plans to start at 5am on Thursday, 11th June – the first day of this summer’s World Cup in America, Canada and Mexico – and expects to average around 6,000 an hour, finishing in roughly 16 hours.
Andy is player-manager of the Over-60 England Veterans and was part of the England Seniors team that won the 2024 World Cup.
“It’s going to be tough, but I’m a great believer in pushing myself to the limit,” said the 61-year-old, who plans to complete his keepie-uppies under the bandstand by The Waits.
“There’s no point doing something like this if it’s not going to be a major challenge.
“I could have done less keepie-uppies and made it simpler, but that doesn’t feel the right thing to do. Instead, this is going to test me both physical and mentally.
“It’ll be the hardest thing I’ve ever done, and it’s going to take real determination, persistence and concentration, but I can be very stubborn and single-minded when I need to be. I’m determined to achieve my goal and can’t wait to get started.”
As well as coinciding with the World Cup, Andy’s challenge is taking place just before national Children’s Hospice Week.
Led across the UK by Together for Short Lives, the charity for children’s palliative care, it is the only week of the year dedicated to raising awareness of children’s hospice services. It starts on Monday, 15th June and runs until Sunday, 21st June.
“Keepie-uppies are one of those things I’ve always done, right from childhood when I used to spend hours juggling a football in the garden,” added Andy, who was on the books at Exeter City before drifting into non-league football and playing for Histon, Cambridge City, Shelford and Ely City.
“To this day, I still remember the first time I managed 100 – and then the first time I got to 1,000.
“I’ve done other challenges before, including a sponsored one at school when I managed 3,825.
“Then there was the time I walked and juggled the ball, completing 100 lengths of an empty swimming pool!
“What I’m about to do is taking things to a whole new level, though. It’s going to be gruelling and any support I get on the day – be it money in my collection bucket or words of encouragement – will spur me on no end.”
Andy memorably raised more than £3,500 for EACH in 2023 after completing 1,000 keepie-uppies at all 92 Football League clubs.
He clocked up 3,000 miles in the process, starting at Cambridge United’s Cledara Abbey Stadium and finishing at Portman Road, Ipswich.
His fortnight-long challenge saw him visit grounds including Norwich City, Colchester United and Peterborough United, as well as iconic Premier League stadiums like Old Trafford, Anfield, Villa Park, Stamford Bridge and The Etihad Stadium.
At every one he completed 1,000 keepie-uppies – a feat he completed in around 15 minutes – before jumping back in his car and continuing his whistle-stop UK tour.
Kind-hearted Andy also organised a star-studded football match featuring former Premier League heroes, raising more than £5,000 for EACH.
The contest was between a team of Tottenham Hotspur Legends and England’s Veterans and took place at St Ives Town last June.
To show your support and sponsor Andy, click here.
