FOOTBALLERS went deep into extra-time – when they played a 12-hour marathon match in aid of charity.

A magnificent seven players stayed on the pitch right until the final whistle at Chepstow Garden City Junior FC’s first ever charity day.

And club members and supporters all got a kick out of supporting a good cause when they raised £3,800.

More than 200 children from Chepstow Garden City Junior FC’s 12 age groups took part in the 12-hour marathon match against a squad of 35 coaches, parents and volunteers.

The whopping sum raised on Saturday, April 27, will help support Beat, the country’s largest youth eating disorder charity. 

Each of the 12 age groups at the club played for an hour against the older team.

The day started in windy conditions at 8am against the U6 team, and concluded in evening sunshine against the club’s U16s.

All the club’s intervening age groups took part, including the successful girls section, and the seven members of the coaches’ team who managed to play the full 12 hours were nursing some very tired limbs towards the end of the day.

More than 200 parents and supporters visited the club’s base at Hardwick Avenue to cheer the players on.

The day was organised by the club’s committee to promote it’s close ties to the local community as part of the ‘More Than a Club’ initiative run by the Football Association of Wales Trust.

The project is aimed at bringing the club more vibrancy and visibility within the community, and to attract new players.

The charity day was the first of a number of new initiatives being undertaken by the club, with the Football Festival at Beachley Barracks also taking place last Saturday (May 11), when some 70 teams, and around 650 children from around East Gwent took to the field.

Anyone with a child aged between five and 16 who is interested in playing football, regardless of ability or gender, can visit Garden City’s website at www.gardencityjfc.com for contact details and more information.