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Belfast Live
Belfast Live
Sport
Gareth Fullerton

Portadown and Glenavon fans saddle up for 24-hour battle

Portadown and Glenavon fans will saddle up for a titanic 24-hour charity battle next month.

Supporters, officials, players and managers will take part in a special 'Spinathon' event being held at Shamrock Park.

The event will stretch over Friday and Saturday, September 30 to October 1, with all money raised going towards the ABC Autism Group which covers the Armagh City, Banbridge and Craigavon Borough Council area.

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It is the second Spinathon event to be held. Last season a similar event proved a big success in the run up to Portadown's game against Carrick Rangers.

On that occasion it was Ports fans, directors, players and coaches who went up against Autism Group committee members and supporters.

"The first event raised around £1700 which was brilliant, and everyone really enjoyed it," said Portadown fan Rodney Leiper who is helping organise this year's Spinathon.

"This time, things will be slightly different. We're getting the opposition involved, and not just anyone, but our neighbours and Mid-Ulster rivals, Glenavon.

"The two biggest football clubs in the ABC area, fans, club officials, players and coaches, will all go head-to-head on two spin bikes for 24 hours before the two clubs face each other on the Shamrock Park pitch.

"The main objective is to keep both bikes spinning for 24 hours, only stopping long enough for each person to end their stint and the next participant to get on and start spinning.

"We have already signed up various people to take part including Portadown directors Peter Hunniford and Davy Jameson Jr, former Ports player and Head of Youth Academy Gary McCullough and we're hoping we can get his brother Dean McCullough on Glenavon's bike for a family head to head.

"One or two other former players have also expressed an interest, so the more the merrier. One of the Ports media team will also be contacting former players to see if they can get some to take part."

Rodney added: "The Autism Group members will choose to spin on either Portadown or Glenavon's bikes. We'll be keeping record of the distance each individual puts up on the clock, for some competitiveness in each head-to-head.

"And also the total distance for each bike, to see which side comes out on top in the spin-off."

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