A LORRY driver and Barnsley FC fan has travelled more than 3,000 miles on a classic Lambretta scooter in an attempt to visit every one of the Football League’s 92 grounds - and raised more than £1,700 for charity in the process.
Fifty-year-old Mick Wattam got the idea for the challenge one afternoon as he tried to avoid watching The X-Factor with his wife, Dawn.
The seasoned lorry driver and football fanatic took to a bedroom and set about planning a route around the grounds, realising he could make the 3,138-mile trip in stages across 12 months at a fairly leisurely pace - taking into account his scooter’s top speed of 54mph.
And so after a conversation with his mates at the pub, the ‘Tour de 92’ started in May.
Mick hopped on his 1964 Lambretta Li, one of five scooters he owns, and made his way around the country - starting with Oakwell, Leeds’ Elland Road, Bradford City’s Valley Parade and the two Sheffield clubs - taking photos at each stop.
And to his surprise, he managed to finish the whole route in two months.
“I basically just went out and played on my scooter,” said Mick, of Varney Road, Wath-upon-Dearne.
“I’ve never done anything like this. I’m quite shocked how much I raised.
“I didn’t have any problems at all, but when my mates asked how the scooter was running I changed the subject sharp in case I jinxed it. Those Lambrettas are well-known for breaking down.
“I feel a bit like I’m at a loose end now. I gave myself 12 months and did it in two.”
Mick spent around £700 on the trip, but raised more than £1,700 for Yorkshire Air Ambulance - chosen because he was at the match between Barnsley and Burton Albion last season at which volunteer Stephen Croft collapsed on the Oakwell pitch and had to be airlifted from the pitch to hospital.
The fan, who has been going to matches since he was three years old, said Dawn was initially hesitant - but she ‘managed to get onboard with it eventually’.
“My missus said we could have had a nice weekend away for the amount I spent,” laughed Mick.
“So I said she could jump on the back of the scooter with me.”
And now he has settled back in at home, Mick said he has made a lot of memories he can look back on - some good, some not so good.
“I could write a book about it,” he said.
“In Cheltenham I was ready for jacking it in, it was raining and I didn’t have any accommodation planned, but I thought about raising the money and you’ve got to push yourself in those situations.
“I stopped in AirBnBs and people’s houses. Sometimes I slept in my clothes, woke up early and was straight back out.
“On one night I was sat with a family eating fish and chips and watching Coronation Street.
“It’s been amazing, I’m glad I’ve done it.”
