Warriors ready for marathon test! Former Skegness Town and Louth Town players putting in one final shift in memory of gaffer Paul Walden

Pictured are Wally’s Warriors Paul Watts, Mark Hallam, Kurt Crossley and Ben Davison, who played under him at both Skegness and Louth.

Members of Paul Walden’s title-winning Skegness Town and Louth Town sides are preparing to put in one final shift for their gaffer.

Popular manger ‘Wally’, who guided both the Lilywhites and White Wolves to back-to-back league titles, lost his battle with a brain tumour in November.

Both of his former clubs may be inactive right now due to their leagues being on hold, but former and current players from both sides will run more than a marathon distance in his honour on Sunday.

“We had a fantastic time at both Skeg Town and Louth Town with him, the type of character he was, he made it very much a family environment and people have stayed in touch since then,” explained former player Mark Hallam.

“We’re running from Skegness’ old ground to where Louth used to play. From the times we had at those two places, it seemed a poignant thing to do. From ground to ground where we had so much success with him.

“Wally had this unique ability to get people to run through brick walls for him. Even if he put you on the bench you’d still give your all for him if you got on.

“He’d enjoy watching us suffer going up those hills.”

Hallam, Paul Watts, Kurt Crossley, Ben Davison, Phil Winters, Robbie Winters, Jason Callaby, Callum Hyland, Scott Drury, Andy Appleby, Daniel Pawson, Gary Pawson, Jack Debnam, Michael Twigg, Paul Coulham, Michael Armstrong, Tim Lowe, Craig Wherry, Craig Dalton, Gino Hinchcliffe, Chris Hillard, Michelle Hillard, Dean Revill, Paul Baker and Wade Hurst will take part either on foot or on bike, while Eddie Clarke and Carl Martin covered the distance this week.

Former player Sean Chamberlain, who now lives in New Zealand, will complete the same distance while Walden’s children, Becky, Parice and Jordan are going to join in the final leg from Little Cawthorpe.

It was hoped the event could raise £1,000 for the St Barnabas Hospice in Louth, which helped Walden during his battle. But that target was passed on the first day a GoFundMe page was launched. The total currently stands at £7,375, with a new target of £10,000. You can donate by visiting here.