Author: Lee Adams
Our first non-league walk.
The sun beamed down upon me on this Sussex walk, pre season was in full swing. Teams were back together after the summer break and the 2019/20 season was upon us.
Looking at the fixtures this was the stand out one, 12 and a half miles in Sussex countryside was a given.
I set off from The Dripping Pan Stadium, home of Lewes FC at 1.30pm and headed to Hanbury Park Stadium, the home of Haywards Heath for a pre-season friendly between the two teams.
The walk itself took me through the most picturesque walk I had been on, it beat the side of the pavement around London, Birmingham etc. I was alone with my thoughts and in a really happy place.
There were a few close calls on this walk, with long stretches of no pavements, blind bends and having to walk into oncoming traffic on the winding country roads made it interesting and challenging at times. Have a watch of the video of the walk here.
As I was walking, the amazing Haywards Heath FC and Lewes FC reached out and tweeted me wishing me good luck, that meant so much to me.
The 13 mile, 4 and a half hour walk was really enjoyable and the time and walk had flown by. As I reached Hanbury Park, the home of Haywards Heath FC, a Steward met me at the ground entrance, asking if I was the lad that walked from Lewes FC, I said I was. That was one of many people who spoke to me at the match that day. Everyone at the Club from players, to the management team, supporters and staff were so welcoming and supportive, and was the start of a relationship that's continued to grow. Watch this space for future plans with the Club!
It was a fantastic game of Football between the two sides, and welcome rest after the walk. It was great to catch up with former Fulham FC player Darren Freeman, Manager of Lewes FC, who was very supportive of our Walk and Talk MMH movement.