Express & Star

VIDEOS & PICTURES: Jeff Stelling's Men United March comes to West Midlands

Sports presenter Jeff Stelling was striding through Wolverhampton, West Bromwich and Walsall today as part of an epic trek to raise funds for a prostate cancer charity.

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The Sky anchorman was on day six of his Hartlepool to Wembley trek, which kicked off this morning at Molineux, where he was met by Wolves boss Jez Moxey and former club goalkeeper Matt Murray.

They joined him on today's leg to the Banks's Stadium and Hawthorns before moving on to Villa Park and St Andrews.

Ex-Albion players Ian Hamilton and Daryl Burgess, Paralympian Ben Rowlings, Walsall chief executive Stefan Gamble and former Wolves and Villa manager Graham Turner were also due to join the 22-mile hike.

"I'd done a couple of minor things for Prostate Cancer UK and basically the charity approached me," explained Stelling during today's walk.

"I thought with my involvement on the fringes of football, it was the ideal marriage if you like, that football could raise awareness for prostate cancer in men.

"This is how we came to the 10 marathons in 10 days, covering 30-odd football grounds as we go along to try and get the message across."

Stelling has run marathons in the past and climbed Mt Kilimanjaro for charity, but the 61-year-old's latest stunt is proving the toughest yet.

"I thought how difficult can it be? I've ran marathons, and they've been tough, but after four hours they're finished, you've got the silver foil wrapped around you, you've got your mars bar in one hand, your cup of coffee in the other hand and life's fantastic.

"Here, we're not even half way after four hours.

"I found it tough particularly after the first two or three days which were really long days - 27 miles and 33 miles - and the pure fact you've got to keep on your feet and keep moving for 12 hours at a time was pretty difficult to cope with.

"After two days I would have told you this is the hardest thing I've ever done but your body adjusts, it comes to expect that you're going to be doing this day in, day out. Right now I feel fine, famous last words."

Although the walk from Molineux to the Banks's Stadium was pleasant enough, there is a downpour forecast this afternoon.

"We've had five days of really good weather," said Jeff.

"This is where it ends, we're going to get some torrential rain today but just think of the satisfaction when you get through that.

"When you get to your goal at the end it will be even more satisfying, that's the way I'm looking at it anyway."

Stelling has been joined on the march by a whole host of former footballers and celebrity friends.

Today, ex-Aston Villa striker and Soccer Saturday pundit Alan McInally took part.

"I've been personally touched by this particular charity with my father being diagnosed with prostate cancer and my partner's father being diagnosed with the same thing," explained the former Bayern Munich and Celtic player.

"So when Jeff said he was going to do it, it was just a matter of time of fitting in when I could support him and happy to do so."

The 53-year-old Scotsman was in high spirits, playing up to the cameras with football keepy-uppys.

"I'm fine, I must admit I'm a keen golfer so I get a bit of walking in," he said.

"The only problem is I've got a metal knee which is from an old football injury and that's a bit of a nightmare.

"If I'm only complaining about that I'm doing alright."

Proceeds from the Men United March will go to the Prostate Cancer UK charity.

So far the walk has raised £219,000 and Stelling is hoping to smash through quarter of a million soon.

The Soccer Saturday host is aiming to cover roughly 10 walking marathons in 10 days, checking in at 32 football clubs and clocking up 262 miles in total. He is due to finish on Wednesday.

Express & Star reporter Matt Wilson was tweeting (and retweeting) from the march as he strode out with Stelling:

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