Manchester - After a gruelling 72 hours on the pitch it looks as though the Midshire F72 may have put Stockport on the map by smashing the Guinness record for the world’s longest football match.

The marathon match finished with a score of 603 to ‘the reds’ Stockport Albion and 462 to ‘the whites’ Manchester Rovers – with blister numbers keeping step with the goal tally.

Organised by Midshire Business Systems’ salesman Nick Rose, who also captained the winning team, the event was aimed at testing fitness, resolve and commitment to an unprecedented degree, and raising money for local children’s hospice Francis House.

As for the match, it lasted the equivalent of at least 48 ordinary games, back to back, and took place at Stretford High School, finishing with a firework finale.  

“I knew that I wanted the event to be football related, due to my passion for the sport. I’m also a fitness enthusiast, and so the ‘marathon’ element of the idea really appealed.” said Nick.

Speaking shortly after the match, where each player spent five hour stints on the pitch broken only with a one hour sleep break in tents around the touchline, Nick said: “We’re record holders in waiting.  We know we’ve done the time; it’s down to the Guinness Records people to examine our efforts and declare it a success.  I’m absolutely over the moon about this; it’s the best thing I’ve taken part in, in my life.  There were highs and lows but everyone supported each other.  The camaraderie was amazing, there was only really one team out there, every player looked out for others on the pitch, no matter which side they were playing for.”

This longest football match involved 36 amateur players, all from Stockport and Manchester, all aiming to smash the 64 hour record, held in Holland.

Co organiser Paul Logan, said:  "All standard match rules applied, meaning the players were not allowed to leave the pitch perimeter, and only accumulated five minutes rest for every one hour played."

Sponsorships for the epic sporting trial begun with Stockport-based Midshire pledging £5,000. In a few weeks the event will be celebrated with a gala dinner which organisers hope will add to the funds raised for the hospice.

Nick’s wife Vickie, who kept score, added:  “Everyone was brilliant, lots of people came to watch and lend their support, with people drifting in and then coming back later to see how the match was progressing.