Bluebirds fan Matthew Bullock is putting his best foot forward in aid of the Fred Keenor Statue Fund appeal – by running the Toronto marathon.Matthew, 28, who is single and lives in Porthcawl, will take to the streets of the Canadian city in October, having previously run in Berlin.
Season-ticket holder Matthew, a chef at the Atlantic Hotel in Porthcawl, said: “I’ve decided to pledge my support to the Fred Keenor Appeal because I believe the club should honour one of its greats.
“Liverpool has done the same with Bill Shankly, Manchester United with Law, Best and Charlton, Middlesborough and Nottingham Forest with Brian Clough, so we should follow their examples.
“The fact that Fred was a Somme veteran just adds to the need for this tribute.” Last year Matthew raised more than £500 running the Berlin marathon for cancer research.
Matthew said that he had been a Bluebirds fan since August 1994 when he went to my first game with father Paul.
“It was a mid-week fixture at home to Wrexham. I recall it was 0-0, not a classic game but I was hooked by the atmosphere. It was great to watch the match under the floodlights as opposed to just watching it on TV.
“My favourite City player during my time as a fan is Graham Kavanagh. He always seemed so classy and composed on the ball and stood out, even alongside Willie Boland!!”
Matthew said that among his most memorable matches were the FA Cup run of 2008, the playoffs (maybe not so much the Blackpool game), the FA Cup clash with Leeds United, the 2-0 win over Birmingham a few years ago and the first game in the Cardiff City Stadium against Scunthorpe.
“I loved Ninian Park but it was essential that we moved on and a cracking result against Scunthorpe got things off to a great start.”
Pledge your support to Matthew by contacting him by email at matty_bullock@yahoo.co.uk .
Donations to the appeal fund can be made through the Co-operative Bank:
Account name: – Fred Keenor Statue Fund or FKSF
Account no 65392368
Sort Code 08-92-99
Cheques can also be sent c/o CCST to PO Box 4254, Cardiff, CF14 8FD. Please add the words “Fred Keenor Appeal” on the top of the envelope.