Poulson marathon effort deserves a break for cup-tie
FOOTBALL
FC STRATFORD midfielder Dean Poulson will be given a night off tonight (Tuesday) against Bewdley Town – after running the Birmingham International Marathon alongside dad and team manager Dave.
Dean played for an hour in Saturday’s 6-0 win at Castle Vale Town and then joined his father to compete the first marathon in the Second City for three decades.
They have already raised more than £1,200 for Alzheimer’s Society and the pair said they had been humbled by the support they have been shown.
“It was tough and halfway through my calves were really playing up,” said Poulson senior, “but I was going to finish. I was in bits but after all the support we’ve had I would have felt I would have let people down if I didn’t get to the end.
“The support from players, other clubs and people that neither Dean nor myself really know has been fantastic.
“I was pretty jaded but Dean is fit as a fiddle so he was OK.”
Poulson jnr, though, will enjoy a rest tonight as FC Stratford look to make it ten wins in a row since the start of the season against one of their toughest opponents so far.
Stratford have already dumped out three higher league sides in cup competitions and Bewdley, from West Midlands Premier, will be another challenge in tonight’s Smedley Crooke Memorial Cup first round clash at the MoodChimp Stadium (7.45pm).
Poulson snr will have hesitation in making a raft of changes for tonight’s game, with Paul Dipple returning in goal, and brother Ady Dipple stepping into defence.
Adam Hemming, Freddy Murphy and Jay Tilbury will also feature as Stratford stress the importance of keeping all the players involved and match sharp.
Anyone wishing to donate to Dean and Dave Poulson’s fundraising can click on their justgiving website at https://www.justgiving.com/fundraising/dean-poulson