THE chairman of the Northern League, Mike Amos, has begun a 500-mile sponsored walk to mark his retirement.

The Northern Echo columnist, who has been chair of the football league for 20 years and associated with it for 30, will step down in June next year.

To mark the occasion, the 68-year-old is completing 44 pre-match walks of around 12 miles to each of the league’s grounds, named the Last Legs Challenge.

He hopes to raise at least £10,000, with half going to the Sir Bobby Robson Foundation and the other half to be spread between good causes nominated by each of the Northern League teams.

Mr Amos has so far completed three legs from Staithes to Marske, near Redcar, Darlington to Newton Aycliffe, and North Bitchburn to Tow Law, raising more than £3,600.

During his Newton Aycliffe leg, he was joined by six others, including league president and former World Cup referee, 74-year-old George Courtney, friend Harvey Harris and Kit Pearson, who planned the route.

“We were told the walk was about 10.5 miles, so we put in a couple of miles around the park in Darlington first.

“But as it turned out, the guy who planned it didn’t count properly as we ended up walking around 15 miles,” he said.

“It was absolutely boiling. In Newton Aycliffe we were met by the mayor, Mary Dalton, who is 90 and it’s her fourth time as mayor.

“She was absolutely smashing and handed over a cheque from the club.”

Mr Amos hopes each of the clubs will get involved with the challenge by sending someone to walk with him, as well as contributing to his fundraising.

“It is about emphasising the Northern League’s place at the centre of North-East communities,” he said.

“The great thing is the clubs have been really supportive. Now we have got around £3,600 before it has even really started, which is smashing.

“I do not drive a car and never have, so I am accustomed to walking, but walking 12 miles 44 times is going to be a bit tough."

His next leg will be Tuesday, August 18 to South Shields.

To donate visit justgiving.com/lastlegschallenge