Ryan’s on a tour of the South for Prostate Cancer UK

TWENTY-ONE clubs, 21 grounds. 1,000 miles. All on a bike.

That’s the challenge that computer game researcher Ryan O’Connell has set himself this season, as he continues his cycle to every ground in National League South – all in the name of charity for Prostate Cancer UK.

Setting off in August, Ryan has so far covered 15 of the division’s 21 clubs, clocking up over 600 miles and 51 hours on the road. On route, he has witnessed 36 goals and has saved an impressive 172kg of carbon dioxide emissions – that’s the equivalent of planting eight trees.

By the final day of the season, Ryan will have covered roughly 1,000 miles and the intrepid researcher is set to celebrate Non-League Day on March 26 at Hemel Hempstead Town’s Vauxhall Road for the visit of Tonbridge Angels.

“I do a lot of driving to football grounds and, while I use public transport where I can, I wanted to cycle to prove that it can be done,” said Ryan, a researcher for Football Manager for more than a decade and currently the Head Researcher for the National League South division.

PEDAL POWER: Ryan O’Connell is cycling round every National League South ground

“Here’s the thing though: I’m not a cyclist. I’m a nearly 40-year-old dad of four with a ‘dad bod’. The first thing I’d like to achieve is better fitness and I’ve certainly needed that on some of these trips.”

Ryan also revealed that the challenge was the perfect opportunity to raise money for a charity close to his heart.

“I also wanted to use this project as an opportunity to raise money for Prostate Cancer UK,” he added.

“I recently lost my father-inlaw to cancer and the statistic that 11,500 men die from prostate cancer each year is sobering. I wanted to honour my father-in-law’s memory and at the same time raise money that can go towards research to help stop people dying from prostate cancer, so I’ve been proudly wearing my ‘Man of Men’ badge at every ground I visit.”

● You can follow the highs and lows of Ryan’s journey throughout the season on his Twitter and YouTube accounts, and you can donate at justgiving.com/fundraising/thecyclingresearcher.