FOOTBALL-mad Bradley Saxton is harnessing the power of the beautiful game to raise hundreds of pounds for York Against Cancer.

York City supporter Bradley, 22, studies Sports Journalism at UCFB in Manchester, and has friends who form teams to take each other on while fundraising for good causes.

His side have previously competed to support organisations such as the anti-racism movement Kick It Out, but when it fell to Bradley to pick a charity, he turned to an organisation offering cancer care, support and education to people in his home area.

“I thought I would choose something closer to home and close to my heart,” said Bradley, from Clifton, York. “I have had a couple of family members who have suffered from different forms of cancer, one of them who's no longer with us today, so it is something that has touched my life.”

Bradley’s team, named after his YouTube channel Into Added Time will take on a friend’s side We Go Again, at Moss Rose, home of Macclesfield FC on Saturday, June 26 with a 10.30am kick off. The players are starting to prepare for the match, although some are rusty because of coronavirus restrictions getting in the way of training.

Bradley said: “I used to play six-a-side until I moved for uni but I haven’t played for a while - I’m hoping to get back into it as restrictions ease. Normally my team just rocks up on the day (and normally we lose!) but I am trying to organise some training sessions which could prove very beneficial.

“Grass roots sport is now allowed again but as things stand the match will have to be played behind closed doors.

“We are hoping that by the time it happens we might be able to have a small crowd but right now it is one person per player, so it is touch and go.”

All the players have donated cash to York Against Cancer in order to participate and Bradley’s JustGiving page has already attracted so much sponsorship that his £500 target has been smashed. The total currently stands at £617 and Bradley hopes to eventually raise around £750 with the match.

Julie Russell, York Against Cancer General Manager, said: “We wish both teams the best of luck. Whoever emerges victorious, we’ll feel like winners because they’ve all been so generous.”

You can support the teams by clicking here.