Wembley finale for supporter's cycle marathon

A LIFELONG York City fan who has cycled to every match this season will pedal his way to Wembley next weekend for the club's play-off final showdown against Oxford United.

Simon Hood, 33, gave up his job and sold his flat so that he could concentrate on his epic 10,000-mile journey which has taken him to places as far flung as Eastbourne and Gateshead during the past nine months.

Now his gruelling charity cycle ride, which has raised nearly 5,000 for the Alzheimer's Society, comes to an end next Sunday when he will join thousands of York City fans in the capital to watch the Minstermen battle it out for a coveted place in the Football League.

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Speaking yesterday, Mr Hood said: "I couldn't have picked a better season to do it, if it had been the previous one I'm not sure I would have finished. But you couldn't get more of a Hollywood ending than to cycle down Wembley Way like this."

Mr Hood's nomadic existence following the team from match to match has meant spending long spells away from his home in York.

He said: "The first couple of days were hard but you get used to it, I think lugging all my equipment round with me was the biggest challenge. But overall, it's been fantastic."

To make a donation, visit www.justgiving.com/bicyclekicks

Meanwhile, train operator East Coast has said it will run additional train services next Sunday to help York fans travel to the capital. An extra East Coast train service will leave York at 11.25 in the morning, with an additional return service leaving London King's Cross at 8.25pm.