Mallett gets on his bike to say ‘thank you to football’
Football: TV entertainer cycles to York Road and beyond to show his gratitude
Timmy Mallett donned his helmet and buckled himself in to complete a charity bike ride with two of his friends to express his gratitude to football, writes Shay Bottomley.
The popular TV host took on the challenge on Monday which had him cycle to various football grounds in and around the Thames Valley area.
“It was about saying thank you,” said the exWacaday presenter.
“A thank you to football for entertaining us during lockdown, looking after our mental health, and keeping us excited.
“It was also a thank you to what football clubs have done in helping the NHS with its vaccinations.”
Mallett began his journey at York Road in the low temperatures and snow, and was waved off by Peter Griffin and Jon Adams.
Along the way he visited Championship outfit Reading FC's Madejski Stadium, as well as his cherished Oxford United, where COVID-19 vaccinations have
been taking place.
“I wanted to start at my beloved Maidenhead United,” said Mallett.
“I wanted to say thank you, because I’ve been watching them during lockdown and it has been an entertaining season.
“Are we mad?
“We woke up this morning and the snow was coming down.
“We just said 'let's do it'.” The 65-year-old completed his ride at Wycombe Wanderers' Adams Park, another stadium being used as a vaccination centre.
As a York Road regular, Timmy is looking forward to the return of spectators in football grounds.
“I think sport in general is really important – not just for exercise, but it's also really good for your mental health” said Mallett.
“It’s good for making you achieve the most that you possibly can, and that’s all we have to do, to be the best at what we do.
“That’s what I like about sport, and football in particular does exactly that.”