Southampton footballers attempt longest match

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-hampshire-32950908

Version 0 of 1.

An attempt to set a new world record for the longest-ever football match has kicked off.

A squad of 36 players will take turns to try and beat the current Guinness World Record of 72 hours, in a non-stop 11-a-side match at St Mary's Stadium in Southampton.

The teams, who kicked off at 18:30 BST, are aiming to play until Thursday at 22:30, netting 100 hours of play.

Organiser Luke Newman said the players had trained "really, really hard".

Each team is allowed a squad 18 players, but if the number on-pitch at any one time falls below eight the attempt will fail.

Mr Newman said the teams had been playing five to six-hour practice games in the run-up to the big match "to try and get used to being on the pitch and being on your legs for that time."

The current record holders are Stockport Albion and Manchester Rovers, who played their marathon game at Stretford High School in Manchester from 2 ­to 5 May 2013.

Stockport Albion won the game 603-462.