Sam McQueen inspires Saints fans Bristol to St Mary's cycle

Saints fan Chris Collis, 34, and his seven-year-old son Charlie will cover the 80-mile distance to raise funds for the Saints Foundation.

The duo’s journey will start on August 23.

They aim to arrive at St Mary’s three days later.

For Chris, who was born in Southampton and attended Saints games with his late father, the trip is more than just a cycle.

Chris Collis with his two children Georgie 10 and Charlie, seven (Image: Chris Collis)

“I had season tickets myself with my dad growing up,” he said, “but when my dad passed away, I didn't go back to the stadium for a very long time just as it was something that I did with my dad I didn't feel comfortable going back.

“When I started taking my son to see the football, it reignited the tradition, and it became something that I do with him as I did with my dad.”

The father and son, who live in Bristol, are now season ticket holders and have travelled to every home game for the last two seasons.

Their challenge came about after Charlie asked his dad if they could replicate McQueen's cycle from Anfield in Liverpool to Southampton earlier this year.

Chris said: “(My son) asked me if we could do the same and I said we could potentially cycle from home to try and raise some money for the Saints Foundation.

“It's sort of inspired by Sam McQueen, but also in memory of my father, who was a big Saints fan who sadly passed away in 2011.”

The pair have been training around three times a week and excitement is building up. 

So far, they have raised just under £1,000.

Chris added: “[Charlie] absolutely loves it and is very excited. We go out on a Sunday morning and we do 30km and we'll stop maybe once on the way around for ten minutes and by the afternoon he's badgering me to get off the sofa and go back out again and go for another ride.”