NON-LEAGUE football truly is one big family.

That was in real evidence this weekend as nine clubs pulled together to help support their former defender George Melling in his fight with motor neurone disease.

A hardy group of fans, former teammates and coaches hit the road to cycle between all nine of Melling’s former clubs.

Northwich Victoria was one stop en route, with Vics fans Colin Buckley, Jimmy Maddock and Jamie Dewsbury joining the ride at Wincham Park and cycling around 30 miles to Leek Town FC.

Overall, the ride helped push the funds raised to support Melling, his fiancée Nicci and their three children to just under £12,000.

Melling himself was along for the ride in the support motorhome to lend his backing to the riders.

“The support I have had since my diagnosis has been amazing,” he said.

“At each of the clubs we stopped at during the bike ride, they had buckets where people dropped in cash donations – I can’t thank everyone enough.

“It shows just how much people come together in the non-league community.”

The epic voyage started at Kendal Town FC on Friday and stopped off initially at Lancaster City’s Giant Axe and Bamber Bridge’s Irongate before the last call of the day at Coppull United.

The riders reached Wincham Park on Saturday lunchtime having first stopped at Altrincham’s Moss Lane ground before moving onto Leek.

Sunday then saw the group cycle back up to Hurst Cross – home of Ashton United FC – and Nelson’s Victoria Ground before the final stop at Melling’s last club, Longridge Town FC.