THOUSANDS of pounds have been raised after a backroom member of staff completed a 102-mile cycle to help a footballer recover from a serious injury.

Poole Town FC striker Luke Roberts required knee surgery to repair his anterior cruciate ligament earlier this year, which ruled him out for the whole of the 2017/2018 season.

The talented goalscorer has undergone his operation and is now in the middle of a lengthy rehabilitation process to get back to full fitness.

To help fund his treatment, Mav Kopczeski, a member of Poole Town's commercial department, decided to cycle from Poole to Oxford City's ground, who the Dolphins were playing in the Vanarama National League South.

Last Saturday, the ride took Mav, and fellow cyclist Andrew Young, eight hours to complete.

The pair made it to the ground in time for the match, which Poole Town won 3-2.

Mav, who only joined the club this year, said: "I was feeling it afterwards and on Sunday, but it was a fantastic thing to do.

"I'm not sure I would have been able to do it without Andrew doing the ride as well because it was a struggle at times with all the issues I faced.

"When we arrived at Oxford the fans were so welcoming and generous with donations which was a real bonus and all the boys gave us a great reception.

"I said to them I wasn't cycling all that way to see them lose and fortunately they got the job done on the pitch and claimed the three points.

"I have to say a special thanks to Cycle Paths in Poole for the help towards the ride and also to the surgeons at Nuffield Hospital for the support they have given Luke."

The Just Giving page set up for the ride - justgiving.com/crowdfunding/pooletownfclukeroberts - has raised more than £1,000 and remains open.

And Mav said the cycle has raised between £3,000 and £3,500 to help fund Luke's post-operation rehabilitation.

Luke said: "Mav has been at the front of the fundraising effort, getting people to donate for the operation.

"He only joined the club this year and that says a lot about him and it's great everyone has backed him.

"I saw him when he got to Oxford and he looked as white as a ghost. You could see how tough it was.

"When you first get any injury it is hard not to feel down because you can't see the bigger picture, but when you get messages from people and they do stuff like this you can't help but feel positive and upbeat about your situation.

"It has all helped massively in my recovery."

Luke has his sights set on returning to full fitness for pre-season in the summer of 2018.