ROSSENDALE Mavericks have written themselves in to the record books after staging the longest ever girls football match.

The Mavericks played for more than 24 hours, and are now hoping their round-the-clock efforts earn them a place in the Guinness Book of Records.

The Under 17s team were joined by pupils from Fearns Community College for a match where the final whistle eventually blew with 24 hours and 30 minutes on the clock.

However, the footballing feat came at a cost with weary players picking up broken toes, black eyes and plenty of pulls and strains for their troubles.

But it will all be worth it if, as expected, the marathon match is ratified by the Guinness Book of Records.

A total of 16 girls took part in the match - held at Fearns Community Sports College - which was arranged to raise funds for charity and also raise the profile of girls football.

The Mavericks Under 17s team, managed by Andy Pope and who play in the North Valley Youth League, joined forces with Fearns Year 11 pupils who played in mixed teams.

The players decided themselves to raise funds for both NSPCC and Marie Curie Care, and they are hoping their efforts will raise more than £1,300 for charity.

Debbie Pope, who helped organise the event, said the girls played through the pain barrier and managed to keep tiredness at bay by playing the girls favourite music.

"There were some really tough times but the girls never once felt like stopping," said Debbie, "The tiredness seemed to hit them in waves. They went really well for the first four or five hours then struggled for a while. But once we hit the 24-hour mark, the last 30 minutes was excellent. They played some lovely free-flowing football and suddenly all the tiredness and the aches and pains went away.

"When they finally finished it was a magical moment."

Debbie said the Red Cross volunteers were kept busy as players suffered minors injuries such as cramps and sprains while a couple of players ended up nursing broken toes.

She said: "There were quite a few injuries and I think we worked the Red Cross volunteers overtime! We had a couple of broken toes, a black eye and plenty of pulls and strains."

The match was played to FA rules with each player required to take five minutes rest for every hour they played.

Debbie is now hoping their heroics will help raise the profile of the girls game.

"At the moment, there is a gap between the younger teams and senior teams and this is something we want to highlight.

"We thought of a number of ways to raise the profile of girls football and it was my daughter Rhian who suggested we tried to get in to the Guinness Book of Records.

While there is currently no record for the longest girls football match, Debbie revealed the club had to write a detailed application form to get the go-ahead for their marathon attempt.

Two witnesses had to be present at all times and a certificate will only be issued once the Guinness Book of Records are satisfied that video footage, photographic evidence and statements from witnesses all meet the strict guidelines.

The football match itself kicked off at 9pm Friday night before the final whistle finally blew at 9.30pm on Saturday night with an astonishing total of 649 goals scored.

As well as the ever present witnesses and medical staff, supporters, parents and teachers from Fearns popped in to lend their support as well as a Russian delegation who were guests of the school.

Debbie thanked British Aerospace, Tufties Hairdressers, Phil Cobb Drylining and Bollin Valley Water Coolers for their support while the FA, Blackburn Rovers and Burnley all donated prizes to be raffled off.

Now she and her players are just happy to put their feet up.

Debbie said: "It was hard work to organise and at times I wasn't sure if I could do it.

"But, in the end, it was all worth but I don't think we will be doing it again!"