FANATICAL Aston Villa supporter Les Jones completed two very different marathons during the glorious weekend of his team's last FA Cup final appearance a year ago.

He followed a marathon drinking session on the day of the game by completing the Hereford marathon on the Sunday.

But the club president insists that following nine pints with a 26.2 mile run is "not to be recommended".

Despite this blip, Les's devotion to his running undoubtedly rivals and probably outstrips his affiliation to his beloved claret and blues.

He has been the top man at Amazing Feet Running Club, based at the Wyre Forest Glades Leisure Centre, since 1999.

He joined in 1984 and has had stints as director of coaching and chairman.

"It's a lovely friendly club," Les said. "It's thriving but we always welcome new members.

"I coach from experience and I like to encourage the runners. It gives me a tremendous thrill when they do well - almost as much as anything I've done myself."

And Les has a fair portfolio of experience to reflect upon. Since taking up running seriously almost 20 years ago, he has racked up more than 2,630 miles in a range of competitions - marathons and races of 55, 50, 40 and 13 miles.

That is without the many thousands of miles he covers in his several training sessions each week - on average between 70 and 80.

Divorced Les, 52 this month, lives in Kidderminster with his 25-year-old son, Dominic, and faithful hound, Rebel.

Home is in the grounds of St Ambrose Primary School, where Les works as site manager.

"I do enjoy the job, I'm always dealing with the kids and they're very supportive of my running," said Les.

It is somewhat surprising that Les is a big fan of outspoken Aston Villa boss John Gregory - he spent 14 years as a football referee in local leagues before running became his main pastime in 1982.

Les's Uncle Bob needed a companion to run the London marathon with him and the rest, as they say, is history. "That's where the love affair started!" he laughed.

That first marathon was completed in four hours and 10 minutes, while his personal best stands at 2:57 at Stratford in 1989.

He has also done a 55-mile London to Brighton run on several occasions to raise much-needed funds for Kidderminster cancer hospice Kemp House, a cause close to his heart as brother Denis and sister Marjorie have both been affected by the disease.

"I have made many great running friends from all over the country," Les said.

His other great pastime - "the odd pint" has to be managed sensibly to ensure his running is not adversely affected.

Unless, of course, Aston Villa are in line for a rare glimpse of success!