Tough charity bike ride awaits Cresswell before pre-season

Cresswell, who also played for Leeds United, York City, and Sheffield Wednesday, will be joined by Blades midfielder Nick Montgomery and Nottingham Forest’s Jonathan Greening on the 170-mile coast-to-coast ride from Morecambe to his home town of Bridlington.

The trio have been inspired by Cresswell’s twin nieces, Evie and Darcie Chapman, who suffer from Dravet Syndrome, a rare form of epilepsy.

“There are only around 300 people diagnosed with the syndrome in the UK and Evie and Darcie are the only known twins that have both been given the diagnosis,” said Cresswell.

“The aim is to raise awareness and money for research and, hopefully, better treatment and medication – not only for the twins but also other sufferers of Dravet Syndrome.”

Other relatives and friends are also taking part in the event which takes place on Thursday and Friday this week.

Cresswell, 34, will then have two days to recover from the bike ride before returning to pre-season training with the Blades.

It is now six weeks since the penalty shoot-out defeat by Huddersfield Town at Wembley that consigned the Blades to a second consecutive season playing League One football.

The result may have put a dampener on Cresswell’s summer but the striker is stressing the need for positivity when players return for duty.

“To miss out on promotion because of one kick of a ball was hard to take,” he reflected. “We were gutted for everyone involved with the club, especially the fans who stuck with us.

“It was a terrible end to a great season and, when we come back, there can be no room for negativity or looking back on what might have been.”

The Blades have still to sign any new players since releasing several members of last season’s squad, while midfielders Kevin McDonald and Lee Williamson and striker Chris Porter have yet to sign new deals.

Cresswell hopes his club will not have to sacrifice key players over the next few weeks but accepts there are likely to be changes at Bramall Lane.

“There was also a lot of uncertainty this time last year and you never know what’s around the corner in football,” he said.

“Hopefully, we can hang onto a couple of players but, obviously, we have heard about the cost-cutting so we will have to wait and see.

“It’s vitally important that we keep this squad together and keep players like Harry Maguire and Matt Lowton. The gaffer knows what players he wants to keep and what players, financially, he can’t keep – so there will be changes, unfortunately.

“But there are a lot of hungry young players coming through the ranks and, hopefully, we will get the right blend of youth and experience to have a right good go at winning promotion again.”

Cresswell, who will be 35 in September, still has 12 months remaining on his contract with the Blades and is keen to play on for at least another five years.

“I have always taken pride in my fitness and I definitely want to play until I am 40,” he said. “If you can stay fit and stay clear of injuries, why not?”

Anyone wishing to support Cresswell’s charity cycle ride or donate should visit the website www.justgiving.com/Mark-Chapman13