The Surrey Comet's new feature takes a look back at one of the stories hitting the headlines this week in 2011.

A budding footballer helped Kingston & Polytechnic Harriers relay squad beat the individual track 10,000m in training in a bid to raise money for the cash-strapped club.

The squad of eight athletes clocked 26 minutes 12 seconds for the distance to better Ethiopian Kenenisa Bekele’s world record of 26:17, set in 2005.

Worcester Park’s Dida Alsaffar was part of the record attempt that raised money to host club fixtures in 2011.

Your Local Guardian:

Bifty: Dida Alsaffar showed off some dazzling ball skills to the Surrey Comet's photographer back in January 2011

The Kingston University student was 20 years old at the time and studying for a business diploma while dreaming of a route back into football, having scored 31 goals in 45 games for Scottish club Ayr United’s youth team.

A scholarship at an American university had him set for a shot at Major League Soccer, but he had his sights on life in the Championship.

“I really think I’m good enough to get a deal with a Championship or Premier League club, however, I’m in a bit of a dilemma,” said Alsaffar at the time.

“To do that I really need to be playing, but playing a semi-professional level is against the terms of my scholarship.

“That starts in September so I have nine months to get myself a contract. I have an agent, but it is hard without being able to play games at a good level.

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Ball games: Dida Alsaffar had all the tricks in the book, but it was not enough to land a top level football career

“I can play in the Championship and that is where I want to be.”

Striker Alsaffar turned out for Combined Counties League Premier Division Guildford City last season.