U19 – Holland 08 – End of an Era

The Journey(s)
Scheduled to leave at 3.25a.m all were on board by 3.05. With only one pit stop either side of the channel and Jim the driver overtaking wagons we were always ahead of time and caught earlier ferries than expected on both outward and return journeys.

Unlike previous tours to Holland the travelling was made more comfortable due to each passenger having 2 seats. Noticeably missing from this tour was Gobby but Lefty stepped up to the mark (although 65 decibels lower) and led renditions of old favourites ‘ Ever where we go ‘ – German bombers and twist and shout. Then she unleashed the CRAZY MOOSE!!

Accommodation
Set in a picturesque small town 5km from Klein Vink (1st tour park) and newly renovated it was somewhere to take your partner not a football tour. Arriving early caught hotel staff on the hop as they were running late preparing for their first guests. US! With apologies and the smell of fresh paint drinks on the house were served for 2 hours. The rooms were spacious and high standard as was the restaurant where we enjoyed large buffet style hot an cold continental breakfasts (all included) each morning. Evening meals were soon arranged in traditional tour buffet style for €9.95 per head.

Having eaten and looking to Saturdays games the new tour kit was handed out. Players policed themselves on the behaviour and alcohol front to their credit. Entertainment was limited and focused each night on straight pool and killer pool competitions.

Management
No Daz, No Neil what were we to do? After great deliberation the specialists were called in the shape of Donny, Mr Blank , Damo 666 and Westie Who in turn called meeting after meeting and meetings to arrange meetings. Even holding court at breakfast on the management table which Mrs Blank managed to Infiltrate.

Tournament Day One
Torrential rain and snow showers were the order of the day. But we hoped with a 1.30 kick off that it would break by the time we got to Sportpark De Kwik, and it did. With many of the players experienced in the tournament format our 3 new tour players were at ease Kelly – Ann, Sarah and Mel.

With an executive management decision that all players would have equal playing time the stall was set out for each of them to step up to the mark. And they did with wins over:

Vriendeschar (Holland) – 6 – 0 Shrek 1, Willis 2 , Smiffy 2 & Midge 1
VOW (Holland) – 4 – 0 Lenny 2, Lefty 1 & Brad 1
SC.Botlek (Holland) – 5 – 0 Shrek 1, Mel 2 & Willis 2

From kick off this squad of misfits 1st’s, reserves and imports wearing their new kit worked as a unit. You would not have known it was 12months ago since they last played together. While the scores reflected an easy passage to day two it was not always one sided with solid defence clearing up in an efficient manner before Sara had a look in and with a midfield and front line in no mood for slip ups today clinical finishing did the rest.

Having earned another 1.30 kick off on Sunday the parents celebrated on behalf of the players with Red Vodka being the tipple of the night. Management one upmanship soon reared its head when Donny having failed to check his equipment miscued due to no tip and accused his colleague of skulduggery and the banter carried on. A great night in was had with many a cheer and one liners.

Tournament Day 2 Hapse Boys Club
With the other group winners and runner up to play today it was not going to be easy to capture a hatrick of Easter Open successes.

Our 1st game was against Himmel – Veddelev BK Semi – Finalists in the Danish cup and group two Winners and they didn’t disappoint, withstanding heavy pressure from Cov and looking dangerous on the break only a penalty put to bed by Shrek broke the deadlock. Shots off target, wide and saved the game was finally sewn up in the final minutes by Lenny and a sigh of relief was heard on the touch lines.

Game 2 - F.C Binnemaas – Runners up of group 2, and runners up in their provincial championship the Management took nothing for granted, professional warm ups, much needed shooting practice, and team talks. Meetings and more meetings.

With Cov eager to get 2 wins under their belt shots rained in on the Binnemaas goal but it was Polygrips Alpaca friends who were in more danger of being hit, 20 yards behind the goal. Management cries to calm down were effective and Cov calmed down to play some neat slick football which resulted in a 3 – 0 win. Scorers -Channy, Mush & Forbes.

Our final game was against S.C Botlek who we had beaten 5 – 0 on day one and the players thought it was all over bar the shouting but Botlek had other ideas. Over confident Cov were struggling to piece together the flowing football that organisers & other managers had complimented them on and Botlek upped their game. Frustrated management orders were barked out. The tension was broken when Willis with a signature low drive from outside the box put Cov in front and after Forbes forced another over the line. At 2 – 0 it looked all over but Botlek Came back with a brilliant solo effort, leaving Morgan no chance. Game on and the large Botlek crowd left us know it. Lefty filled her boots scoring a third to our delight and the Cov parents roared to the final whistle. Haspe Boys Club welcomed us for a 3rd consecutive year to their club house and praised the girls for an unprecedented Hatrick of wins and asked where Gobby was ?? (quiet unassuming why would anybody remember Gobby). The presentation and celebrations were eagerly awaited for by Hapse club members and our girls did not disappoint with CHAMPIONI CHAMPIONI .F.C Binnemaas joined in chanting F.C. Bin-ner-maas WE LOVE ENGERLAND.

Back at the hotel and celebrations hit full flow with the players now on the loose and the Trophy taking pride of place on the bar and us as the only guests the girls ( with hotel approval) turned the bar into their own mini night club, selecting their own music off the hotel system and partying till 2.30 in the morning.

Clarence true to form became the bog- eyed lion Polygrip started to slide, and Pitbull has just one thing to say ‘ More Wed Wodka’

Last Day
With players recovery time seemingly instantaneous from the nights celebrations a vote was carried to go Laser Quest and bowling on the afternoon with Lou (one with class); Smiffy and Channy opting for the Thermal Spa. Jim our driver and addition to everything on tour, played taxi and dropped the 3 on the way. Once again the adults never learn, with the girls off shooting each other the bar was hit and hit again well. With Polygrip and Donny starting like sprinters Donny’s back was soon broken but it was Pitbulls day as she proved to be the Marathon Runner.

Surfing With Newkie
With out last night still ahead Jaws had planned a surf night and locals were gobsmacked to see 23 Bermudans in the town. Mr Blank (Ade) got the wrong idea and turned up looking like a Blackpool deck chair and Donny ripped him much to Damo 666’s amusement. The Postman arrived and just happened to have some spare kak shirts and the night was on. With the girls looking tacky and the guys looking COOL Newcastle Brown Ale appeared and the saying Surfing with Newkie was born.

Pitbull, Clarence, Polygrip and every bodies antics went on into the night and Pitbull and her WED WODKA have gone in to the tour legend department. Players have their own stories to tell not for the website but Martini, Bacardi and Sambuca & More Sambuca are at the centre of a lot of them.

Our two previous tours have been great but for many reasons this one with everything going our way from the journey, to the hotel staff. The driver, the weather, kick off times much, much, more and the result. This one was a pleasure thanks to the players, the parents and the management.