Cotgrave Colts Under 8’s UK Football Tours East Coast Cup Tour 2008

Whitsun Weekend - DOUBLE CUP WINNERS

Last weekend 9 team members plus families went on Annual Tour to Sunny Mablethorpe to take part in the East Coast Cup tournament which was held down the road at Sutton Rovers FC, Sutton-on-Sea. Apparently it rained in Nottingham on the Sunday and we all stayed dry all weekend (ha ha!) although it was extremely windy on both days which didn’t make playing (or spectating) conditions great.

A team bonding session took place on the Friday night when we arrived which involved most parents drinking a fair amount of alcohol and the boys and their siblings spending a lot of our money on the slot machines that were on offer at the caravan site.

Saturday

Things didn’t look too good on Saturday morning for our first day of football. The shenanigans of the Friday evening meant that none of the team went to bed before 11pm (it was definitely hard work getting my two up!). Then we heard the news that Carl (our sensible team manager) was ill with a self-inflicted hangover.

Sam and Paul set off to the ground early to erect the team gazebo. They got lost and somehow ended up back in Mablethorpe and setting off at the same time as everyone else!! Things were not going to plan…

Amazingly, 10am arrived and Carl was fine, the gazebo was up and the boys were excited, smiling and ready for kick off.

We won the first game against a local side 2-1 which was a good warm-up game for the lads and a good start to the day. The boys started to play better and better as they day went on which showed just how much they have all improved this season. They won every match and conceded only 2 goals all day – Brilliant…they were a pleasure to watch. The final beckoned.

The team who were lying second and our opponents for the final were Theddlethorpe who were the team we had played first that morning. Although there was no pressure put on the boys from anyone (and there never is) the boys themselves wanted to win desperately. A few of them were caught looking under the table in the club house at the big winners cup and understandably these young boys knew how close they were to getting their hands on it. The game began and our boys looked nervous and it was Theddlethorpe that were the first team to score. The lads gradually started pull their game together and played with determination and passion, some even with tears in their eyes, and deservedly came back with the equaliser and went on the win the final 2-1. Hurray…The boys hugged and congratulated one another on the win.

Thankfully our youngsters didn’t seem to be intimidated during the final when a parent or supporter of the opposing team actually went onto the pitch to question the referee over what they thought to be “14” unfair tackles. I have never known this happen before. A comment on the Theddlethorpe website which I must defend suggested that the game was a “battle”. The only thing 7 and 8 year olds know about battles is when they watch Power Rangers on the TV. To suggest that any of our boys are malicious in any way is upsetting, unfair and unsporting.

This aside, the team lined up proudly to collect their well earned trophies and the Cup which was nearly as big as them! Carl watched proudly from the side… this must have been the best hangover cure ever.

Sunday

Once again, the wind was strong but at least it wasn’t raining. Todays competition for the Under 8 teams was run on a league basis. Nutall FC who played in the Saturday tournament had gone home and two Clifton teams arrived to take part. The boys were having a great time enjoying their little holiday together and saw today as a day to play the football they love with anything more being a bonus.

Our first match was against Clifton Blues which we won 3-2. Clifton are a good team with some very quick players and this game was close – the best part however was Jacob’s ball body-popping amazing!. Next we played Brierly Cubs from Barnsley who I think we beat 8-1. Mablethorpe were next and despite numerous chances, it was one of those matches when the goals just weren’t going in and we really needed a win to stand a chance of progressing further. At half time the score was 0-0 but Cotgrave scored 3 in the second half to set up the penultimate match with Clifton Whites. Although we won this game, this young Clifton team is to be watched for the future with some promising players and a great goalkeeper who made an outstanding save.

During the lunch break the news came through that we needed a win or draw in the last match to win the Cup again however, the opponents were Theddlethorpe who were yesterdays runners-up and have a good strong team.

The game was exciting and evenly matched with good football coming from both sides. However, Adam was the hero of the game and pulled off an outstanding save to ensure the final score 0-0. A fair result and another good day of football. The boys lifted the trophy for the second day running and were congratulated individually by Carl and then by us all including some of the other Managers who were very sporting and praised our boys.

The boys looked very smart for the presentation evening, Jess was the pre-presentation entertainment and got the crowd going with her super dance moves! We were all very proud as we watched the lads collect their trophies.

Where to next year gang?

Thanks to: Carl and all involved with the football, Sharon and Jackie for pulling the tour together

To Jess, Josh, Ashley, Lewis, Louise and Dom who weren’t involved in the football but cheered the boys on despite the weather and last but not least Kayleigh for holding baby Millie in for the weekend. Congratulations!

To the boys that couldn’t go on tour Kieran, Liam and Ben – this is for you too – you were missed!