Sixteen boys from Sale United’s Under 13 squads flew from Manchester to Amsterdam on Sunday to take part in a week long football tour in Holland
This is the fifth year in succession that the tour has taken place during the Whitsuntide school break. The boys are staying for six nights at a picturesque Youth Hostel in Bunnik, close to the beautiful City of Utrecht. However, this is the first time they have flown over and in the past it has meant a twelve-hour journey by road.
Utrecht Highlighted
The Hostel at Bunnik
Over the past few years Sale United has built up a special relationship with a number of football clubs in the Utrecht area. The squad will be playing four games in the evenings and are hoping to go one better than last year’s squad by winning all four games. Last year’s squad were, in fact, the first Holland squad to return undefeated when they won two and drew two games.
In addition to the football, the boys will visit the FC Utrecht ground, the Amsterdam Arena, where both the Holland National side and Ajax play, as well as enjoying some time at a Theme Park and Water Park.
Tour organiser Stewart Hamer said, ”its good for our boys to see the facilities enjoyed by their Dutch counterparts and for them to mix with our European neighbours. Each year we make small adjustments to improve the trip and this year the cheaper flight prices available have made it possible for us to get the squad over there much, much quicker.”
The Squad pictured shortly before heading for the Airport
Tour Diary
Sunday 29 May The lads met at Terminal 1 Man Airport at 10.30am. Fly 12.45, arrive 15.10 at Schiphol (one hour ahead). Then by mini-buses down to Bunnik, 3 miles out of Utrecht.
Arrived at Hostel at 18.30, and had a training session at 19.00 at the Bunnik 73 ground close by.
The local press were out in force, taking photographs and interviewing Stewart Hamer, who made the point that Sale United have brought a total of 87 boys to play in Holland over the last 5 years.
Monday 30 May A light training session in the morning, again at the local Bunnik 73 ground followed by free time in the afternoon.
First match played this evening against V.V. Utrecht. Sale came from behind twice to earn a 2 - 2 draw (half time 1 - 1), both Sale goals being scrored by Kieran Bown. Sale's Man of the Match was Martin Winstanley.
Pictures from 1st game against V.V. Utrecht
Tuesday 31 May A visit to FC Utrecht ground this morning, followed by a game of football cricket in the afternoon.
This evening, Sale played Geinoord, KO at 17.30 (UK Time) and unfortunately lost a close game 2 - 1 (Half Time 2 - 1). Martin Winstanley scored the Sale goal, and Will Crawford was the Sale Man of the Match. Pictures on their way down the satellite link!
Sale United and Geinoord teams pose for a picture just before kick-off
Teams pictured at post match meal in Geinoord's impressive club house
Wednesday 1st June A visit to the water park at Dunirell earlier today.
Tonights match was another close game, against Bunnik '73, but after having a goal disalllowed in the first minute Sale lost the game 2 - 0. Jake Walsh was the Sale Man of the Match particularly for a great second half display in the Sale goal.
Thursday 2nd June No football today but a vist to the Walibi World Theme park was enjoyed by all the boys.
On return from Walibi World the boys enjoyed a meal back at the Youth Hostel/ This was followed by entertainment provided by the boys at which the adults were the butt of some mickey-taking. A football and general knowledge quiz rounded off the night.
Friday 3rd June A visit to the Amsterdam Arena earlier today, home of Ajax Amsterdam and of the course the Dutch national side.
Tonight also saw the last game of the tour against DVSU. Unfortunately as a result of a mix up the team ended up playing against the home sides U15's, a little bit of a mis-match, and Sale lost the game 8-0. Man of the match for Sale was Eddie Kendall.
The magnificent Amsterdam Arena
As in previous years the squad had a last night Dinner at "de Biltse Hoek" restaurant, where souvenir medals were presented to each player in the squad.
Saturday 4th June Before leaving the Bunnik Youth Hostel, Peter van der Voort and his wife Thea, who arrange all the matches for the tour, came to say goodbye to the boys before they set off for Amsterdam. Peter always choses a 'Man of the Week' for the player he feels makes the most significant contribution to the week, not only on the football field but off it. He chose Lee Cooper and presented him with a FC Utrecht T-shirt and football.
After dropping off their bags at Schiphol Airport early in the morning, the squad took a short train ride in to Amsterdam to explore the city before their flight home this evening.
The boys and coaching staff arrived back at Manchester Airport safely tonight at around 9.00.
Summary
Our fifth tour to Holland was just as successful as our previous trips and travelling by air for the first time made the journey much less tiring for the boys. Out of the four games played, three were very closely contested matches which, on another day, could easily have seen victories for our boys. Our Holland Squad was made up of boys from all three of our Under 13 boys squads, which put us at a disadvantage to our opponents who have had at least one season playing together. It was unfortunate that a misunderstanding by the DVSU club meant that the last game was never going to be a fair contest. However, the boys can take immense credit for the way they competed in this last game, especially after such an energy draining week of activity. We have always said that this tour is about much more than football. For some boys it is their first holiday away from their parents and they experience a 24 hour a day interaction with their team-mates. They also have to take responsibility for things like keeping their dormitories tidy and in a self-catering environment have to carry out certain chores to keep everything running smoothly. Perhaps, most importantly of all, there is the opportunity for them to share their love of football and compete against boys from another European Country. Once again our squad of boys conducted themselves impeccably throughout the week and were a credit to Sale United. It rather endorses that we have some really good boys and girls at the Club.I would like to take this opportunity to thank the coaching staff, Andy Copping, Ian Bown and Steve Winstanley for their constant hard work throughout the week in ensuring the boys had a very enjoyable experience. Also Jan and Adrian Flanagan for their fifth year of administration and catering suppprt. Finally, Peter van der Voort and his wife Thea for ensuring that everything is in place for when we arrive in Utrecht, and their constant support during the week. Without all this voluntary adult help, the trip would not be possible.
