EASTER TOURNAMENT, ASSEN 2007.
Back Row, L to R: Craig Wilson, Jake Harkins, Scott Walker, IainJardine , Daniel Johns.
Centre Row, L to R: Ryan Melville, Andy Kennedy, Corrie King, Connor Pritchard, Willie Currie, Tom Merriman, Phil Stocks, Alistair Jardine, Connor Hyslop.
Front Row, L to R: Stephen Doyle, Thomas "T-Bone" Wilson, Jordan McGregor, Ross Purdie, Joseph McCafferty.
The Journey: FRIDAY 06 APRIL 2007.
GROUP ONE GROUP TWO
Thomas Wilson Tom Merriman
Ryan Melville Jake Harkins
Scott Walker Andy Kennedy
Joe McCafferty Alistair Jardine
Stephen Doyle Philip Stocks
Conor Pritchard Bernie Jardine
Barry McCafferty
Toni Howard
Daniel Johns
Connor Hyslop
Craig Wilson
William Currie
Corrie King
Jordan McGregor
Ross Purdie
Steve Johns
Iain Jardine (jnr.)
Iain Jardine (snr.)
Steve Purdie
After Group One had been picked up by coach, courtesy of Babcock Naval Services, and had departed Glasgow for Amsterdam, Group Two duly made their way to the airport by car, courtesy of David Kennedy and Karen Stocks.
The two groups succesfully negotiated Passport Control and Boarding and met, as arranged, at 2.05pm at the "Meeting Place" in Amsterdam Schiphol Airport.
All but two of the combined group then boarded the coach for a Tour of the Amsterdam Arena, home to Ajax, whilst Iain and Bernie made their way to Assen by train, so that they could book the group in for the Tournament on time.
Unfortunately, due to traffic delays, the coach from the Arena to Assen was sufficiently delayed that dinner was missed, so it was off to MACDONALDS!!
After dinner(?) we hurried to our Bungalow Park on the other side of town, Witterzommer. The party all agreed that the accommodation was excellent, and settled in for the evening.
The Amsterdam ArenA
Wittzommer Chalet No. 71
SATURDAY 07 APRIL 2007.
The next morning, after a light breakfast at Quintus College School, and having a few hours to kill before our first game at 1.30pm, we all went for a wander around Assen town centre. (Assen has a population of arround 45,000 making it approx. 2.5 times the size of Helensburgh) Saturday was Market Day so there was plenty to see, before we re-boarded the bus at noon to take us to the match venue for the day.
MATCH ONE...v ASSER BOYS (Holland)...ko 1.30PM. 2-0.
The team took a wee while to settle in the first game... I suspect a few of the lads were suffering from nerves... but once they got into their stride, they started to show just what they were capable of.Two goals in the first half from King & Melville put enough of a gap between the teams to win the game fairly comfortably.
MATCH TWO...v V.V.LEEUWARDEN (Holland)...ko 2.50PM 1-1.
As soon as the team took the field against Leeuwarden, it was apparent that this was going to be NO afternoon picnic in the sun for 'Caple! Our opposition kicked off in determined mood, and if we had not matched them in that, then I fear we may have been over-run. However, our lads showed that they would NOT be intimidated, and were rewarded for their tenacity when Jardine scored from the spot, after Corrie King had been felled in the box. Leeuwarden fought back tenaciously, and equalised, but despite some heavy challenges, 'Caple held on to a deserved share of the points.
MATCH THREE... v EBBERUP IF (Denmark)...ko 4.10PM 5-0.
Clearly, by the time of the third Group Game, 'Caple were still well fired up and were determined to make their next opponents suffer for what many of them had seen as the injustices of the previous game.'Caple raced into a four goal lead before half-time through goals from Doyle, McGregor, Jardine, and Hyslop.
Another Hyslop strike in the second half made it five at the finish, and thanks to Leeuwarden stumbling to a 2-1 defeat by Asser, 'Caple had earned themselves First spot in the group, and a place in Sunday's semi-final!
Saturday evening was spent relaxing at one of the Swimming Complexes in Assen, mindful of the games ahead on Sunday.
SUNDAY 08 APRIL 2007.
MATCH FOUR...v ACHILLES 1894 (Holland)...ko 11.55AM 0-1.
Our semi-final saw 'Caple paired with the runaway leaders of the local Regional League, and from the start is was obvious that they were going to have to be at their best to get anything from this tie. Apart from a scare in the early part of the first half, when one of their forwards screwed the ball off a post from a yard, with the 'keeper stranded, the lads were holding their own. The second half saw 'Caple's confidence rise, and they were unfortunate on a couple of occasions not to take the lead. However, with a Penalty Shoot-Out looming, from a corner, the ball broke loose in the 'Caple 18 Yard Box. For what seemed like an eternity, the ball just hovered around the Penalty Spot... First to react was wearing a RED jersey...Unfortunately 'Caple were wearing their BLACK change strip... and the ball crashed into the back of the net... leaving no time on the clock to pull it back. 'Caple would NOT contest the Final, but would have to settle for the 3rd / 4th place play-off!
MATCH FIVE...v L.T.C. (Holland)... ko 1.05PM 1-0.
The match against L.T.C. was for the Bronze Medal position, and NOT surprisingly, the 'Caple Squad were still feeling a little low, after their near miss in the Semi-Final. However, disappointment seemed to also be affecting the opposition, in what was a pretty much lacklustre affair, until mid-way through the first half when Walker came off the bench, and into the fray. This change reaped dividends, when during a more lively second half up he popped to score what proved to be the winner, and tho whilst not as a glorious afternoon as we all might have wished for, WAS glorious consolation none the less! Oh how we all cheered that strike, as if it were going to bring home The World Cup itself... Pride restored... all that was left was to CELEBRATE !!
Third Place Tournament Trophy
Sunday evening was spent at a local Chinese restaurant, in the company of all the 'Caple players, Team Management, Supporters, and new found friends in Edwin the Coach Driver, & Joshua and Paula our Tournament Guides.
After the meal and 'Caple's OWN Award Ceremony, it was off to "PARTYTOWN" for the Official Award Ceremony. This was a sparkling affair with a very good professional band, and a great evening was had by all, and a joint celebration with Dundee St Josephs' Under 16's (Scotland's only other representatives at the Tournament) who had cruelly lost their final on a Penalty Shoot-Out.
Iain & Stevie with some of the Dundee St. Josephs Supporters.
MONDAY 09 APRIL 2007... GOING HOME.
Joshua & Paula, our official Tournament Guides, and Founder Members of The Ardencaple Supporters Club... Holland Branch!
Edwin the Bus Driver joins the squad, with the trophy.
On Monday everyone got up reasonably early for an Accomodation Inspection... there was much to-ing and fro-ing of glasses and cups between the various bungalows, so that the Inventories were all spot-on... well... ALMOST spot-on!
The bus journey to the airport included a "drive-thru" tour of Amsterdam, courtesy of Edwin the driver, which was appreciated by all!
At the airport we said our goodbyes to Holland, Amsterdam, and of course Edwin, and made our way back to Glasgow, where we were met by the BNS Transport and dropped off at home without incident or delay.
Views of Amsterdam from the bus, on the way to Schiphol Airport.
Before I finish, I would just like to say a HUMUNGOUS thank-you is due to EVERYONE who made this Tour come together, from it's inception to the final bag being taken off the bus at the final drop-off point...BUT the biggest thank-you(s) of all go to Steve Johns & Willie Currie (snr.)without whose impossibly huge efforts, this tour to Holland would most certainly NOT have taken place.
You have given every one of the Management, Coaching Staff, Team and Supporters a weekend away that we shall all remember for a VERY long time!
THANK-YOU!
Iain & Bernie Jardine.
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