Despite torrential rain which threatened most matches, Winchester’s Friendship Football Tournament, over the weekend of 20/22 July was a great success.
The pitch, being played on for the first time since the club had to rectify some disastrous groundwork earlier in the close season, stood up to the weekend’s fixtures and the rain remarkably well. However, the weather did have an adverse effect on attendance and other than on the Sunday, when the sun managed to breakthrough, the crowds were disappointing.
The first game of the Tournament saw City face TS Giessen-Wieseck from Germany. (see match reports below)
Saturday saw City’s sponsors, Denplan, field their own works team against an International X1, a mixture of City Youth, French and German players. The match saw the German General Manager and City’s First and Reserve managers take the field with Andy Leader capping a cameo performance by scoring the final goal in a 6-1 win.
The main match on Friday evening saw TS Giessen-Wieseck play their French counterparts US Laon. Again the Germans lost 2-0 in a close fought match.
The teams, officials and Civic and F.A. dignatories enjoyed a barbecue and social evening after the match.
After some terrible weather Sunday saw the sunshine and spectators enjoyed a varied day of football. The morning started with a display of disabled football organised by Southampton Football Club when the youngsters enjoyed playing on a Full size football pitch.
Next to take the field were Winchester City Ladies and Southampton F.C.
Ladies and again supporters saw plenty of goals with the Saints Ladies winning 6-2.
The highlight of the Tournament proved to be the last match, Winchester City v US Laon, which in effect proved to be the cup final of the round-robin tournament with the French clinching the Friendship Trophy.
After the presentation ceremony the teams and officials enjoyed an end of tournament reception at the Winchester Royal Hotel hosted by Denplan before leaving for their various destinations on Monday.
It is hoped that the Tournament will be repeated in Germany in two years time.
