Saturday 19th July saw the Greenwich Borough team leave for their pre-season tour of Cyprus. Despite a delayed flight the team arrived in high spirits at Larnaca Airport just after midnight to be met by staff from DGS Marine, the club's sponsor. After a short coach journey the tour party arrived at the Amathus Beach Hotel in Limassol, which is reputed to be the best hotel on the island, at one o'clock in the morning.

On Sunday morning the team had an extremely intense training session at the Pareklishia Stadium and after a lunch back at the hotel spent the afternoon relaxing, many of them in the pool. The evening saw another high intensity workout in the hotel's gymnasium.

For more photos of the trip see the album in the photo gallery elsewhere on this site.

Day Two

Another beautiful day in Cyprus dawned with the squad facing some different challenges as part of the training camp. The morning session took the form of a competition as the squad was divided up into teams and a series of events took place. There was Beach Volleyball (with a football twist), Table Tennis, and a combination of a swim and shuttle runs against the clock.

The players enjoyed a really competitive session on the banks of the Meditteranean Sea watched closely by the management team and the bevvy of sunbathing beauties lying nearby ogling the bronzed bodies of the Borough players.

The Club's President watched the session and the whole tour party particularly enjoyed the sight of the Club's Chairman taking a full and active part in all the activities.....especially the swimming and shuttle run speed test....it showed just how important the bonding aspect of the trip is.

Photos of the morning session in the latest photo gallery

Day Three

Some light training in the gym for the lads and the chance for all members of the party to enjoy the delights of the complex at the Amanthus Beach Hotel. With the hotel boasting its own beaches there was also the chance to swim in the warm waters of the Med.

The evening saw the first match of the tour. The evening kick off meant that the heat of the day had gone when the players set foot on the pitch at the Parakelisia Stadium. The supporters in the tour party and the staff from DGS Marine, the club sponsors, saw the team put in a very professional performance against some determined opposition but the gulf in class showed as Borough romped through the match scoring eleven goals without reply. The goals were shared around the team and everyone returned to the hotel in high spirits.

Day Four (Wednesday)

Yet again some light work for the players after their success of the night before and then the whole party enjoyed a catamaran cruise in the afternoon that included mooring off the beach for a swim and then a late lunch. The catamaran moored within sight of RAF Akrotiri and could see some of the planes taking off and landing.

Day Five - Thursday

Whilst the team undertook some light training the rest of the day the party all relaxed and enjoyed themselves in their own way. Personally I was treated to a tour of part of the island by one of the hotel staff and her partner on their day off from their respective jobs. We visited various places including the main dam and reservoir in this part of the island, the archaeological site at Kourion with the extensive ruins, including some superb mosaics and the theatre that seats 3,000 people - which still hosts regular theatrical performances to this day.

The highlight of my trip though was to visit a couple of villages, see a wine press and an olive oil press and then be treated to lunch at the house of my guide's grandfather - with genuine homemade Cypriot cuisine. This just demonstrated the warm and extremely friendly welcome we have all received throughout our time on this beautiful island.

The evening saw the team play their second match as they took on AEL Limassol. This was a very hard fought match and for the first twenty minutes the Cypriot side were just on top until Lewis Wood ran on to a defence splitting pass and calmly lobbed the keeper to put Borough into the lead. A few minutes later Borough were awarded a penalty and although the keeper made a tremendous save to keep out Gary Alexander's spot-kick this incident seemed to drain the confidence from AEL as Borough took charge of the game and never relinquished it. Paul Vines then struck twice in three minutes (35 & 38) to put Borough into a comfortable 3-0 lead at half-time.

The second half started with Borough well in control and Paul Vines added two more goals (49 & 56) before Borough made five changes to give the rest of the squad a run out. Nico James then added a sixth goal as Greenwich eased to victory in a match that at times was an extremely feisty affair. The crowd of 128, particularly the large contingent supporting Greenwich Borough, gave the team a great reception at the end of the match.

Day Six - Friday

The main events during the day saw two groups head off in different directions. A group bursting to sample the culture of the island set out for Nicosia to see the sights, soak up the atmosphere of the old town and to enjoy some shopping. The braver members of this group sampled the delights of the Turkish occupied part of Nicosia by crossing the green line - indeed their return was delayed by a group in front of them having some of their purchases confiscated by customs.

A group of players and management spent the afternoon locking horns on the golf course - the result of the competition would decide the time of the curfew for all at the end of the evening so this was an event of significant importance.

The players were able to celebrate their victory on the golf course with an extension to their curfew on the last night in Cyprus - which meant that they made the most of the chance to visit the local night club!!

Last Day - Saturday

After their late night curfew the players faced their last training session of the trip at midday. After that it was relaxing at the hotel prior to a 6pm departure. However the flight was delayed and instead of getting back to Princes Park just after two in the morning it was 7:30 before the weary travellers got back to Dartford.

A highly successful and thoroughly enjoyable trip for all concerned. Now the squad can't wait for the serious business of the season to start. Everyone is confident that this will be a successful season for the club.