SHOREHAM Football Club became the first British club to compete in the René Dolé Challenge Cup in Envermeu, France, at the weekend.
The cup is in its fifth year and the tournament was named after Dole, who had worked with Envermeu for more than 40 years, when he died.
For the first time in Envermeu’s history, a British club took centre stage not only at the club but the tournament.
With more than 40 French teams from all over the region competing, it was going to be a tough challenge for the Shoreham teams. Envermeu had flags and banners showing their support and appreciation to Shoreham for taking four teams to their historic tournament.
Shoreham’s under-nine team were in action first. They won all five matches without conceding a goal, before they also won their semi-final.
In the final, Shoreham led 4-0 at half-time, before lifting the title after a 5-3 victory.
The Shoreham team was Blu Abbot, Harvey Wenham, Se Jeffery, Jakob Mienert, Joshua Nandrha, Kian Nandrha and Freddie Wilkinson. David N’Cho was their coach.
Mussels’ under-ten side played a year up in the under-11 tournament, along with the club’s under-11 team.
In a competitive section, both teams won their third/fourth play-off games.
The under-ten team, who were coached by John Rhodie, was Bertie Frost, Luke Mckeown, Fionn Wellings, Henry Day, Louie Sweetman, William Crisp, Callum Rhodie, Brad Swayne and Harrison Wedge.
Issi Saumtally and Sas Parsad coached Mussels’ under-11 team, which was Richard Willams, Joseph Collins, Kyle King, Max Prodger, Rowan Harris, Alfie Pate, Cameron Bell, Ben Brooker, Theo Heal and Marley Saumtally.
Shoreham’s under-12s had two teams in action in the under-13 category, which was another strong group as they played a year up.
The first Shoreham team won the third/fourth play-off after a penalty shoot-out win. Keeper Luke Hendy saved a spot-kick, before Alfie Loversidge scored the winning penalty. During the tournament, Shay Tobin scored direct from a corner.
The second Shoreham side reached the semi-finals, where they lost on penalties. Bradley Beal scored four goals, Luca Slaney netted the goal of the tournament and Finlay Mcdermott and Jack Gardner produced great performances in exceptional team showings.
The players representing the under-12 teams were Caius Phillipo, Luca Slaney, Bradley Beal, Luke Petken, Jake Boyle, Finley Wallace, Alfie Loversidge, Luke Hendy, Cameron Davis, Jule Shad, Dylan Piggot, Lucas Birch, Ted Tovey, Jack Gardner, Finlay Mcdermott and Shay Tobin.
Stuart Slaney and Gary Beal were the side’s coaches.
Shoreham & Adur will be expanding their European tournaments next year with three trips, to Spain, Holland and France.