A fine body of men from Broadbridge Heath Football Club Veterans team (Over 35) left Gatwick airport in May 1991 (see attached photo) to travel all the way to Pennsylvania, USA to represent the club in two football matches against Bethlehem Old-Timers, an Over 30 side who had recently won an International tournament between two veteran sides from the US and two from Canada.

In the first match the home side, who prided themselves in running three Over 30 sides, didn’t want to embarrass their visitors too much by giving us a whopping so they fielded a mixed side from all three of their teams, and in temperatures exceeding 90 degrees and a 90 degree humidity the quality of the Heath side shone through with a 5-0 score line, Andy Crisp scoring twice with further goals from Russell Penticost, John Jordan (penalty) and Pete Burrows.

After that mauling the Old-Timers, who had never lost two matches in succession, fielded their entire “A” Team for the second match just 2-days later but despite being a much closer game, the experience and superior fitness of the Heath players (always first to the bar) shone through, as goals from Andy Crisp and Russell Penticost gave Heath a 2-1 win to lift the trophy.

After a late night celebrating victory, in our host’s clubhouse, the team headed off for an unforgettable night in The Big Apple before returning home with the silverware and memories that will last a lifetime.

R.I.P. Russell and Doug no longer with us but never forgotten.