OSM 75 retain the Cup !
OSM keep the cup after a fantastic weekend of fun with our friends from Holland!
It was OSM who returned to Holland with the cup this year after a wet but exciting Easter Sunday tournament. Although everyone was here for the football, year on year, the friendships and social interaction of the exchange visit are always the real winners of these Easter events.
This was the 27th year, with the 28th tournament taking place as OSM brought their D1 & D2 sides over to face the TYFC Under 13's and Under 12's Youth & Rangers squads. Host families were arranged for all the 28 Dutch players, whilst over 50 travelling Dutch adults also came over to enjoy England.
The coach from Holland arrived on the Friday afternoon, where following a meet & greet at 44Two all the players went back to the homes of the hosting families for the evening.
The Saturday saw all the players (and some not very agile adults!) go for a fantastic day out playing paintball at Mayhem Southeast. This was followed by an entertaining social evening at Star Meadow with Genie Discs Disco & Karaoke.
The tournament followed on a wet Easter Sunday at Playfootball, however the weather didn't dampen the spirits of the players and the adults. With the main event, the OSM/TYFC 11-a-side tournament, taking place on the Howard School fields, we also had many of our TYFC teams having mini tournaments amongst themselves on the 3G.
The tournament itself had not just TYFC & OSM taking part but also Pegasus, Horsted and Strood 87. In the Under 13's it was OSM who won the age group with ease, whilst the Dutch were also victorious in the Under 12's as both teams got 100% records without conceding a single goal between them! Everyone agreed the experience of playing these fantastic teams though was an education.
Another fun filled night was had as everyone met for one final time at the Cup Presentation evening at 44Two and after some sleepy goodbyes on Monday morning, we waved goodbye to all our Dutch friends, looking forward to visiting Utrecht in 2015.
The Club would like to thank everyone who helped put on a magnificent weekend from all the hosts to the facilities and the sponsors and our helpers - without you this tradition could not continue.
What a fantastic weekend that will stay with the players forever.......
OSM website report + photos:-
TYFC v OSM - 2014
Photos by Rob McCormick:-