When was the last time that Tonbridge Sportsground was the venue for an event that attracted over 2500 competitors? Last weekend it was and it was absolutely fantastic.

What can I say other than thank you so much to Tonbridge & Malling Borough Council for giving TJFC permission to stage, what has now become the largest event of its kind in the country, our Annual Six-a-Side Football Fiesta on The Sportsground. The onset of foot and mouth restrictions could have deemed the event cancelled as it had been scheduled to be held at Hadlow College.

Well aware that the invasion of hundreds of vehicles each day would have severely challenged the already stretched parking facilities in the town TJFC funded a park and ride service between West Kent College and The Sportsground which was well used and much appreciated by the visitors and, I am sure, the local residents alike.

On both days, which were blessed with dry weather, from 9 am to 6 pm The Sportsground was awash with enthusiasm from not only the competitors but also on the touchlines of the 15 pitches in constant use.

Tunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital very generously sponsored the event, this year and several local companies supported the event with goods and equipment. In addition, raffle prizes of considerable value were donated by several tonbridge-based businesses. TJFC wish to express their sincere appreciation to all these people for the level of support given and were delighted to be able to promote tonbridge businesses through the event.

It cannot go without saying that the success of the event is solely due to the army of volunteers, families and friends of our members, who gave up their weekend to man the event and the 30 referees who officiated - seven of whom refereed all weekend and two of those slept on site overnight in order to do so! Our greatest volume of appreciation must go to these wonderful people.

The welfare of the players and spectators alike was catered for by a 'chill-out centre' provided by St. Philips Church, Rob Price and a team of volunteers from Tonbridge St. John Ambulance with a retained doctor. Although the number of casualties over the weekend was much lower than previously, sadly the cases needing hospital treatment was the highest ever. Maybe the lack of play due to the wet winter resulted in some over enthusiasm. Representatives from the Tunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital offered several 'healthy body' checks and gave away both childrens and adult info. pack.s

It was the enthusiasm of everyone involved in, and in support of, this years event that TJFC feel resulted in their most successful annual six-a-side fiesta yet.

Thank you so much Tonbridge.

Mrs. Liz Spicer, Tonbridge Junior Football Club

Report and Results of Tonbridge Junior FC's Six-a-Side Football Fiesta

Last weekend nearly 300 teams travelled into Tonbridge from clubs based in Bedfordshire & Berkshire, Buckinghamshire, Essex, Hampshire, Kent, London, Surrey and Sussex to participate in Tonbridge Junior Football Club's eighth Annual Six-a-Side Football Fiesta, sponsored by The Tunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital, held on The Racecourse Sportsground. Each half-day tournament saw teams playing six games before the knock-out process resulted in runners-up and winners in each age-group of Under 7 to Under 16 boys and girls, Over 35 Men and Ladies. Losing quarter final and semi final teams were presented with a plaque per team. The Runners-Up were presented with silver medals and winners gold medals, a cup, a football and a manager's medal. The presentations were made by Douglas Watson, Hospital Manager of The Tunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital, Cllr. Joyce Oxley, Mayor of Tonbridge & Malling, and Reg Spicer, Chairman of Tonbridge Junior Football Club.

Results:

WINNERS - 2001 RUNNERS-UP 2000 winners
Under 7s The Tunbridge Wells Nuffield Hospital Cup Crayford Arrows
Richard Hamill, Jack Collins, Adam Gemili, Eaman Daly, Max Baker, Toby Alabi, Coy Hardy, Frank Sweeny, Manager Bernie Hamill

Darenth Rangers Larkfield Boys
Under 8s Millsons Vending Cup Larkfield Boys (having successfully defended the Cup, they became the eighth Team in the history of the Fiesta who get to keep it)
Sam Hasler, Nathan Gilbert, Ryan Cooper, Alex Wellbelove, Sam Butterworth, Sean Johnson, Jordan Roberts, Joe Pigott, Manager Paul Johnson.

Kennington St Leonards FC Youth
Under 9s St. John Ambulance Cup BN Wanderers:
Jamie Crellin, Charlie Tomsett, Jake Christian, Mylles Goatley, Chris Evans, Josh Casser, Tom Niner, Manager Darryll Christian,

Polegate Grasshoppers South Park Colts
Under 10s Aztec Materials Handling Cup Old Coulsdon Colts:
Daniel Sellman, Joe McLoughlin, Matt Hemstead, Jack Cooper, Sonni James, Nichael Hunte, Carl Hills, Tom Meadows, Paul Alger, Manager Bob Hemstead,

Lewisham Youth Redbridge United
Under 11s Christopher Hull Sports Cup Eversley Rangers
Marc Dowdeswell, Jake Harris, Marc Woods, Dean Lewsey, Charles Gans-Lartey, James Dunn, Liam Connolly, Jack McCarthy, Manager Bob Dowdeswell

Old Coulsdon Colts Darenth Rangers
Under 12s West Kent College Cup Vinters Park
Liam Wood, Will King, Sam Freeman, Dale Nott, Steve Elliott, Anthony Bodle, James Bodle, Matt Griffin, Manager Peter Nott,

Bearsted Tonbridge & Sevenoaks
Under 13s Mercury FM Cup Selsdon Junior
Simon Cooper, Tom Costelo, Jordan Kiffin, Tom Wild, Danny Nichols, Tom Flin, Michael Diplock, Simon Springer, Jamie King, Manager Lee Cooper,

Purley Panthers Old Coulsdon Jets
Under 14s Castle Cars Cup Old Coulsdon Jets (having successfully defended the Cup, they became the seventh Team in the history of the Fiesta who get to keep it)
Mark Howard, Joe Gierys, James Tyler, John Parton, Lee Martin, Gregg Weatherill, Jack Ayling, Jeremy Williams, Manager Steve Weatherill,

Sutton United Croydon FC
Under 15s Anvil Plant Hire Cup Croydon (having successfully defended the Cup, they became the ninth Team in the history of the Fiesta who get to keep it)
Daniel Snadden, Tom Leather, Daniel Michael, John Robbins, Sean Perry, Daniel Newman, Alex Spinks, Tom Casey, Manager Ray Snadden

Lakeside BN Wanderers
Under 16s The POWRR 'The Tigers' Cup Maidstone Monarchs
Lawrence Jeffery, Mark Bennett, Ash Russell, Joe Sutton, Brendan Spooner, Sam Dixon, Mike Hall, Danny Simmonds, Manager Steve Bennett

Vinters Park Tonbridge Angels Youth
Over 35s J & B Motor Spares Cup Tonbridge Rangers
Jon Marsh, Chris Barlett, Stephen Seymour, Steve Allan, Mark Poulton, Paul Brazil, Andy Comben, Alan Rogers, Manager Albert Seymour

Groombridge Croydon FC
Ladies Camera Gear Cup Malling Town Ladies
Lisa Prince, D. Pilcher, S. Clarke, C. Taylor, C. Davis, R. Ingram, Manager M. Hall

Malling City Ladies Maidstone United
Exhibition matches between Chelsea FC Coaches and Mercury FM helped by 'The Tigers', with flagrant disregard for the rules but nevertheless very hard fought, were played each lunchtime.

Special Boxed Medals were presented to seven Referees for outstanding stamina - they refereed for the entire weekend!

Antony Allen (3rd time), Steve Clayton, Damon Colvin (4th time), Micky Delves (4th time), Graeme Ions, Denis Milward and Derek Williams