Day 1 - Wolfreton to Notre Dame de Bellecombe

The coach is loaded up and with all on board we leave Wolfreton promptly at midnight on our long journey south. The early hyper-activity of the lads gives way to sleep and we are soon at Grantham services. The lads find ways to spend money in a service station at three o’clock in the morning, whilst we pick up Clint and Tony, our drivers for the next nine days.

Presumably the coach was quiet after Grantham. Certainly enough for the author to sleep until Dover at dawn. Sam Fletcher had managed to sleep walk into Maidstone Services. And back out again and onto the coach!

The ferry crossing was smooth and then we set out on the long truck south; past Reims, Troyes and Geneva on the way to the French Alps nearly 1000 km away.

Many hours later, we pull off the main road and up into the mountains. Mont Blanc, glistening in the evening sunshine, dominates the valley ahead. We climb up though the ski resort of Megeve (over 40 people under the age of 16 recognise that it has a McDonalds) and pull into the village of Notre Dame de Bellacombe at 8.30pm.

A long day is almost at an end. Lamb for supper, a quick game of pool and to bed. The lads have dealt with a long day very well. It is a good job; there is another one to Lido tomorrow.

Day 2 - Notre Dame de Bellacombe to Lido Di Jesolo

We are up and moving early doors. Early progress on the road is halted when we are prevented from turning right by an awkwardly parked van. We only require its removal but by the time the driver is located the local Gendarmes have arrived and a furious row ensues as a parking ticket is issued. The local trader concerned has probably parked there every Saturday for decades and is far from happy about the outcome.

We have soon climbed up the pass to the Mont Blanc tunnel. 11.2 kilometres later we have passed in to Italy. We glide through Courmayeur where many of Wolfreton’s number have skied in years gone by and are on our way across Northern Italy. Past Turin, Milan, Brescia, Vicenza, Verona, Venice and finally into Lido about six in the evening.

The Hotel Sheila pool is first stop for most of the lads. Verdict: cold! But you soon get used to it.

Supper and gelati (ice-creams) are a good end to a long,hot day on the road. Water park tomorrow.

Day 3 - Aqualandia: The Water Park

Sven takes the England squad to La Manga in Spain for some sunshine and golf at the end of a long hard season, in order to prepare for upcoming games. For Wolfreton we seek out Aqualandia.

Aqualandia boasts several slides, including, apparently, the World’s tallest – The Spacemaker. Also included are the infamous Soap Football, water volleyball, floating sunbeds (for those under 12 stone in weight) and a championship crazy golf course.

The Spacemaker is the first port of call for most of the lads. It is at a 70 degree angle and you actually leave the slide by a few inches at the top (so I am informed – the author did not go on this slide on the grounds that he is a coward!)

Comments on this slide varied from, “wicked” – anon.

To

“I think I have just soiled myself!” – Will Mail.


Throughout the day countless slides become Wolfreton races with the combination of weight, gravity and dubiously fast starts seeing Mr Rowe successful in many.

The volleyball in the large pool was declared null and void after almost every player brought the game into disrepute when keeping score and Mr Bainbridge found that in his case there was absolutely no chance of his floating sun bed floating.

The Annual Staff Mini Golf Tournament saw its third winner in three years when Mr Ness overcome a shaky start to win by a massive six strokes, following the collapse of Mr Bainbridge and Mr Jackson on the inward stretch. However, unconfirmed reports (the reports came from Steve himself) suggest that Steve ‘Norm’ Ormston was about 3000 under par for 18 holes (including 19 holes in one!)

The initial disappointment that Soap Football would not run were dispelled late in the afternoon. Clearly our experience of two years before was not isolated as helmets now had to be worn, as Wolfreton’s finest took to the arena. Some creative queuing by our Italian friends caused some annoyance (Richard Bates) though the greater annoyance has to be that too many were trying to stay on their feet and score goals! This is not what Soap Football is all about!

All round this was a fine day. Training and games tomorrow!

Day 4 - Wolfreton 8s, 9s & 10s versus Mestre

We make an early start as we have training this morning before our first games this afternoon. It turns out we will be playing a rotating squad of players from the local town of Mestre.

Training allows Mr Jackson and Mr Rowe the chance to look over the players and for the lads to sharpen their skills. In Year 9 shooting practice the defenders finish better than the strikers (mmmm), with the exception of Richard Bates, whom appears to be trying to slot penalties Jonny Wilkinson style!

Year 8 Wolfreton 2 v 1 Mestre

JOE GIBSON’S delicate lob proved to be the winner for the Year 8s as Wolfreton’s Italy campaign got off to the perfect start.

Despite facing a larger and older squad of players than themselves, the Wolfreton Year 8s can take real credit for a display of real character and quality.

Chris Young and Sam Burrows’ commanding performances at the heart of the defence were the foundation for victory in stifling conditions. Ben Stephenson caught the eye at right back and Matthew Tait got hold of the midfield as the Year 8s first consolidated the game, before stretching the opposition.

Joe Gibson and Ben Rozenbroek linked well in attack and it was this partnership which led to the opening goal. Gibson’s shot was pushed behind, only for the resulting corner to cause panic in the Mestre defence. The ball was not cleared and it fell to Chris Green who lashed the ball home.

A defensive lapse allowed Mestre in for the equalizer as Wolfreton appeared to be wilting in the heat. A draw would have been hard on Wolfreton and Joe Gibson’s neat finish with defenders and the keeper closing in him delivered the result which the Year 8s so richly deserved.

Year 9 Wolfreton 3 v 1 Mestre

JOE THORNHAM’S blockbuster volley from thirty yards sealed what was ultimately a comfortable victory for Wolfreton’s Year 9s.

Following on from the impressive victory for the Year 8s, the year 9s were eager for a similar win and were able to take advantage of some mercifully cooler conditions.

The 9s dominated from the outset. Plummer and Thornham had control of midfield and the pace and intelligance of Osindeinde and Urry up front had Mestre under constant pressure.

The opener came from a defensive slip which allowed Osindeinde to sneak in and slot the ball past the advancing keeper.

Over eagerness, given Wolfreton’s dominance, led to a surprise equaliser for Mestre as Chris Cartlich’s well marshalled defence was left without cover.

For a spell it looked as though Mestre might escape with a draw as Wolfreton pressed for a winner but fell foul of Mestre’s offside trap.

Urry appeared to have been played in only to be forced wide. It seemed the chance had gone but Urry kept his head before sliding a pass to Matt Plummer who side stepped his man before coolly slotting the ball in the bottom corner.

Wolfreton never looked likely to let this lead slip and it was inevitable they would score again. In the last minute Mestre failed to clear the ball fully and a sweet volley from Thornham dipped over the keeper from 30 yards. The goal capped a confident performance from the Year 9s.

Year 10 Wolreton 3 v 0 Mestre

DANNY RICKETTS produced a devastating performance as Wolfreton’s Year 10s ran out easy winners over Mestre.

As early as the second minute Ricketts was in behind the efence before calmly placing the ball in the bottom corner.

The early goal rather knocked the stuffing out of the opposition and the secure handling of Andy Greer in net allied to a solid looking back line of Wilson, Mail, Mardaine, Mortimer and Jackson meant Wolfreton rarely looked in any trouble.

Metcalf and Russell controlled the engine room and served their wingers and front men well on a difficult surface, and it was only a matter of time before Wolfreton added to the score.

The second came from a sublime piece of skill from Ricketts on the left, as he flicked the ball past his man marker on the left, spun past him on the right and advanced before laying a ball across the six yard box which left Ormston the formality of an open goal.

It was a deserved goal for the hard running display from Ormston who lit up the game further by linking well with Ricketts who fired in his second. Ormston then hailed a taxi out on the left wing by standing on the ball with nobody near him!

The Year 10s could have added more goals late on but settled for a comprehensive three nil victory to finish off an excellent all round day.

Day 5 - Matchday 2

Year 8 Wolfreton 0 v 1 AC Gazeera Chirinago

DESPITE HAVING MUCH of the game Wolfreton’s Year 8 team slipped to a narrow defeat in their second match on tour.

The game remained finely balanced throughout with no side building up any dominance. This factor, allied with the poor surface, led to a scrappy game with very few clear chances.

Wolfreton’s best chances came from set pieces, delivered with typical accuracy from the left boot of Adam Foster. However, the Wolfreton front line did not test Chirinago’s keeper enough.

Andrew Brown performed very securely in goal on his tour debut and had no chance with the late winner, prodded into the bottom corner after Wolfreton had failed to clear.

Ultimately, Chirinago’s greater experience of the conditions and an advantage in physical presence was enough for them to secure victory.

Year 9 Wolfreton 3 v 1 AC Gazeera Chirinago

SHAUN URRY’S EARLY GOAL was good reward for a fine personal performance and also set the Year 9s on the way to another comfortable victory.

For the second time on tour Osindeinde’s pace seemed too much for the opposition and when he got clear early on the keeper could only push his shot out to the feet of Urry who made no mistake.

Shortly after it was two as Osindeinde was allowed too much space and time inside the box and his cool finish into the far corner left the keeper helpless. Despite showing greater commitment to the cause Chirinago had little answer for the pace and quality displayed by Wolfreton.

The third was a delight to see. It was worked out of defence, across midfield to the left and in to the channel where Osindeinde skinned the full back, cut into the box and laid a ball across the top of the box to Plummer who, having continued his run from midfield, lashed the ball into the keeper’s top left hand corner.

The only blot on the copybook was a late goal for the opposition in a game, which the Year 9s utterly dominated.

Year 10 Wolfreton 3 v 0 AC Gazeera Chirinago

A BEN RUSSELL STRIKE OF REAL QUALITY set the Year 10s on the way to a very comfortable victory. The game was barely two minutes old when Metcalfe and Ormston combined to send Russell clear. Ben showed commendable composure as the trailing defender made a desperate grab at his shirt, stayed on his feet and found the top corner from the edge of the area.

As in the Year 9s game the early goal was the key to dominating the opposition and once again the pace and skill of Ricketts and Ormston were too much for Chirinago’s defence.

A second was always on the cards and Ricketts was unlucky not to put his name on the score sheet as he beat three defenders on a run into the heart of the Italian defence only to see his shot parried. The ever-alert Ormston, however, was following in to put away the rebound.

It was likely that Ricketts would join in the scoring and soon after a similar run was rewarded with a shot that beat the keeper for pace and went under his body into the net.

The solid foundations of the defence and midfield were rarely tested and this allowed the forwards ample opportunity to grab the glory.

Day 6 - Mach day 3

Year 8 Wolfreton 0 v 1 FC Marcon

WOLFRETON’S YEAR 8 team slipped to a narrow defeat as the exertions of playing three games in stifling heat finally caught up with them.

There was little to pick between the teams in terms of quality but Marcon looked noticeably fresher and thus had the balance of the game.

With little service the Wolfreton forwards had scraps to feed on and although they forced Marcon’s keeper into a couple of saves it looked as though we would have difficulty scoring.

It was fitting that the best piece of quality in the game brought victory for Marcon. They won the ball in midfield, moved it down their right and two slick infield passes saw the centre forward in the clear where he made no mistake.

Joe Gibson nearly snatched an equaliser in the last minute but the Marcon keeper pushed his shot away smartly.

Year 9 Wolfreton 1 v 0 FC Marcon

DANNY HOLIDAY WAS THE HERO as his opportunist late strike maintained the Year 9s 100% record in a tight and scrappy affair.

A combination of heat, fatigue and neither side being able to take control of midfield led to a poor game. Both sides were happy to look for long balls down the middle and it was Marcon who managed it rather better.

Fortunately for the Wolfreton cause Chris Cartlich produced a mammoth performance at the heart of the defence ensuring that one goal would ultimately prove enough.

Wolfreton showed only glimpses of the quality that was a common part of their first two victories and as the game wore on with no score their shooting attempts became ever more desperate.

When it seemed that the game would end goalless Holiday managed to get clear on a hopeful ball down the middle. The bounce on the hard pitch seemed to have cost him the chance but he managed to control it superbly and his low shot skipped up and beat the keeper to his right.

It proved to be the last significant action. A highly satisfactory result if not performance.

Year 10 Wolfreton 2 v 0 FC Marcon

A BRACE FROM STEVE ORMSTON stole the golden boot from his strike partner Ricketts as the Year 10s rounded off an excellent week with another comfortable victory. To cap it all Andy Greer kept his third clean sheet in a row.

Although they could only trouble the scorer twice on this occasion the Year 10s were once again too good for their opposition.

The front two once again linked up for the opener as Ricketts outstripped Marcon down the left before squaring for Ormston who fired home a low drive.

Marcon proved to be a better physical match for the Year 10s and the back line of Mortimer, Jackson, Mardaine, Wilson, Mail and Greer found more work in keeping out the Italians.

Ormston’s second was a more straightforward affair as he chased down a long ball before finishing confidently to put the issue beyond doubt. It was only left for Wilson to save Greer’s blushes (and his record of not conceding) with a goal line clearing header with a few minutes left. Ormston returned to the action in search of his hat trick but it was not to be.

Day 7 - Lido di Jesolo to The San Siro, Milan to Notre Dame de Bellacombe

After a highly successful week of football we are back on the road again. We leave at 9 o’clock on the way to The San Siro in Milan; the imposing home of both Inter and AC Milan.

We arrive at 1.15pm and having lightened our pockets in the souvenir shop (AC Milan had won the Champions’ League the night before so the only staff working were Inter fans!) we set off on the tour.

The Stadium looks imposing from the outside and it is truly intimidating on the inside. It rises up on all sides so you can barely see the sky above. At 84 000 it is Italy’s largest and is actually named The Giuseppe Meazza Stadium. It was renamed in 1980 after Signore Meazza died. He had played for both sides and the fans unanimously voted for the change in name.

The pitch seems unusually small and the nets, fences and 10 feet deep moat ensure getting on the pitch is just about impossible.

We are shown into the changing rooms, which are of very poor quality! They are small and very simple (no sit down toilets!) However, they are being refurbished during the close season ( no doubt for David Beckham’s arrival!)

After The San Siro we head out on our way back to our French stop over in the Alps. Despite heavy rain, a nasty accident and a delay whilst we proved we were not political protestors heading for the G8 Conference (!) we reached the French border in good time.

We had to wait whilst our engine cooled down before we were allowed through The Mont Blanc Tunnel (the catastrophic fire of 1997 was caused by a crashed lorry whose engine had over heated and ignited.) We were on our way after 15 minutes and we were soon back in Notre Dame de Bellacombe.

Days 8 & 9 - Notre Dame de Beallcombe to Wolfreton School

We began the last leg of our journey with our annual awards ceremony in front of the spectacular backdrop of the snow-covered Alps.

Year 8 winners

· Best Player - Ben Stephenson

· Best Goal - Joe Gibson

· Best Attitude - Ben Rozenbroek

Year 9 winners

· Best player - Chris Cartlich

· Best Goal - Matthew Plummer

· Best Attitude - Joe Thornham

Year 10 winners

· Best player - Danny Ricketts

· Best Goal - Ben Russell

· Best Attitude – Scott Wilson

Following the awards we are back on the road. We manage to get ten minutes down to Megeve where we alight at McDonalds!

From here we make incredibly good time and arrive at Calais at 1.30am to be told we are too late for the 1.45am ferry and will have to wait until 2.45am one! We pull up for our long wait only to be called on to the 1.30 ferry at the last minute. Yes!!

A deserted ferry ensures that Bainbridge, Jackson, Ness and Rowe first in the queue for breakfast! We are going to make it back to Wolfreton for 8.00am. All present and correct. Amen to that!!