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Read reporter Jeff Sentell's story, "Local soccer team heading overseas," posted June 6, 2002.
Following is a list of the players from Coastal Georgia Soccer Association on the tour:
James Blunt
William Boyd
Jordan Curran
Zack Douglas
Bubba Edenfield
Zeke Gaines
Turner Green
Robin Harris
Joshua Ingram
Caley Kropp
Thomas Pedrick
Keegan Priest
Jonathan Shay
Jordan Shiver
Jerome Temple
Paul vanScherpenseel
Slideshow
View a slideshow of the Coastal Georgia Soccer Association team's trip to the U.K..
Click for the official Coastal Georgia Soccer Association Web site.
| | Dispatches from CGSA's Euro Select squad
Local soccer team travels to England and Wales and writes to let us know how the trip is going.
Savannah Morning News
A Coastal Georgia Soccer Association Select team comprised of its top 14-and-under players left June 6 for a 16-day, nine-game tour in England and Wales.
It should be a landmark in life for all 16 players, along with the Savannah-based CGSA. The overseas trip is the first of its kind for the association, a group of some 1,700 families geared toward the development of youth soccer in the Greater Savannah area.
The CGSA Euro Select squad flew into England and landed in Manchester, home of the world-renowned Manchester United club. After settling in, they'll play nine games against English and Welsh teams.
The following is a diary of sorts, sent to SavannahNOW.com, which chronicles their activities both on and off the field. The latest entries will be at the top.
Read the final wrap-up story of the soccer tour by reporter Jeff Sentell. Click here.
Day 15, Friday, June 21
The team toured Liverpool sites including Goodison Park, home of the English Premier Leagues Everton FC. Included in the tour was a visit to the club's Belle field training complex and a 1 1/2 hour training session led by the Everton FC coaches. The return trip to Wrexham was followed by packing and an end of the tour barbecue with the SportFirst Directors and coaches prior to the beginning of their return trip home with a departure from Wrexham early morning on the 22nd.
Day 14, Thursday, June 20
The team had training sessions with guest coaches from the Wrexham FC's pro-club Academy followed by a free afternoon prior to the last game of the tour. The CGSA team played the Wrexham League Champs in a very well played match. At halftime the locals led 1-0 over the Euro Team. With the squad still trailing with 7 minutes to go in the last game of the trip, the CGSA Euro Select squad coach, Dek Smith, made some player changes and the squad responded positively. Jordan Shiver scored the goal to even the match and Jerome Temple, who had just moved out of the goalie box on the substitution, scored the winner. What a way to end the last game of the tour.
The overall record for the team during the trip was 4-2-1. However, when the Euro Select Team from CGSA played in their own age group they were undefeated with a record of 3-0-1. We hope that we didn't do so well that the locals won't want us back!
Day 13, Wednesday, June 19
This was one of the big touring days. We were all taken to the world famous stadium of Manchester United (seating over 68,000 fans). We visited the changing room where David Beckham gets ready to play for his club. We also visited the museum of Manchester United and walked around their many trophy rooms. We had a team photo in the famous dugout - one for the website! We then moved on to Trafford Centre - the largest mall in the UK. You know the lads just had a blast - it reminded them of home. The team is full of excitement and looking forward to watching England vs. Brazil and USA vs. Germany.
Day 12, Tuesday, June 18
Rest day. The whole team decided to go on a train to Manchester. All the players caught the train from Wrexham to Chester where we met with Coach Steve. This was Steve's 21st birthday so all the guys sang Happy Birthday on the platform of Chester station. The team had a blast walking around the city of Manchester. Five and a half million residents in this very exciting city centre. The guys had a blast - over 20 different sports shops were visited. Now we all know every style and price of every piece of soccer merchandise. We are all soccer specialists!
Day 11, Monday, June 17
Started the day with a light training session (as we had a game at Conway Junior F.C. later in the day). The day was filled with all kinds of events. The parents went down to the shops collecting their much awaited photos. Everone was on a high that both England and the USA had passed through to the final eight.
In the evening, we now reached game 6 - a hard game against a team that had just finished a tour of Ireland unbeaten. The first half was full of excitement, but no goals were scored. The Euro-select squad stepped up a gear as Jordan Shiver scored the only and winning goal of the game.
Goal tally so far:
William Boyd - 1
Jordan Shiver - 4
Zach Douglas - 3
Josh Ingram - 2
Everything looking good so far!
Day 7, Thursday, June 13
Our best, yet toughest date of the tour. It started with a castle tour in the beautiful seaside town of Conwy. They started with traditional fish and chips for lunch anda walk along the medieval castle walls and guard tours, built by King Edward the First in 1283. One of the boys' funniest moments was when a seagull swooped down to steal Zek's ice cream completely away -- cone and all! (you thought everything was bigger in America, you should see these seagulls!) Onto the game...we strolled along the seafront to their stadium. We knew this was going to be our toughest game of the tour. Unfortunatly, due to a miscommunication on their side, we were faced to play a U-15 International squad -- many who have already signed pro contracts. Our boys knew before the game that they had an option to play or not to play before the game due to the misunderstanding. Our courageous team decided to play the game. We lost heavily, 8-0, but every player had a blast having an opportunity to play against international players. Bring on Manchester United next!
The North Wales Coast Football Association invited us all in to their clubhouse for speeches and a meal. They thanked our courageous boys and sincerely apologized for the misunderstanding and applauded our players on their attitude to the game. They also invited us to return for future games on both sides of the Atlantic. The lads slept soundly last night!
Day 6, Wednesday, June 12
The players enjoyed a well deserved rest day in Chester, a 2000 year-old Roman walled city. They strolled around the Roman city walls before venturing into their favorite past time, the soccer shops in Chester. Of course, British Burger King for lunch. A great day off full of culture and enjoyment.
First report, sent Monday, June 10
There is exciting news from Wrexham via Coach Dek.
The important information is that all the boys are well. They have adjusted to the time change and are comfortable in there digs. They are eating well and getting good rest times. Today they travelled to Llangollen, where it was reported that Turner Green lost his favorite UGA hat in the rapids of the River Dee! They are all thrilled with their SportFirst Coach -- Coach Paul.
Now the very IMPORTANT NEWS: COASTAL GEORGIA SOCCER ASSOCIATION EURO SELECT SQUAD WON ITS FIRST GAME THIS AFTERNOON AGAINST ARHOSFA JFC 3-0!
The first goal came at minute 22 by William Boyd. Josh Ingram scored the 2nd goal and Zach Douglas scored the 3rd goal
Despite earlier wet weather, at game time the sun was shining and the team had a great performance. They were all very excited to get their first win on the all weather foreign turf.
Tomorrow they will train a bit then head for seaside Rhyl for touring, shopping, etc. Then they play another game at the Ryhl FC at 5:00.
Stay tuned for more information.
From Bubba: BUBBA RULES. From Dek: BUBBA DROOLS!
The TEAM | | |
