Tournament and Festival of Football 2008.

The organisation and preparation for this years tournament began in earnest in December 2007. There is a vast amount of preparatory work needed to host an event like this, including arranging sponsors, Invitation letters to other teams, registration with Wiltshire FA, designing the programme, chasing payments from visiting teams, buying trophys, medals, food supplies, arranging staff to fulfill the various roles and booking the weather.
I think we can be fairly honest in promoting the fact that all of these tasks went to plan with the small exception of one (And if you were there on Sunday from around 14:00 you'll know what we mean).

On both days, the first teams were due to kick off at 09:30, meaning that the tournament staff were onsite from around 07:30 sorting out tents, warming up the tea boiler, frantically phoning the referees etc etc. The first visitors arrived about 08:15 (a good 30 minutes before the gate was set up!).

Saturday, as visitors start to come along

Play gets underway for the Under 12's

Lots of visitors and a great atmosphere.

Ellie from 3TRFM presented our trophys to the Under 12 Winners

All the teams from the Under 8's waiting patiently for their medals.

Highburys Under 8's pose with such dignity and poise.

And so Saturday came and went.  We hosted 36 teams over 3 age groups, had no major incidents (apart from a minor referee crisis, which was overcome by our very own Chaieman, Chris Finch stepping in at the last minute to referee for the day). 

Sunday, however was a different day altogether.  The day started as before (with the exception that we had a full compliment of referees).  The Under 7's enjoyed the best of the weather with most of their game time in the dry.  However, it soon became apparent looking skywards, that we were in for some rain and the first tranch came during the Under 7's presentation. The umbrellas were up, but the initial rain did not dampen spirits or really affect the games being played. 

At midday, the Under 9's kicked off.  To present the Under 9's trophys and also draw the raffle, we had arranged for Warminster's Paranormal Investigation Team (UK5 Paranormal) to help out.  UK5 Paranormal have recently recorded a television programme, which will be showing in the very near future and we were very honoured to have them present trophys and draw the raffle.

However...  They bought with them an almost historic like downpour, including thunder and lightning.  Everyone huddled under the tents, umbrellas were more prevelent than children playing football.  This was a shame, as most of the teams that had not won awards / trophys went early.  Ray and the team from UK5 Paranormal presented to trophys and drew the raffle, for which we thank them very much.

By now however, the pitch was waterlogged and cutting up badly, a re-jig of the games for the last age group (Under 11's) due to some late cancellations led to 2 pitches being used for all their games and the main pitch being kept as clear as it could for the final.

And so came the rain.

Andy briefs his Under 9's prior to their next game

Chris proudly shows off his colours

Baz and the UK5 Paranormal team in a gap between the downpours

Day after the tournament, the state of the ground is quite clear.

So, the event is over, the ground will need a week or so to get itself back together, but we had a great tournament and hope that you enjoyed it as much as we did in preparing it for you.

The following is a list of winners of the raffle prizes,

£100	Kevin Pierce	White : 3995
Mercedes Watch	Mrs S Slater	White: 2758
Centre Parcs Pass	Mr/Mrs Dakin	White: 4492
Signed Premiership Foootball	C Monger	White: 0682
Beauty Voucher	Horne	White: 199
FA Cup Final Tickets	Ellie Faulkner	Orange: 114
Limited David Beckham Print	Chris McGuckian	Orange: 61
Limited David Beckham Print	Keith Dix	Orange: 33
Limited David Beckham Print	Steve Reynolds	Orange: 16
Limited David Beckham Print	Wayne Melvin	Orange: 72
Limited David Beckham Print	Heather Ambrose	Orange: 60
Limited David Beckham Print	Dorothy	Orange: 38
Limited David Beckham Print	B Bilsden	Orange: 201

 
On behalf of Warminster Highbury Youth FC, we would like to thank all those that attended and supported our annual tournament and hope that you had an enjoyable time and enjoyed the event.