Highbury Tournament and Festival of Football 2011.

This year our annual tournament had a new home in the calendar. Due to the season appearing to extend more and more to the right each year, a decision was made to move our tournament back to the end of the month. Historically the Highbury tournament was the first in the circuit, but team attendance last year conflicted so badly with the end of season that this decision was made to allow more time for visitors to attend. Unbeknown to us, as we were planning the early stages of the event and fixing the date, that Trowbridge Town were planning their own tournament over the same weekend. Fortunatley that we managed to deconflict with Trowbridge Town, so that teams did not have to make a choice. We thank Trowbridge Town for this consideration.

As before, the main setup was done Friday evening with thanks to all those that came along to help. Saturday 06:30, the tea-urns were being turned on and the weekend was beginning.

In addition to the winners / runner-ups medals, Warminster Highbury also award a fair play trophy for the team that the referees judge to have supported the fair play aspects of the game best.  Referees note during the games and mark the teams at the end of each game.  This marking is then collated and the fair play award given to the team with the most marks in this area.  Fair play includes not only players, but also the managers, coaches and spectators.

Saturday 28th May.

We welcomed 8 teams in the Under 12's between 09:00 and 12:00.  The matches kicked off on time and the tournament had begun.  At the end of the session, the awards were as follows;

U12 Fair Play Award - Dilton Marsh Blue
U12 Runners-up - Steeple Ashton "A"
U12 Winners - Dilton Marsh Yellow.

The Under 10's kicked off around midday and bought with them some misty rain for the best part of their session.  At the end of the session, the awards were as follows;

U10 Fair Play Award -Warminster Highbury Stripes
U10 Runners-up - Westbury Lions
U10 Winners - FC Chippenham

The final age group of the day, the Under 8's had a slight dampness underfoot, but did not let that stop them from enthralling the crowd.  All players get a medal in this age group and the winners of the Fair Play award were Gillingham 'A'

Some highlights from Saturday 28th May.

The calm before the storm

09:00 till midday - Under 12's in action

U12 - Fair Play Winners - Dilton Marsh Yellows

U12 - Runners up - Steeple Ashton "A"

U12 - Winners - Dilton Marsh Yellows

Midday - Mid Afternoon - Under 10's in action

U10 - Runners Up - Westbury Lions

U10 - Winners -FC Chippenham

Afternoon - Under 8's in action

Under 8's Award Ceremony

 Sunday 29th May.

On the second day, we kicked off with the Under 11's at 09:00.  At the end of the day, the awards were as follows;

U11 Fair Play Award - Westbury Lions
U11 Runners-up - Westbury Green Army
U11 Winners - Frome Collegians

The Under 9's kicked off again around midday and after some excellent football including the final that was verging on epic, the awards were as follows;

U9 Fair Play Award - FC Chippenham
U9 Runners-up - Warminster Highbury Youth RED
U9 Winners - Frome Town AFC

The last session for the day, had the Under 7's playing all their matches on 2 pitches. Again, at the Highbury tournament, all players in this age group get a medal . In addition, the winners of the Fair Play award were Frome Town AFC

Some highlights from Sunday 29th May.

The 4 Highbury Under 11 tournament teams warm up together

Warminster Highbury Under 11 Stripes

Warminster Highbury Under 11 Knights

Warminster Highbury Under 11 Reds

Warminster Highbury Under 11 Blacks

09:00 till midday - Under 11's in action

U11 - Fair Play Winners - Westbury Lions

U11 - Runners up - Westbury Green Army

U11 - Winners - Frome Collegians

Midday till mid afternoon - Under 9's in action

U9 - Runners up - Warminster Highbury Reds

U9 - Winners - Frome Town AFC

Mid afternoon till evening - Under 7's in action

Under 7's Award Ceremony

In addition, we have more photos, primarily of the Under 8's and Under 11's at the links below
Under 8's
More Under 8's
Under 9's
Under 11's




Highbury Tournament 2011 has now gone, all the preparation has been worth it, the organisers all felt that it had been one of the best tournaments for a long time in all areas. As before, the Tournament sub-committee (Bill, Mike, George, Jim, Arlene and Michelle)  would like to thank the following, without whose help the tournament would not have been the success it was.

Helpers - A number of helpers worked tirelessly both days to ensure that the tournament ran smoothly and without problem. Jobs such as site preparation Friday evening, site closedown Sunday evening, tea-hut helpers, gate helpers, score keepers.  You all know who you are and without you we could not run the event. You deserve a major thank you and we hope you will be able to help next year also!

Visitors & Supporters - Everyone that came through the gate to watch, support or just join in. You provided the revenue to support the club. The club is 100% voluntary and we thank you for your support.

Sideshows / Attractions - We had a great selection of attractions this year to add value and entertainment to the event.  Bouncy castles, football matrix, Ice cream van, Warminster Lions for burgers and other hot foods and of course DE-Photos. In addition, we would not had half the event without Arlene and Michelle's Cake stall, Pauline, Holly, Sarah, Maxine, Sonia and Jo who kept us topped up on teas and coffees. Finally a special mention to Alana for spending 2 full days spraying hair for us in the entertainment tent with Natalie who did face painting, along with Elaine who manned the raffle ticket table for the full 2 days.

Others -  Thanks to Kingdown school for use of their car parking facilities and Shanleys for use of skip for rubbish over the 2 days.

Local Residents - With the Public Address system being turned on at 08:45 both days along with the numerous visitors that the tournament attracts (combined with the very limited parking available) we appreciate the inconvenience that you may have had over the two days. We thank you for putting up with our two day event again and hope that you were not inconvenienced at all. If you have any discussion issues you would like raised, please contact one of the tournament organisers (See About us page for contact details).

Very Special Mention - Must go to the grandad of one of our Under 11's (Taylor Kitley) who whilst watching the Under 11's play, spent a considerable amount of time walking around and collecting litter that had either been dropped or fell out of the bins. Without this kind of help and others, our event would not be half what it turned out to be.


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

£100	H Lane
Spa Voucher	Bradley MEad
Johhny Walker box set	Mrs Argux
Bowood House voucher	Elaine Tyson
Longleat Voucher	Mr Butler
Meal for 4 voucher for Town Fryer	Jean Adlam
Royal Navy Submarine Museum voucher	Mark Pomeroy
£10 DE Photo voucher	Eric Whitehouse
Chip and Dip Serving Plate	Jackie Wood
Champagne	Keith McAllister
Famous Grouse Whiskey	Paulk Marchant
Bottle Red Wine and Chocolates	Mrs Geeta
Teddy Bear and Sweets	James Napier
Body Butter gift set	A J Hobbo
Presentation Wine Glass #1	Godfrey Pike
Presentation Wine Glass #1	S Patterson
Selection of Sweets	Logan Drysdale
12 Months membership to WHYFC	Mrs Milburn
Highbury Junior Jacket	G Hill

DE Photo provided coverage of the Highbury and Warminster FC Tournament 2011.
The photos from the Tournament are now available for you to view online, to find the images simply click on the hyperlink below and this will take you directly to the appropriate folders. DE-Photos Highbury Tournament Photo Collection


And finally, some feedback already received from those that attended (More added as we receive it)

Jason Westbury Youth FC

Thanks very much for a great weekend of football. The tournament was well run and we look forward to next year

Parent - Mere Town

This has been a great tournament, everyone is so friendly and we have enjoyed it a lot more than the larger tournaments

Paul Bryant Westbury Youth U10's

Hi Bill. I would like to congratulate you and your tournament team on holding a well organised and structured tournament. We usually enter about 6 or 7 different tournaments each year and yours is of the highest quality and a good bench Mark for other clubs. Particularly impressed with your coaches who demonstrated sportsmanship and fair play towards other teams and so fully endorse their well earnt fair play award in the U10's We shall be returning next year if invited and wish all your teams and club well in the coming year. Again many thanks for all your hard work. The kids, parents and coaches from Westbury U10's really appreciate it.

Hazel Shepherd

Dear Bill, Just a note from a Highbury Park resident to say I hope you had a great tournament and all went well for you. I just want to say I appreciate your advising us when this is happening, but please be assured that the all the residents that I know are very happy about this and it is no inconvenience. I wasn’t even aware of any parking problems in the vicinity this year. My own son was a member of Highbury Youth from a young age and loved it (he’s 36 now!) and I think it is great that you all give your time for the boys. So well done to you and all who help. Best wishes,

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 memorable time and enjoyed the event.