Tournament director's reflections
ERREA South West Challenge Cup tournament director Mike Bradshaw gave
thisisnorthdevon.co.uk
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WORTHY WINNERS: Luton Town.
his reflections on the 2009 event:
PRIDE
● Pride in the five host clubs, they all brought something different to the tournament but what was common to all was the level of commitment and determination not to let us or themselves down and to do their very best for the club and the region.
I want to thank each and every chairman and their respective backroom staff. They worked so hard and I really do appreciate it.
We are meeting shortly to determine the club which will receive our small but prestigious award to mark the club that provided the best and most-improved ground, hospitality and supporter facilities.
RELIEF
● Thanks to meticulous planning and top-line security/stewarding, we had not one incident throughout the games played.
● Nine teams were safely transported to training pitches and match venues without incident.
● Nine teams arrived safely, nine teams played safely, nine teams returned home safely.
ADMIRATION
● For the entire tournament executive who planned, developed and implemented the tournament strategy.
● From Errea to the Devon FA, right across the team, there was not a weak link. The man hours they devoted were awesome and I thank them all.
HIGHLIGHTS
● The quality of team training and preparation by the visiting clubs.
● The genuine quality of hospitality laid on by host clubs.
● The humour and humility of Ian Holloway, approachable and caring for his staff and football supporters.
● The turnout of all 12 clubs at the Devon FA lunch on the Wednesday and the compliments on the organisation of the tournament.
● The top-flight performance of Brend Hotels staff and management, accommodating, feeding and hosting 252 players and club staff. Mountains of food, vast quantities of food boxes, laundry and kit cleaning — never a moan, always a smile.
● Coach drivers on time every time. Sunshine or showers, they were fantastic ambassadors for North Devon and this year we never lost a team between training or match venues.
LOWLIGHTS
● The cynical 23rd-hour ultimatum presented by Grimsby Town.
● The region's failure to provide sufficient or quality training pitches and facilities for our guests to prepare teams.
● A phone call informing me that swine flu was suspected in a Luton Town player who subsequently was passed fit and clear of any infection.
● The loss of two matches, despite Herculean efforts to stage or relocate both games, owing to a deluge of rain in sunny North Devon.
● Hearing of a complaint that £6 was far too much to watch a semi-final of the quality served up by Exeter City and Luton Town.
AT THE JOURNEY'S END
● We have made many new friends among the visiting clubs.
● Eight of the visiting clubs were an absolute delight to host.
● We staged a final and produced a worthy winner. We salute and congratulate Luton Town, worthy winners and great ambassadors for the sport.
WHAT WOULD WE DO DIFFERENT NEXT TIME?
● Build a canopy over Bideford AFC to avoid any cancellations!
● Build a bigger hotel with 200 beds!
● Attract more volunteers — but those we had were outstanding.
● Get local schools more involved with the tournament.
● Not invite a certain club!
Comments
by simon gooding, north devon
Thursday, July 23 2009, 7:56AM
“Id just like to thank Ken Bradshaw and crew for putting on the Challenge cup in North Devon and after reading the Journal today I for one am glad that plans for next year Challenge Cup is under way and I for one cant wait for next years tournament, Both Bideford and Appledore fc put in great effort and hosted their games excellently especially the wycombe wanders game at bideford and the Grimsby v Rushden game at Appledore which was a fantastic game. The pitches at Bideford and Appledore were in excellent shape hats off to all the ground staff involved. All in all it was an excellent tournament, shame though about how it ended and I do have slight concerns about some saftey aspects but seeing as the Challenge Cup is only in its second year you do expect a few teething troubles and Im sure all those involed are aware of such issues and will have ironed them out before next years excellent Challenge Cup.. As for the complaints about the 6 quid being asked for the semi-finals are you mad? 6 quid to see the excellent game between Rushden v Grimsby was excellent value for money! But I did feel a bit wobbley about the 8 quid asked for the final...but I wouldnt have grumbled if it had been the real final but you cant blame Ken Bradshaw for that, and for all those who blamed Bideford for the ticket price IT WASNT BIDDY THAT SET THE PRICE so leave Roy and Biddy alone! Anyway Roll on next year! Again as a general fan of all football I thank all those involved for the Challenge Cup.”