Duchess of Kent House Charity’s new 5-a-Side Football Tournament got off to a flying start with 12 teams from all over Berkshire, as well as London & Worcester playing on the all-weather pitches at Prospect Park, Reading on Saturday. Despite the very hot weather (the players got through 250 free bottles of water) a good-natured contest refereed by 6 professional referees took place at the same time as the annual Lions Fun Day.
Sponsored by Westcoast, all participants were given a medal and goody bag. The winners and runners received gold trophies not unlike the FIFA one, which will not be coming to England as we found out the following day! The winner, Hatchgate Inn of Burghfield also played an Ex-Reading Royals Team – and won! The specially engraved shield will have pride of place in the Hatchgate Inn until next year, when who knows....
With thanks to all who made this new event not only happen but be the success it was. Make a note of next year’s date; Saturday 25 June (TBC) when we expect the event to double to 24 teams.
Picture shows Alex Pearce, the Royal’s vice-captain with tournament winners, Hatchgate Inn.
