Monday, April 2, 2012

  We spent the night at a hotel right next to Heathrow. We boarded the bus at 8:15 and arrived for check in at 9:00.  Our flight took off at noon, and we arrived safe and sound  in the US about 3pm. We didn't however arrive to our actual home until 8pm.  I am up this morning, drinking coffee out of my new London mug and already reflecting on our wonderful trip! (Please see our Facebook Page, for a more complete photo array of our trip)
     Special thanks to Mr. Barrie Love, who was the perfect host, and just might be the most patient man on the planet. Please contact him at EPL tours if your soccer club is interested in making a journey like this one. Sincere thanks to Mick Luckhurst for his help behind the scenes, as well as to Craig Carlson for his unbelievable photos and as his religious updating of the FB page. Most of all we would like to thank Billy Gallagher for his vision and tenacity in making this trip happen! Cheers!

Sunday, April 1

     Sunday, April 1, 2012 we slept in until 8:30 and prepared for a 10:30 departure. We were heading to our last friendly match in Staffordshire, England against a local football club, Lakeside FC.   We stopped at a rest stop for a light lunch to fuel the boys for the match. The rest stops in England, are big and beautiful  with a great food court.  We traveled through the quintessential English countryside, which was beautiful!  When we arrived at the gate, the club director met us and we followed him into the grounds. While traveling through the grounds we read the program their club had designed for the match. A PROGRAM!   It announced an "International Friendly" kick off at 1:45...and listed our boys and their boys by name and number! It is an important keepsake of our trip, and set the tone for the match.  When we arrived, we saw a brass band on the field, the American and British flag side by side, and a bounce house and play yard set up for the siblings. We as a team, were overwhelmed by the hospitality and graciousness of the other club and team parents.  Right before kickoff the teams, took the field, and the band played our National Anthem, and then the English National Anthem.  (I confess this really moved me) Both boys played a solid game of soccer/football and it was fun to watch. The other team plays every Sunday at 2 pm, and they had at least 75 spectators.  I watched and chatted with Jamie Cashmore's parents and they were warm and funny, as were all the parents from the other team.  When the match ended, we gave each Swan a SBSC Jersey. The boys immediately put them on and we took pictures of the two teams together.  We were then invited to their cub house, where they provided a wonderful spread for us of food and drink.  We presented the club director with a signed American Football, and took photos. He presented our team with a beautiful commemorative engraved trophy and we took more photos.  We mingled and soon ALL the boys were outside shooting soccer balls. Ellie Stokes provided guitar and singing... we had a great time singing along to the Beatles, Oasis etc. I chatted with Dawn Speck, Nikki Mullings and thoroughly enjoyed myself.  I am sincere when I say our team was overwhelmed by the English hospitality which was unrivaled. The Lakeside Swans, made programs, a party, had entertainment, presented us with a trophy but most of all extended their hand in friendship. It was our last event, and it was the perfect way to end our trip!
   Right before we were leaving, number 10, Tom Wood sat down near me and we had a lovely conversation. He told me his fave team was Aston Villa, he was 12 but already in high school, and he was curious if all our boys had Blackberrys.  He boarded our bus, and rode out to the gate with us, and we were tempted to bring him home with us. Tom Wood, please bring your team to the USA and well show you all around!

     After boarding the bus, we began our journey for London, to spend the night near the airport. We stopped at the White Lion for our last traditional English Pub dinner and Billy tied up the trip. I know the parent's agree with me when I say that I am grateful for his vision. He NEVER lost sight of making this trip happen. He knew, even though we didn't,  that we would cherish the memories.