Netherfield Boys/Girls & Seniors Football Club.

SUNDAY 10 AUGUST 08

Event: FA Workforce Awards

Venue: Wembley Stadium.

Recipients: 

John Reed

&

Jamie Flynn.

 

The day started very early for the two recipients and there guests, squeezing in to suites or posh clothes that in my case have not seen the light of day for some time, Jamie & I had to catch a coach to Leicester at 7.15 am as rail works meant no direct train from Nottingham and of course, with it being a very special day, the coach never turned up!!! By 7.35 am the man from Midland Main line realized that 40 paying passengers were still waiting on the side of the road waiting for a coach that was never ordered so he ordered 10 Taxis and off we went.

Not all of the passengers were on the to Wembley, some had to catch the Euro Star connection and their train left Leicester at 8.20 am so with only 40 minuets before it left the Taxi driver put his foot right, right down!! The A46 was just a blurry vision as we hit speeds of over 100MPH, He made the journey in just 30 mins, and it took another 10 mins for our faces to reshape from the G Force.

Once we arrived at Wembley and got off the tube at Wembley Central, all of the passengers did the normal ritual, stood and stared down Wembley way at the awesome building that greets you, even though this was my second visit to this fantastic stadium, it still took our breath away. We only had 30 minuets or so to look around the perimeter of this huge building and of course to take a few snap shots especially one next to the late great Bobby Moor statue standing above our clubs heroes of the moment, our schedule was very tight so we got in line to be admitted in to the famous FA Club, It was like being a famous footballer, the most beautiful women the FA could find was there to meet us and at every turn or room there were even more of them, we were then escorted in to the Great Hall and it was a sight none of us had ever seen before!! Waiters & waitresses with trays full of wines & beer or some kind of soft drinks, and of course we had to be polite and except a few bottles and glasses even if it was just to lighten the load for the waiters!

As we were being shown to our table our eyes were everywhere? The tables were full of knives, folks & spoons there were 4 different types of glasses and more freebies than you could shake a stick at! When we were eventually able to close our mouths, John Reed poked me & said isn't that Geoff Hurst, I said where? Jamie said there, standing next to Ian Rush!!! There were stars in abundance, TV Cameras & presenter from Setanta, Matt Lorenzo the TV presenter was the guy who did all the introductions and interviews, Theo Walcott's Mum was at the Table next to ours, she was with other stars mum's who were promoting "Mums on the Ball" a new initiative for getting more mum's to qualify as coaches and run teams. Pat Jennings, Ray Wilkins, Trevor Brooking and some other oldish guy (Reedy knows who it is) were mingling around the room talking, have photo's taken and just introducing themselves to the minions like us, they all came on stage to talk about the 100^th Community Shield and all the new initiatives that the FA are introducing to make Grassroots football an even bigger success and it was topped off with a great speech from the Chairman of the FA who couldn't congratulate all the work grassroots coaches and clubs do for the future of the game.

Just as we started tucking in to the starter of Goats Cheese & other strange ingredients the time came when the 11 FA National Award winners were introduced and given their awards by Ian Rush. I have never felt so proud, not only 2 of our clubs coaches receiving National Awards but to have the experience of my own son being one of them was overwhelming. In front of hundreds of guests and stars the winners took center stage, the room was vibrating with applauds as photographers and cameramen bounded across the room to get every smile, handshake & pat on the back for these very special volunteers, they all then took pride of place at the great glass wall for more photos, the back drop was Wembley way and the view from the 3rd floor hospitality suite was amazing, there was thousands of people making there way up the paved concourse, I looked down to see them waving up at us or waving their fingers at us? It was a feeling that I personally will never forget.

I was so proud to hear people talking about our club! "two winners from the same club, they must be doing something special?" & "how big is your club to get 2 national winners". I was also asked if I was sleeping with the FA Panel to get 2 coaches receiving awards. How did she find out???

When we eventually returned to our table after a quick game on one of the 4 Wii game consoles to win 5 football for the club, we was served the main course of Fish & Chips and not the stuff you get from your local chippy, 4 chips, yes 4 chips, cut in a perfect shape and carefully stacked, the fish (no batter) was the brightest of white & a taste to die for, every time you emptied your glass or bottle another took it's place within seconds, it was luxury. I can't begin to describe the pudding...... I mean desert! It was so nice I pinched the one that was not eaten by the person next to me........ well I think he didn't want it? Once he nipped to the loo, I scoffed it & I told him the waiter took it away as he thought you didn't like it. Oh well, I had been very good so far.

After Lunch & more drinks we were escorted to our seats to watch the game, I think Man Utd & Portsmouth were playing???? The atmosphere was unbelievable, posh soft seats & a great view made it fantastic, Half time couldn't come quick enough for me, knowing that Jamie & John were about to walk out on to the hallowed turf of Wembley and to be congratulated by 85000 fans was again Jaw Dropping, they must have felt so proud as I was an extremely proud man.

A hand shake from Sir Trevor Brooking and hearing there names given out in front of all those people was the cherry on the cake for us all.

Once the game had ended and the penalties taken, we were taken back to the Great Hall were the room was cleaned and the tables replenished with more beer & wine, oh, and more food! Hot pies, cheeses from anywhere there are animals to produce it was scattered around the tables, both Jamie & I could not take anymore food or drink so at 6pm we set off to the tube station, back down Wembley way with thousands of cheering fans all singing all dancing and abusing each other in a very friendly way, it was all in good humor and the perfect end to a perfect day.

Finally I would like to congratulate John & Jamie; they deserved every single minute of this very, very special day..

 

JAMIE WITH THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

 

 JOHN WITH THE COMMUNITY SHIELD

 

JAMIE AND IAN RUSH RECEIVING HIS WORKFORCE AWARD - NATIONAL JUNIOR LEADER OF THE YEAR 2007/08

 

JOHN RECEIVING HIS WORKFORCE AWARD FROM IAN RUSH - NATIONAL COACH/ADMINISTRATOR

 

NOT TO BE OUTDONE - MARK AND JAMIE WITH THE COMMUNITY SHIELD AUGUST 10TH 2008

 

 

FOR ALL OTHER PHOTOS ON THE DAY SEE WEMBLEY PAGE!!