Team: James O’Toole (GK), Will Hodgson, Joey Smith, Dexter Frodsham, Harry McKenna, Jacob Higgins, Josh Higgins, Bella Massey, James O'Toole, James Atherton, Alfred Belfrage, Thomas Wong, Freddie Guttridge, Jacob Davies, Oscar Buch-Platt, Seb Gardner

After many months of planning and fundraising, Redgate u12s finally headed off on their long awaited trip to the Netherlands over the Easter weekend. Leaving Liverpool in the early afternoon, the team arrived at their Center Parcs accommodation at about 6pm. Whilst the kids checked out the park, the dads inspected the park’s bar. After a hectic frame of bowling, it was off to bed to prepare for an 8am pickup to head off to the Easter Tournament as Steevensbeek Sports Park.

Playing up a year on full sized 11-aside pitches, Redgate did themselves proud in the wonderful spring sunshine. Their first game was against a Danish team called Snekkersten with a genuine Viking for coach, and Redgate were unlucky to not win a tense 0-0 encounter. This was followed by an unlucky 0-1 defeat and another 0-0 draw against two Dutch teams called SV Nootdorp and local SVS Stevensbeek. Despite the lack of goals on the first day, the team played really well and had already started to improve their 11-aside shape and gameplay.

After some food and refreshments at the tournament, the group headed back to Center Parcs to experience the awesome swimming pool followed by an excursion on the lake Aqua Park!

After a lovely evening meal in the Fuegos Steakhouse, the team headed to bed to prepare for the following morning back at the sportspark.

The first game on Sunday was a rematch against the Danish Team Snekersten, with the Viking coach, which resulted in a tight 1-0 victory, the deadlock broken in the final 10-minutes with a goal from Joey Smith.

Their first goal and victory inspired the team to another win straight afterwards, with a 1-0 victory thanks to a Dexter Frodsham goal, then a dominant 7-0 victory to finish off the tournament, with goals from Dexter Frodsham, Joey Smith, Jake Davies, Thomas Wong and James Atherton.

All the kids performed really well, especially considering the size of the pitches and the 20’c heat! Dad’s player of the tournament was Oscar Butch-Platt, and the Managers’ players were James Atherton and Josh Higgins. Special mentions for the defenders Bella Massey and Freddie Guttridge, leading a defence that conceded just two goals in 180 minutes of football.

Back to Center Parcs for another mammoth swimming session for the kids, and some celebratory refreshments for the dads, to round off a fantastic trip that the team will remember for a long time.

Thanks to everyone that contributed to the trip with donations, sponsorships and attending the fundraising events. The trip couldn’t have happened without your support.