It was business as usual on the football field as a team of German footballers won the day in an international tournament staged in the North East.
Teams representing Amsterdam, Berlin, Madrid, Perpignan, Prague and Tynedale met on the warmest weekend of the year so far to compete in the 15th Annual International Tournament, which was hosted by England’s Have We Got Enough FC.
Played in the heat of the day on the artificial grass pitches at South Shields Football Club, the round robin seven-a-side tournament saw the German ‘A’ team running out as comfortable winners, with the Czechs taking second spot and the very young Dutch team finishing third in their debut year in the competition.
One of the Tynedale teams finished in a respectable fourth place, while in their match, the two English sides fought out a competitive 1-1 draw
HWGE FC was formed more than 35 years ago by a group of friends from across the area, some of whom still play every Friday evening at Haydon Bridge Community High School, and is comprised of players aged from 16 right up to 80.
The team’s European exploits began in 2005 when Tynedale resident and Newcastle University professor Volker Straub, formerly of Hamburg, organised a footballing adventure to Berlin.
Links with other countries were gradually established over the years, culminating in a truly international event being played annually in different European locations, with the participating countries take it in turn to host the event.
It’s the first time that the tournament, which was sponsored by Harlow Printing of South Shields and the Rat Inn at Hexham, has been held in the North East since 2014 and plans are already in place for next year’s event in Madrid.
David Thompson, Have We Got Enough FC secretary, said: “The very warm and sunny conditions were ideal for our continental visitors whereas those of us who are more used to play in cooler conditions were somewhat disadvantaged by the rather untimely arrival of summer.
“The Berlin lads were over the moon at their victory and their singing and celebrations continued on the Metro back into Newcastle city centre!
“The day was a real family occasion, and there were many wives, partners, children and even grandparents who had travelled from all over Europe to cheer on their teams.
“It was a hugely successful event with the competitive edge to the football being balanced by the laughter and friendship of the more social aspects of the weekend, and we’re already looking forward to heading to Spain for next year’s tournament.”