THE CHAPS ARE BACK, MUM'S GOT THE KIT TO WASH

I have been wandering through the Gothia results to see which English team progressed furthest. The South Central prep schools always do well and one U13 team reached the 1/4 finals. Another SC U14 prep side reached the 1/8, with Bath and Wilts FA, who seemed to spend a lot of their social time in school uniform but they looked very smart, if a little frazzled. Guildford Saints from the local Surrey Sunday youth leagues had a terrific run reaching the U16A quarters. Barnes Eagles had a similar run in the U18 A play off, whilst the Berks College of Agriculture (ooo arrr) won into the U18 B last eight.

Swindon Town ladies in their B play off, in the U19 competition and Plymouth Argyle in the As, reached their 1/4 and ladies from  Brighton and Hove Albion and Burnley College were in 1/8 play offs. The girls football standard at Gothia is very high, with Swedish teams and the US dominating. 

Other boys teams came from as far afield as Weston Super Mare, Scarborough, Guernsey and Regents Park, whilst well travelled, did not venture as far in the knock outs as they hoped. In the middle of fjord country, deepest Norway, I found this cracking pitch right by the sea (fjord you know the difference). It's got a track round it and unsurprisingly it is next to the local school, They play anywhere, they have to and a special word to our mums? Thanks!!