Back in September 2005 PSG Belgium came over to play is at Belair Park. I wasn't able to go to this match as I was working that morning. I hadn't realised that there was a report & a photo of the game until Jack McInroy emailed the link from the official PSG website.
We entered their five-a-side tournament in their home region of Namur, with an A & a B side, last May, of which I will publish a few photos at a later stage, as I do not have them available at the moment. (Andy Tucker has them kindly saved to disc for me)
And in January, earlier this year, we went to Paris; where we were honoured to be able to play the match at the actual training complex of the Paris Saint Germain First Team!
In the evening the majority of us, Ie: those who were going back to England on the Saturday evening, saw PSG draw 0-0 with Sochaux in front of over 33,000 spectators; & the next day a few of us saw a local non-league match (level six) between Paris CA & FC St-Leu PB 95; with the visitors being victorious by the odd goal in three, a really awful match if truth be told, only livening up in the latter part of the second half, in front of about 70 spectators. "TheRabblers" contingent not moving far from the beer stand behind the goal!
These photos are ones that I took, and have been kindly uploaded onto this blog by Paul Griffin.
This is the Parc des Princes stadium, where PSG play. I took it when I got to Paris on the Friday, so I would have a nice clear snap in daylight.
Saturday...no signs of pre match nerves here.
Very few snaps from the game, I spent most of the match, until I had a late run out, filming clips of it on Larrys' camera phone. Hopefully a small DVD compilation of it will be on sale, with proceeds towards team funds, will be available in the not too distant future.
The tension on the bench...
Looking relieved that half time has arrived...
Posing with the flag after the game
And again...with yours truly in it this time! ;-)
We played on the superb ulta-modern all-weather pitch. This is the main grass pitch adjacent to it, where PSG reserves play in the CFA Division (level four, the same as our old friends from Red Star) We used the main changing rooms under the stand.
Another team photo, by the main pitch under the actual scoreboard. Well it HAD to be done...
The team photo taken by Jack McInroy appeared in the 'South London Press' the following Friday.
This is Danuta, partner of PSG Belgium chairman Nicolas.
This is Danuta, partner of PSG Belgium chairman Nicolas.
(What on earth has she done with his ball...)
After the match we partied in the car park, as there was no bar there, with copious amounts of Belgian beer-literally crates of it- magically appearing from the boots of their cars. I thank them for bringing coca cola too!
Cheers!
What is it with old people & weak bladders?
Down in one!
After the match we partied in the car park, as there was no bar there, with copious amounts of Belgian beer-literally crates of it- magically appearing from the boots of their cars. I thank them for bringing coca cola too!
Cheers!
What is it with old people & weak bladders?
Down in one!
That's the way to do it!
Bloody lighweight!
Take a lesson from one of the locals...
Well Big Nose started it...
Back to the station...well we are tourists...
Where's your Tardis gone...
Ultra-cool keeper!
And so to the big PSG game in the evening
It's that lovely Belgian lady again...
Show me the way to go home...
The chap on the right was on all the news-stands. Just before we arrived one of their true national icons was buried in what was, almost, a State Funeral.
Bloody lighweight!
Take a lesson from one of the locals...
Well Big Nose started it...
Back to the station...well we are tourists...
Where's your Tardis gone...
Ultra-cool keeper!
And so to the big PSG game in the evening
It's that lovely Belgian lady again...
Show me the way to go home...
The chap on the right was on all the news-stands. Just before we arrived one of their true national icons was buried in what was, almost, a State Funeral.
This was a poster of him, Abbe Pierre, looking uncannily like our very own Mark Hutton!
And so to the local non league game on the Sunday afternoon...
"Should be a good game..."
"Bloody hell! It's worse than Dulwich Hamlet when Martin Eede was manager!"
The height of sophistication...wine in a plastic glass!
Are they all yours?
Late that night two rather worse for wear drunkards merrily get back to our hotel...
Well it could be worse...the other one might've been in his boxers!
A rarely seen thing: Phil Baker with a non-alcoholic drink!
And on that note...thanks for looking through.
Hope you enjoyed them!
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