Valeview Shankill Schoolboys u-11 team playing in The South Dublin Football League Division 1 had a very successful trip to Portsmouth on the weekend of 1st February 2008. A party comprising of players/fathers/management left Dublin Airport early on the Friday. Having arrived at their excellent accommodation in Central Portsmouth, the weary travellers took a little time out to recharge batteries. Later that evening the party broke bread together in a local dinery and this was followed by a visit to an Amusement Arcade, where some of the lads showed their prowess at the pool table…. while others showed their prowess at “The Claw” (numerous soft toys squished into luggage on way back).Following a restful night, the party left for Portsmouth training ground early the next morning in brilliant sunshine for a training session by Portsmouth F.C. staff, co-ordinated by the very helpful Gary Owers (Community relations Officer ). The session was finished off with a match against an U12 team from Devon who were also visiting. The Shankill lads gave a very creditable performance, being squeezed out by the odd goal.


Then onto Fratton Park, where pre-game, the lads were presented with Match Programmes and “Pompey” hats by Gary. On opening the programme, there, much to their astonishment was their team photograph. The premiership match had the locals (gamely supported by Tommy, Andrew and other conscripts) take on the”cosmopolitan money bags club” Chelsea (supported by the Die-hards Niall ,Dane et al ). In the end of an excellent game of Football, the spoils were shared in a one all draw. Later that evening following intensive discussions, we headed for a self-service Chinese Restaurant. With the adults very much in charge, the children helped themselves to a starter of jelly and ice-cream…main course of jelly and ice –cream and desert compromising of…..



The following morning with the weather gods still looking after us, shopping trips were very much the order of the day. Some followed this up with visits to the local tourist attractions (The Spinnaker Tower and Historical Boat Yard). Unfortunately, all good things come to an end and a very weary, but satisfied travelling party arrived back in Shankill late Sunday evening. I must praise the behaviour of the lads on the trip, which was excellent and this augurs well for the future (Trip)…. The adults’ behaviour was also impeccable. Special thanks to Tommy, who did the graft and pulled it all together and all others who contributed, without whom our task would have been more difficult.

Donal.