OW Football Club - Harry Cripps Football Tournament 10 August 2024

18 OWs made the trip down to Winchester to take part in the Harry Cripps six-a-side tournament. Harry Cripps made 400 appearances for Millwall as well as turning out for West Ham and Charlton. After finishing his football career, he moved to coaching which led him to a spell at Winchester College. It was extremely fitting that on the day, we had an OW who played under his tutelage. Despite the lingering clouds threatening rain, it was a great afternoon. The groundsman had prepared a carpet for us.

Three teams of six were ready to put their summer shenanigans behind them in the name of fluid football. We had a team of trios: three Tipladys: Gabriel (E, 2006-11); Zac (Coll, 2009-14); Jonny (B, 2013-18) and three Hopperites (Hugo Saunders (2011-16); Hugh Burden (2010-15) and Alex Harker (2019-24).

Another team was a full mix of youth and experience: Alex Dawkins (G, 2002-07); Tom Vernon (G1997-02)); Fergus Brant (B, 2018-23); Atilla Ratib (I, 2012-17); Horatio Sykes (K, 2012-17); Al Hardiman (C, 1995-2000).

The final team was Ideaball FC: Temi Bolodeoku (C, 2013-18); Ademuyiwa Aderogba (K, 2014-18); Omos Kuye (C, 2016-19); Chukwuma Orji (A, 2015-20); Fred Kernot (I, 2014-19); Lekan Olagunju (F, 2017-19).

Plenty of great football was on display with lots of goals and varying tactics between all 3 teams. We were treated to a great comeback in the first game. There was a rare OW clean sheet in the second game and a final which shifted one way and then another, but ultimately Ideaball FC were the victors.

A quick 9 aside game provided a great end to the day and the refreshments in Hunter tent were very welcome amongst some famished OWs.

Well done to the Old Hopperites, who managed at least one player in every team and we were particularly pleased to welcome two recent leavers (Fergus and Alex) to the OWFC fold.