The Chertsey team (yellow shirts) with the Bootle team

On a rainy Friday morning in January, 14 boys set off at 07:30 from Salesian School Chertsey accompanied by Dr Lydon and Mr Bicknell to play two games against Thornleigh Salesian College Bolton and Savio Salesian College Bootle. After a relatively uneventful journey the team lost 2-3 in a close game to a Thornleigh. Following welcome refreshments with the Bolton team the boys travelled to Southport and settled into the Talbot Hotel.

We then set off for a tour of the City of Liverpool, guided by Fr Gerard Briody SDB, Headteacher of Savio, accompanied by Br Sandy Fairley SDB. Despite his extremely busy schedule Fr Briody organised a comprehensive tour including a visit to Anfield and the Memorial to the Hillsborough Disaster victims.

On the Saturday morning the team played Savio and lost 1-3 in a sporting game again played in very challenging weather conditions. Lunch was provided by our hosts who also agreed that we use the Don Bosco Centre where the team enjoyed games of table tennis and pool. We then set off to watch a Premier League Game at Goodison Park, Everton v Blackburn, for which tickets had been acquired for a very attractive price.

There is a long-standing tradition of Football Tours between the Salesian network of schools. The team of 2012 behaved in an exemplary fashion which was appreciated by our hosts. The team thanks, in particular, Mr Chris Bingley and Mr Stephen Talbot, PE teachers of Thornleigh and Savio respectively, and the Headteacher of Bootle who concerned himself with the minutest details to ensure that the tour was a success.

Year 10 Squad: William Brown, Bailey Mummery, Christian Paxia, Thomas Brown, Kieran Ahern, Lewis Hester, Adam Mooney, Jack Moore (captain), Fabrizio Feniello, Kai Stoneman, Oliver Tiernan, Carl Robert, Shaun Perryment, William Uncles

Dr J Lydon
Assistant Headteacher