Cookham return victorious
7:00am Tuesday 22nd May 2007
COOKHAM'S very own football team has returned from a European trip victorious after taking up the challenge of some Italian rivals.
Village side Cookham Wanderers travelled half way across Europe to take on Italian side Colletta after team member David Tom was baited by an Italian friend who claimed that an English side could never beat an Italian one.
David, who is known at the club as the tourmeister', having organised several other European trips to countries including Germany, France and Ireland, said: "It was after a few bottles of delicious red and a glorious seafood meal that they made their reckless boast. Now they have to eat their words."
With English pride at stake, Cookham managed to keep their heads held high with a 4-2 triumph over the Italian team on their own soil. The match was played at the Liguria Stadium in Colletta close to the coastal resort of Alassio in northern Italy.
The victory was especially sweet for the 16 members of the club who travelled across the continent as it came on the tenth anniversary of Cookham Wanderers. The club was formed ten years ago at the village hall in Cookham.
After an informal match, club members who now have an average age of 45, decided to make the friendly matches a permanent fixture. The club now has 24 members and all the team live in, or within, a few miles of Cookham.
In Italy, goals from Geoff Arnott, Steve Smith, Colin Jones and Alan Day secured victory for the English village. Prizes were awarded to Geoff for best goal and right back Tim Rose, who received the Golden Boot for his solid passing and defensive skills.
Tim said: "My kids can't believe it, in fact people have been stopping us in the streets of Cookham to congratulate us on our great success."
But they're not stopping there, despite half the team returning from Italy nursing injuries, they are planning a trip to Spain next year.
Simon added: "It was just such a thrill to be victorious."