Post by Bushman on May 30, 2011 23:48:17 GMT
Haarlem Cup Tournament August 1988
Rangers Youth Team took part in the prestigious Haarlem Cup Tournament Holland.
Here is a special account from club director Peter Ellis.
Here is a special account from club director Peter Ellis.
I was fortunate and privileged to lead the Queens Park Rangers Youth Squad , together with Frank Sibley, Chris Gieler and Ron Berry, to Amsterdam to take part in the International Tournament known as the Haarlem Cup. QPR was the selected team from England and there were teams from Vancouver, (British Columbia, Canada), Finland, Italy, Sweden and also as far away as Taiwan, not to mention a number of Dutch sides. (There were in fact, sixteen teams taking part and they were divided into four groups).
Our Club Sponsors KLM assisted us in many ways. For example, making sure of a smooth passage through Heathrow Terminal 4 and Schipol Airports. They also booked us in to the Barbizan Tulip Hotel in the centre of Amsterdam which is an hotel you could recommend to the most discerning traveller. KLM were also the main sponsors of the Haarlem Cup Tournament.
We arrived in Amsterdam at about four o'clock and were given thirty minutes by Frank Sibley to unpack before we set off to the training ground we had been allocated in Haarlem.
After 90 minutes training everyone was ready to enjoy a meal of chicken and chips in a local restaurant.
Wednesday, August 10th was to be our first full day in Holland and serious training took place in the morning and afternoon. (At this stage I must admit I still feel relatively a 'new boy' on these tours. I was thrown in at the deep end last August with the first team squad and it is not until you see how it all works behind the scenes that you realise it is not just a case of putting on an attractive shirt on a Saturday afternoon - there is much more than that.)
However whilst Frank was putting the players through their paces I was impressed with training by Ian Bennett and Peter Cauldwell, with the help of Ron Berry.
On Wednesday afternoon we discovered a park very near to the hotel which is where early morning training/warm up sessions took place.
Thursday at 1 o‘clock was to be our first match against Telstar of Holland. Telstar put the ball in the net in the first minute but the goal was dissalowed. Half way through the first half Michael Rutherford scored from a Cummins pass following Herrera‘s corner. After 44 minutes Cummins scored from a Machiochi pass from down on the by line on the left. After 60 minutes Kevin Kingsmore was substituted by Gary Eaton. In the 63rd minute, again Cummins scored from a centre from Mark Fleming on the right.
Telstar scored a consolation goal a minute from the final whistle: Final score: QPR 3 - Telstar 1.
We returned to our hotel in Amsterdam almost immediately after the game, not only for the players to enjoy a soak in the bath but to prepare for the Opening Ceremony of the Tournament back at the Haarlem Stadium. Every team competing in the tournament marched into the packed stadium and it was pleasing to note that the team from England received the loudest ovation. Perhaps this, was as in the Seoul Olympic Stadium in Korea in June, because Queens Park Rangers were the smartest on parade!
Manager Frank Sibley on the left leads the team.
The players left shortly after the ceremony for a well deserved meal and an early night. I remained in the stadium to watch to watch the match between Haarlem 1st team v Bochum of Germany. As many of you know, Rangers first team were the invited opponents of Haarlem but for good reasons known to your good selves this was not to be.
After the match there was a fireworks display followed by a reception attended by one or two ambassadors, consuls and potential VIP‘s from the competing countries.
On August 12th we were to meet Viarregio from Italy in our second game of the tournament.
After just three minutes David Macciochi scored from an excellent pass from Kevin Kingsmore.
Across the face of the goal. Rutherford nearly added to the score after 15 minutes, after a move between Herrera and Fleming. A clever interception at the half-way marker by Cummins who moved down the right, passed to Kingsmore to score after 37 minutes.
After 70 minutes a superb cross from Cummins allowed Bradley Allen to slide the ball home. After 72 minutes Allen was substituted by Eaton. After 82 minutes flowers retired hurt and was replaced by Tony Joyce. In the 84th minute Kingsmore scored from the ‘spot‘. The best goal of this match was scored three minutes from time by Sean Cummins after a series of one/two football with Robert Herrera. Final score: QPR 5 - Viarraegio 0.
The team returned to Amsterdam again to soak in the bath and look forward to an evening meal and a cruise on the canal which had been arranged by the almost ‘indispensable’ Chris Gieler. I took leave of the party this particular evening, borrowed a car, and drove to Schipol Airport to meet a supporter from West London who joined us at his own expense.
After the canal cruise the ‘Squad’ had a couple of hours sightseeing in Amsterdam. At about 10.20pm I was enjoying a lager with our supporter at an outside bar in Dam Square watching the world go by when I thought I spotted a dozen or more blue and white track suited athletes scurrying across Dam Square from the direction of the canals behind the Grand Hotel. It was dark and it was impossible to identify even the nationality of the youngsters but I am assured all our players were in their hotel at curfew time of 10.30pm!!
Saturday, August 13th was to be a long day with two important matches to play. The first match was at 3 o‘clock against Quick, Den Hag. Gary Eaton scored after 25 minutes and again 4 minutes later after a great run by Kevin Kingsmore.
After 55 minutes Kingsmore was replaced by Tommy Parker, and a minute later Parker was fouled in the box and Cummins neatly attended to the necessary. In the 65th minute Cummins was relieved by Justin Allsop. Parker scored number four from a centre from the left. In the 85th minute a centre from David McEnroe was beautifully headed into goal By Justin Allsop. Final score: QPR 5 - Quick Den Hag 0.
And so to the Semi-Final v Kemin Palloseurd from Finland at 6.30 pm.
Finland were the toughest opposition so far and missed two or three easy chances early on but after 12 minutes Bradley Allen scored a superb goal with his left foot following a free kick 1-0. Allen added a further goal on 16 minutes from a Macciochi centre. Shortly after that Kingsmore scored from a Herrera header into the area and Kingsmore made it four from the penalty spot 4 minutes from half-time. The second half was not so entertaining But Finland scored a consolation goal halfway through the second half. Final score : QPR 4 - Kemin Palloseurd 1.
And so to the final against Haarlem , a team we were told were the best the third best under 19 team in Europe, at 2.45 pm on Sunday.
Haarlem looked a good side in the first half and moved the ball about with the desired effect and went ahead after 17 minutes. However after 30 minutes Robert Herrera who played so well throughout the tournament, lobbed the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and the ball was judged by the linesman as having crossed the goal-line.
After 60 minutes Haarlem scored a second goal, and on such a warm afternoon a lesser team would have dropped their heads. Not so Rangers. Tony Joyce scored the equaliser from a Herrera corner nudged on by Rutherford and shortly after that Richard Hunt seized upon a loose ball in the six yard area to put us in front at last 3-2. Five minutes from time Allen was brought down in the area and Kingsmore put the result beyond doubt from the penalty spot. Final score: QPR 4 - Haarlem 2.
Well done Queens Park Rangers Youth Squad. You will not need reminding that they won the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup at the end of last season, and now the Haarlem Cup should give them a good lift off for the new term.
Players celebrate winning the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup
Youth Team Captain Sean Cummins and Chairman David Bulstrode with the Haarlem Trophy and the Southern Junior Floodlit Cup
You will never win trophies without a good back-up service so it is appropriate to pay tribute to their manager Frank Sibley, the irrepressible QPR Development Officer, Mr Chris Gieler and Kit Manager cum Doctor, Mr Ron Berry.
Finally, Good Luck to all the players and staff of all the teams for the coming season. You have our unswerving support at all times.
