Bingham has been twinned with the small town of Wallenfels in Bavaria, Germany since 1984, and the trip taken or hosted by Bingham's Youth Football Club www.binghamtownyouthfc.com is a highlight of the many twinning activities. This event was first organised by former Club Chairman Steve McRobie in 2001 and this summer was another roaring success, on its 10th anniversary, with a group of 41 players and supporters making the long away trip.
Friday
Arrival
The advance team arrived and set up camp having taken the key equipment and bulky items such as tents, chairs and bedding. However, some key items remained in Bingham, namely the tined food like loads of beans and tomatoes!
Due to a problem with the airline, the original and preferred departure airport was changed from Stanstead to Gatwick, so a normally early start of 3AM was changed to 2AM. An easy journey saw the 26 overnight travellers arrive at the campsight
A relaxing afternoon and evening was spent with our hosts, who provided lunch and a cracking evening BBQ prepared by the families of FC Wallenfels under the stewardship of team manager and local legend Wolfang Köhlmann.
Saturday
Saturday was an easy start but the tour began with a bang we set off for an afternoon's rafting on the beautiful River Rodach running through the heart of Wallenfels. The new-comers (who were expecting dinghies, life jackets, and helmets) got their first taste of German "Health & Safety" when they discovered that rafting actually meant sitting on a plank nailed to eight tree trunks. Clinging desperately to the person in front, one minute up in the air, the next fully submerged in the icy waters, was a thrilling affair as the raft raced under bridges and round the bends. All 6km of the river banks were lined with revelling spectators, and hearts finally stopped pumping when we arrived downstream in the centre of the town.
Tired and thirsty, an evening round the campfire was just what the doctor ordered, and with fire cooked jacket potatoes. Members of the Bingham Dance Band were also on site, so an evening of live jazz music was presented.
Sunday
FC Wallenfels
Sunday: The big match day was early in the tour for a change and consisted of two games. The Under 18s and the Veterans!!!
Under 18s:
Bingham U18: Harley Cox (c), Sam Blackmore, Fabian Schlee. Joe Bedborough, Will D’Hoogie, Harry Grice, Ed Chapman, Tom Woods, Ali Douglas, Will McRobie, Harry Cottee, Fabien, Jake Lawrence, Steve Woods (manager)
The game was played in a under a slightly overcast sky, much to the relief of the players. It was a fine game of end to end play with Bingham clearly having the upper hand with early chances going just wide of the goal. Eventually the first goal went in a fine strike from our hosts.
Bingham regrouped and scored the equaliser but shortly later Bingham took the lead against the run of play.
Half time 1:2
Second half Bingham came out wanting to consolidate their lead but a lack of concentration enabled Wallefels to equalise. 2:2
Further goals from Bingham lead to a final score of 6:2
| Player | Goals |
| Harry Grice | 2 |
| Will D’Hoogie | 3 |
| Will McRobie | 1 |
Veterans/Seniors
The Cottee Shield has been played for the past 2 meetings and at present the score is Bingham 2, Wallenfels 0.
At the start of the game the weather changed from a nice warm overcast day to a howling gale of strong wind and heavy rain.
It has to be said that Bingham fielded its weakest team of veterans ever, that did not stop the self belief that the team held or the hope that their opponents would also be handicapped.
Unfortunately that was not the case as Wallenfels fielded a very strong squad. Bingham’s squad was supplemented by some of the U18 squad.
Half Time 3:1
The weather has eased and is now a glorious evening
Full Time 7:5, Wallenfels gain the Cottee Shield for the next two years.
| Player | Goals |
| Matt Turney | 1 |
| James Brooks | 3 |
| Joe Bedborough | 1 |
After the game, Scarlet Cottee presented the Cottee Shield to the Wallenfels captain Wolfang Köhlmann. Steve McRobie also presented a plate to Wolfgang depicting scenes from Bingham and Nottingham
A marvellous afternoons football seeing two hatricks but disappointment in losing the Cottee shield, with the promise to return in two years to challenge and return to Bingham.
The day was finished off by a wonderful bar-b-que (after surviving the earlier downpour) given by Wallenfels FC and an evening of singing, chatting and drinking round the camp fire.
Monday:
Today was classified as a free/rest day and was taken up with the following stress free options
· A walk to a the other end of Wallenfels to see a 400 year old water powered wood saw mill
· An easy bike ride
· Rest around the pool or go on your own visit
· Mountain biking with Town Mayor Peter Hänel
The day was completed with a meal or fire cooked jacket potatoes and chilli with campfire songs.
Tuesday
Today was an early start as we were due to visit Untreusee, which is near Hof for Tree Climbing, Maze or Dragon Boating.
These activities took place in a lovely park on a very warm sunny day.
After a day of physical execration we became tourists and visited Mödlareuth also known as “Little Berlin” a village divided by the cold war http://littleberlin.de/?PID=static,About,WasIstLittleBerlin_en
This was a fascinating visit but we did not have enough time to really experience the “Wall” in all its horror but we all left with a great sense of understanding and amazement at how it was possible or what it would have been like to live in such conditions.
That evening we all eat at the local Pizzeria and as ever, finished the evening round the campfire.
Wednesday
Another easy start as the second set of games at SV Rothenkirchen will follow in the afternoon. This is the second time SVR have hosted Bingham with the first being two years ago in 2009.
SV Rothenkirchen
Under 18s:
Another hard game played in extremely hot weather conditions. Early on the Rotenkirchen tested the Bingham keeper.
Bingham takes the lead with a fine goal, closely followed by another. The home team fight back and it’s rewarded by a goal for the home side.
Just before halftime, Bingham increases their lead.
Half time 1:3
A lovely free kick early in the second half is converted by a header, another Bingham goal.
The home team rally and put another past the Bingham keeper just before end of time.
Full Time 2:4
The under 18’s gain their second win of the tour.
| Player | Goals |
| Harry Grice | 2 |
| Stephan Simon | 1 |
| Fabian Schlee | 1 |
Veterans/Seniors
Now the real test, last time Bingham lost to this excellent side. Most of the Bingham Vets were feeling the effects of the Wallenfels game and acting lid kids in the trees yesterday. However a full squad supplemented by a couple of under 18’s took to the field.
At the line-up after the national anthems, each Bingham player was presented by a nice souvenir tankard.
The home team, SVR, took an early lead, but Bingham carried on fighting back, only to concede a second and third goals before half time
Half Time 3:0
The second half starts with Bingham being very strong but cannot get the goal they deserve. Two quick goals against the run of play put SVR in an envious position.
However, the visitors are not down and start to fight back sensing SVR are starting to fade.
Bingham start to press and soon their efforts are rewarded by a goal but the whistle was blown off side. Bingham continue to press and soon the ball is in the back of the SVR net, the supporting crowd go crazy. Soon the crowd are rewarded by a second and then a third.
Soon the ref blows for full time. Too late, another 10 minutes and Bingham could have levelled or won the game
Full Time 5:3
| Player | Goals |
| Matze | 1 |
| Harley Cox | 1 |
| Will | 1 |
After the game SVR bring out their food and the post games celebrations start.
A yard of ale, a gift from Bingham last time is brought out and it’s a Vets v’s Youth match.
The Yard is drank by a team of five and timed. There is a 20 second penalty for excessive spillage.
Vets first, an admirable 1:52 with 20 seconds penalty
Youths second 1:49 with 40 seconds of penalty.
Game to vets:
We depart at midnight having had a very enjoyable day.
Thursday
Another easy and relaxed start following the night before. Today is what a lot of people have been looking forward too, our visit Kronach.
Before that is the new Beach Vollyball tournament which was well supported and well played. The teams consisted of a mix of old and young and included some of local Wallenfels inhabitants, to ensure a good and even games.
The activities consisted of
· Summer Bobsleigh
· Brewery visit to Kiasserhof. Given that the group consisted of a lot of now legal (in Germany) 16yr olds, it was important that they understand how beer is brewed, having spent considerable Euro in tasting’s!
· The Shutzenfest, a chance to drink and dance on tables to music from the brilliant “die Bambergers”, try various traditional Bavarian foods and enjoy the fun fair of crazy rides.
Friday
Another free day with a number of options including
· Resting on the site
· Visit other nearby cities
We finished the day supporting the first team at Wallenfells and the traditional end of day routine of a campfire
Saturday
Today is the final day of football on the tour and it was to nearby village of Unterrodach., for our third visit.
We arrive early afternoon and were presented by a wonderful gift. A book of photographs from our previous two visits.
FC Unter-Ober-Rodach
Under 18s:
Another very hot day for playing Fusball
A very even game with Bingham slightly on top, but just cannot put the ball away, eventually the deadlock is broken by a fine goal to Bingham.
Before half time, another Bingham Goal
Half Time 0:2
Second half starts and the home team come out strong and the keeper keeps the ball out of the net, Bingham weather the storm and mount their own challenge.
Another Bingham goal, this seems to have opened the flood gates as Bingham scores another two before the final whistle.
Full Time 0:5
The Under 18’s have finished their tour unbeaten.
| Player | Goals |
| Ed Chapman | 1 |
| Will D’Hoogie | 1 |
| Harry Grice | 1 |
| Joe Bedborough | 1 |
| Jake Lawrence | 1 |
Veterans/Seniors
Then the turn of the vets. They fielded a seriously depleted team due to injuries sustained in previous outings. So one vet came out of retirement and the Under 18s supplemented the team. The idea was to keep as many vets on the pitch as we could.
Early pressure resulted in the visitor’s going a goal down. This was answered by a Bingham goal. The home team scored again followed by another Bingham goal.
Bingham go into half time another goal down.
Half Time 3:2
Second half starts and more Bingham players are off due to injuries. That said the visitors score an equaliser thanks to new fresh young legs.
The home team increase their lead shortly after by not one, two but three goals. The whistle is blown for full time and the visitors collapse to their third defeat on the tour
Full Time 6:3
| Player | Goals |
| Matt | 1 |
| Joe Bedborough | 1 |
| Harry Grice | 1 |
Following the games, more hospitality in the form of a hog roast laid on by our hosts..
This is followed by a yard of ale completion between Bingham vets and the hosts.
Bingham go first and record an excellent time, including penalties. The home team follow and also post an excellent time.
Due to the penalties Bingham have incurred, the home team won.
This is the second drinking game defeat Bingham has endured to this excellent football club, the first being four years ago.
We retire back to our campsite to lick our wounds.
Sunday
Officially a day of rest, however also the end of several tournaments
The tennis championship was a series of doubles games and final of the table tennis.
We closed the day with another visit to see FC Wallenfels first team play and win a great game.
The day closed with Oz’s presentation night where winners and fools of the week were celebrated and embarrassed.
Monday
A day of sadness and happiness as this is our final day. Time to say goodbye to our hosts and start the long journey home.
We will return for the next one in two years. It’s a unique and very great experience for young and old.
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