Like a scene off Dads Army, myself and Kingy set up camp in our house for the weekend at the home of Den Helden FC, the host club for our latest Dutch excursion with our 1997's.

A weekend that was up there with the most enjoyable weekends had on tour. The experience of camping combined with the tournament and spending the week in the company of 13 great lads made it a great tour.

The group was made up of some debutants, some travelling with us for the 3^rd or 4^th time and some making their anything from 8^th - 12^th trip with us. Even Kingy worked out that this was his 15^th tour in 4 years. It made me realise that the experiences gained, life and football lessons learned and fun had is among the greatest of moments in the football calendar for not only players but the staff also.

Travelling with Southend United is becoming easier by the tour. The players are well aware of the standards and professionalism expected of them, knowing the behaviour required, and experienced around the quality of football needed to compete.

I am delighted by all of these things in this group this weekend. Never were there issues around any of these areas. This allows us to concentrate wholly on the development of the player and person. Throughout the weekend only once was our performance unacceptable on the pitch, it cost us momentum and position in the tournament and a show of mental weakness and fatigue was soon repaired after the players were told in no uncertain terms to 'sort themselves out' and 'toughen up'.

It came as no surprise that the leaders of the group set the tone and dragged everybody up behind them and delivered an incredible moment in our final fixture.

The opening game was against Feyenoord, we knew this would be a tough start and would need our best. We were excellent. A performance dominant from start to finish with good use of the ball on a big pitch and hitting the crossbar. We deserved a win and thought we'd scored until somewhat strangely our goal was disallowed for an offside which we still cannot work out how. We finished with a 0-0 and followed it with a 1-0 victory against SC Cambuur. Our final game saw us miss a host of chances at 1-0 up only to concede a sloppy goal later on from a free kick to draw 1-1. We finished the group joint top with Feyenoord with an identical goal difference and head to head record. A penalty shoot out decided the group winner. We lost it.

We were then defeated 2-0 by Oldenburg, the eventual tournament winners. I do not believe they were better than us and believe we were good enough to win this tournament. A 2 hour blip in the middle of the day drawing 1-1, losing the shoot out and losing this game cost us. I was extremely annoyed with the players for this, they have to understand that winning tournaments takes consistency and motivation all day. Leaders must lead and players must perform game after game. This lack of steel and will cost us in a tournament I and they think we could've succeeded in. Overall our finishing place is slightly disappointing. However the lessons learned and reaction to this set back gives us great contentment that the players have learned, have developed and will do better next time.

This should not overshadow my pride at the mentality and maturity shown for the whole weekend and the quality of their company.

We were victorious against the Belgians Mechelan 1-0 after an excellent display but saved the best game until last. Playing Feyenoord again, this time for 5^th / 6^th place in a 16 team tournament was strange. I have never said before I believe we were the best team in the tournament, I believe it though. And I think the best 2 football teams were playing for 5^th and 6^th, it was not our job to moan or look at the what if's, only to deliver a top performance and show that we had grown throughout the weekend. You finish where you deserve to finish.

We started this game very well, passing and moving in an assured way. We fell behind against the run of play mid way through the 1^st half much to the delight of the travelling 'barmy army'. The Feyenoord supporter's bus had arrived with a 40 strong crowd, with banners, drums, horns and rattles. Their decision to sit beside our dugout somewhat annoyed me and Kingy! An excellent 2^nd goal gave Feyenoord a great cushion and they celebrated like they'd won the tournament, the tinsel and confetti sprayed across the pitch from the fans who sang themselves horse.

Half time arrived, a change of formation, a change of mentality and a need to believe. An early goal would bring it back. Jonno scored early following up Bed's saved penalty. The Feyenoord boys were rattled and the band went quiet. We had them and momentum turned. What followed was an inspiring half of football squeezed full of energy, desire and quality. After Jonno equalised we were delighted at the prospect of a penalty shoot out to decide our final position. When Trainers slotted home the winner in the final minute, the celebrations were great and truly quietened the band! The players danced around the corner flag, SUFC shirts lay all over the pitch as the referee tried to book the players who had bared their chests in delight. He gave up - too many bookings and goodbye to the fair play trophy!

The final few minutes were played out brilliantly and the final whistle saw scenes that will be remembered by all for a long time. Moments like this produce great feelings and images, the boys need to learn now to store these feelings as anchors to recall them when they want to re-create this feeling. A great tour moment and a great victory against a huge club.

The weekend was full of funnies; impressions, meeting famous faces, camping, beach soccer and many other moments will be remembered from another great tour.

Well done boys, enjoy the summer.

Mark Bonner
Recruitment Officer

Squad: Tommy Metcalf, Daniel Kingsman, Sonny Coutts, Luke Charlette, Ruari McIntyre, Freddie Gard, Bradley Patterson, Danny Gould, Tom Trower, Joe Bedford, Jamie Brown, Ross Johnson, Harry Phillips. Staff: Mark Bonner, Steve King.