Supporters Trust football tournament

[Al4475]

 all,
We have received the following email and I would like to gauge interest from our members!

If we can gain enough support (VSC members only) and interest I am happy to take this forward and enter a team made up of our membership!

I have spoken to the academy and can arrange training sessions/trials etc with them once we have enough interest to enter us!

Thoughts?

Al
To Whom It May Concern:

Please allow me to introduce myself.  My name is Andy Wilson and I am a board director on the Hartlepool United Supporters Trust.

I am in the process of organising a 6-a-side tournament to be held in Hartlepool on Saturday 29th July.  The idea behind the tournament is to hopefully bring as many Trusts together to be under one roof at any one given time, as we feel this would be a great opportunity for up to 10 or 12 members of each trust to be together.  Then there is the enjoyable side of the idea.  We could all enjoy a kick about.  Should the event prove successful, we will hold the event on an annual basis, the same weekend each week.  Our thoughts from Hartlepool’s trust is we can all discuss various topics, some related to trust life.  Things like ideas that have worked well to raise awareness, successful fundraisers etc., and also things that might have failed with other trusts.  We’re thinking if we can share both positive and negative ideas it will help other trusts either run a successful campaign, or save them wasting time running a campaign that may have failed elsewhere.  We could also make friends at the event, which in turn will possibly help on match days when we visit each other during the season.  We could all socialise on match days and have a pint or two prior or post games.

But back to the football.  The event will cost each trust £150 to enter a team of up to 10 players.  That will calculate to £15 per player.  The tournament will be set up for a group style tournament with the top teams from each group qualifying for a knockout style competition for the HUST Cup.  The bottom teams will go to a knockout format for the Shield or Trophy.  Depending on numbers this will dictate the format, but as an example, 16 trusts will make 4 groups of 4.  Top 2 from each group will qualify for the final 8 of the cup, the bottom two will qualify for shield/trophy.  That in turn will result in a minimum of 4 x 20 minute games for each trust.  We have booked the whole venue out and have a number of qualified referees to officiate the games.  These referees will be on hand for the duration of the tournament, as will all of the pitches.  This would allow teams to play friendlies with other trusts if they wish to do so.  We may even introduce a wooden spoon for fun.  Those who exit the first knockout games could go on for the wooden spoon, introducing an additional game.

We aim to start the event around midday to allow travelling trusts to arrive with ample time.  Following the football, the players will be able to grab a shower, followed by a bite to eat, then an evening of entertainment.  Supporters Direct will be backing the event and will say a few words following the football.  Should we have enough interest we may also add an ex footballer or a comedian for entertainment.

Should your trust be interested in attending, but need to travel, we will gladly seek accommodation for a reduced rate prior to you attending the event should you wish us to do so.

Thank you for your time to read our invitation, and we hope you will be interested in attending.

Further details to follow.

Thanks again for your time.

Best Regards,

Andy Wilson and the Hartlepool United Supporter Trust   

I am happy to pursue this if we can gauge some support - but it is of course a supporters trust tournament so players must be VSC members!