Jersey Tour 2025
Day 1 (12th April)
The 49th Jersey Festival has come around so quickly. The players and coaches seem to be very excited and the parents are looking forward to some time to just watch and maybe have a few sherbets - even going along to the famous Crab Shack in St Brelades Bay to sample some delicious seafood and maybe a crisp Sauvignon Blanc or Chardonnay!
The players in the meantime, followed each other around Luton airport in the hope of finding a bargain or two, possibly spending all their money until they see parents tomorrow at the games in FB Fields. Some looking to remember their PIN numbers, others spending money like water, it was a spectacular sight seeing them in groups of 4 (sometimes) and picking up each others boarding passes after they had left them on the counters while getting money out.
Then it was time to board. Smoothly? Not bad. Noisy most definitely. 24 excited young men getting freedom away from their parents and onto the plane. The flight was incident free, and only 45 minutes long.
Jersey Bulls was next and to be fair it wasn't the most exciting of games but we did see 3 goals eventually. Not a great afternoon personally as my beloved Luton lost at home again and are getting marooned at the bottom of the Championship.
Bingo next! Winner was Freddie who screamed "Bingo" after getting a full house and taking everyone else to the cleaners. Prize to be decided, probably sweets or maybe an Easter egg, because, it is that time year.
10pm is lights out and I'm wondering how many will still be awake at midnight. 

Day 2 (13th April)
After a quiet night during which the boss wasn't interrupted at all, it was time for waking up. I say waking up, but most were already up and about. They soon shrivelled when told they must shower.......something 11 yr old boys aren't used to. But to be fair, the rooms did smell of feet tis morning, so a shower was definitely needed for most.
Breakfast was taken, plenty eaten and drank, and the table manners improved but behaving like puppies every 5 minutes didn't (Can I go to the toilet please?) as they were up and down like a jack in the box.
The afternoon was our "band in the sand", as the sand dunes over at 5 mile beach were the destination. No idea what they got up to as they disappeared from view fairly quickly and only surfaced when wanting the toilet (surprise!!) or a drink. For an hour we hoped we would see their heads pop up to check we were ok, but they couldn't care less and carried on what they were doing without a care in the world.
Eventually we sent little Tom up to get them because we were getting cold drinking our hot drinks and to be fair, couldn't be bothered, so off he trotted as the clouds rolled over and the wind picked up. It was ice cream time to be fair, and they made the most of it, legging it back to be first in the queue, especially Ted as he jumped on the chance to have 2 when Max said he didn't want one. Rather predictably, the lads wanted to run around some more so we got the football out of the minibus and went to the beach. Yellows v Blues was the game, which was slightly unfair as there are 14 Blues and 10 Yellows, plus Mike and little Tom were blue for the day and big Tom thought he would glory hunt playing for the Yellows. 
Anyway, it didn't run to script, it never does on the beach, especially with lop sided numbers and the Blues took advantage to go 3-2 up. A rather dodgy penalty decision by the unbiased Yellows manager (the match referee would you believe) , and a poor penalty by big Tom, gave the Yellows a share of the points and a last minute equaliser before we all de-camped and came back to the hotel.
Dinner tonight will be fun as they are wearing the smart trousers and blue dress shirt for the first time.......guesses for first one to spill gravy or any sauce down the front!!
Well, who would you have guessed? In fact, it wasn't just one, it was plenty. Not only will we have to wash the playing kit, looks like we'll have to wash all their clothes.
Anyway, it was Quiz Night, competed in rooms, to see who knew more about football knowledge. Quizmaster Spratt was quite impressed with the level of ability and how clever the lads are. Nothing like the overpaid pampered superstars that mumble through interviews on Sky and BBC, these lads are clever. It shows by what they are writing in their diaries, and yes, they are doing them and we are reading them. Excuses at first about "my writing is great" "I can't spell" "I hate English" were forgotten as they realised it is a record for them to remember this trip so it really didn't matter and we aren't going to assess them or make them take the dreaded SATS tests for someone else's gratification. 
I wonder what day 3 will bring...... lights out was quicker today as they are tired and need sleep.
Football report will be on the match report page later on today.

Day 3 (14th April)
A bright sunny day started with an early start to the day, although not intentional...... when the boss got up to go for his early morning walk to get his coffee fix at Bean Around The World, most rooms were already awake and had showered so it made perfect sense to wake up the room that hadn't surfaced yet (Freddie, Lewis and Max) so they were all up.
Breakfast was an unusually quiet affair as the lads seemed to be tired, until of course they got on the minibus and blasted out some tunes at the top of their voices.
It was a blue day as the blues kit made its first Jersey 25 appearance for both teams, luckily as I can imagine the smell of the yellow kit after the first game and the fact it was probably thrown into a draw or cupboard instead of being laid out as instructed. The football was entertaining and most players got to see family, if only for a short time.
Lunch was the usual and so afterwards, we had a meeting when the boss explained what was happening in the afternoon.
"We are going to St Brelades beach this afternoon, it has been voted once of the top 3 beaches in the UK....." and a voice came from there back of the group "Does that mean there are fit girls there?" Really!! Points for guessing who said that.
The sun was still out and I imagine that at least one of the lads will forget a towel, water bottle and a spare t shirt for the journey back. Letting them into there sea could either be a good thing or a nightmare, especially if there are fit girls there Franky!!!!!
Well, St Brelades was its usual self, an amazing beach with a stunning view. Shame that the only fit birds Franky saw were the seagulls we had to chase away from the boys bags constantly.
The ice cream soon dulled the pain of several going into the cold cold Atlantic water. We could hear the screaming at the cafe as the coaches tucked into the Victoria sponge and caramel slices, washed down with a warm latte or cappuccino. Unfortunately it wasn't with the shots or alcohol that undoubtedly followed the parents around whilst searching for the best restaurants and bars. With so many out here, I'm sure the bar tenders will get to know them personally and be on a first name basis - "usual sir/madam?" as they walk in the door.
Now we have returned and sorting out rooms for Inspector Gadget to go and check once the lads have showered and got all the sand out of places it shouldn't be.
The problem is, we have the karaoke this evening and listening to them practice, either in the shower or outside, is quite painful to the old ears, its like a group of cats fighting for scraps or territory. Lots of high pitched squealing and out of tune shouting. Can't wait until the fun starts after dinner. 
The daffodils return as they have to wear the lemon yellow tour shirts for dinner, an absolute magnet for ketchup and gravy!!!
The evening started with a school boy error from the young one himself. Tom J. Not only did he take ages going around for the room inspections, he left his room open. Cue the dastardly duo who decided to put his whole bed in the shower and replace it with a picture and flower!! His expression when he realised what had happened was priceless. "Where's my bed? What have you done to my bed?" followed by hysterical laughter and the culprits even showed the boys what had been done. 
I wonder who did the dreadful deed?????
Mike, Nick or Tom?
Al this before the Karaoke!!!!
Well - Who knew? Your lads can sing. All the videos will be on Instagram and probably Facebook at some point in the next day or so for parents to vote for their favourite. Even Big and Little Tom got in on the action and then there was a bonus track from Zack, Nick and Laz, bringing back all sorts of memories for the golden oldies like me (Wonderwall by Oasis). Talk about feeling your age.
There is also a bonus tomorrow night as the adults are gonna show the lads how not to play as the coaches game takes place at Springfield Stadium in St Helier with an 8pm kick off. Yes parents, the bar will be open apparently, so you can top up from the afternoons festivities or have 'hair of the dog' while laughing at the coaches trying to play football. The boys will rip them to shreds and never take notice of them again, but we all have a cross to bare. Luckily, I'm too old and fat plus have bad enough knees to be exempt from playing so will have to bare the responsibility of looking after the teams. Damn, harsh but someone has to do it. See you in the morning.
Day 4 (15th April)
Well, the boys were certainly tired and hungry when they woke up and were relatively quiet during breakfast, whether that was due to lack of sleep or too much chatting is up for debate but the minibus singing has gone down, even with the success of the Karaoke the previous night.
The quietness showed during the football, especially the first half of both games but both teams were more alert during the second half.
Emotions took over a bit as parents grabbed their little prince's and hugged the life out of them after the games. This happens when the big dog of the house (our players) have been away from the apron strings for a while. To be fair, our parents are truly great and very supportive and we love them for it. We also love the sunglasses they wear in the mornings to mask the hangover and the sheepishness when they turn up  - must be the vodka, a baby Guinness or a crisp Chardonnay. Maybe even the 1am finish!
Lunch was eaten quickly as we are walking to the swimming pool to ease the knocks and bumps from the previous games. The swimming pool was heaving as Newbury and Hackney had copied our idea of keeping warm as the weather outside was more like the north of England in January. A cold wind blew as we were walking down, some lads forgetting coats or jumpers and also wearing shorts in the arctic conditions, including the boss man. Madness not to look at the weather forecast and probably pneumonia to follow, just in time to return to school. Hopefully haha.
It was even colder leaving the leisure centre, and with drops of rain filling the air, it was group wishing that they had the minibus to pick them up, but then realising that the shops were on the way back and the lure of spending money on sweets, chocolate, fizzy drinks and mentos - even trying the challenge of putting them into the coke bottle and hoping it would explode. Didn't really happen for some reason, thankfully so. More drama was to follow, making the boss man very concerned and stressed. At the meeting time, 4 weren't there. Where were they? Apparently they had put a bag down and left it, then couldn't remember where it was and didn't go to the meeting place at the allotted time...... hence the boss was stressing and sent out a search party of Spratt and Fetters (more like a firm of lawyers). Luckily they found one of them running back to the meet point...... rule of 4 broken but found. The other 3 weren't far behind but 20 minutes late and didn't find the bag. We think it was only a towel and shorts so Mr Spratt left his number at various establishments so if they find it to give him a ring. Fingers crossed.
Tonight we have the coaches game where we see the finest players in all the Norfolk Hotel face up for personal and association pride. It begins at 8pm and at 8:05pm the first player will have need of additional oxygen and a rest. Luckily none of them smoke or 20 Marlboro lights would ease the pain. It should be funnier than a Jimmy Carr stand up show, with less ability!!
Well, wonders never cease!! We saw the best of Spratt and Johnson tonight. TJ scored his first Jersey goal courtesy of a penalty and the Big Mac got a couple, one fortunate to go through the keepers legs and the other was apparently a world but I didn't see it (Arsene Wenger moment) but I'm looking forward to seeing a video if one exists. To cap a great night for the Saints coaches, Matt Friend, who was guesting, scored and Mike comprehensively struck his penalty past the Berkshire keeper. To be fair, it was a much better game than the one we watched at Springfield on Saturday, even if the quality on show was a lot slower.
Oxygen is now required for all the players, if you count alcohol as oxygen, as I'm sure most will partake to get the nutrients back into their bodies so they can sleep tonight. Showers are great but what would they take to have a relaxing hour in a bath........... without some 11 year old boys knocking at the door, either showing diaries or asking questions. By the way, the diaries are excellent and well worth a read. The lads are worried that I wouldn't be able to read them, forgetting that I have worked in reception, year 1 and 2 previously. If I can read what they write, I can read anything. The info is all good and I did say that it's a record for them to look back on, once they are looking for stuff to take to uni and find it in the bottom of a box.  It may make them nostalgic or think to themselves that some grumpy old man stopped them eating sweets and drinking fizzy drinks at night.

Day 5 (16th April)
Unfortunately the football didn't go to plan this morning, well, not for coaches TJ and MGF. Their Jersey 25 debut with the Yellows wasn't as successful as it was supposed to be. But leaving the football aside, the sun was out on an emotional day for the boss, the lads were hugged, kissed and spoiled to death by the travelling horde of Albanians, who were planing their afternoon and evening excursions on the side of the pitch. NO MORE SWEETS or fizzy drinks PLEASE....... They have loads already hidden and they don't think we know.
It's the 3rd Alban Golf Cup at Rocco's today and the favourite and current unbeaten player MGF has returned after a year sabbatical to try and re claim his throne. Commentary will begin when we get there and end when the final putt is sunk. The prize will be worth the wait. We aren't sure who the favourite is within the youth group, but my money is on someone who shows great concentration and has the competitive edge. Someone who will cheat to win at all costs. Question is - which one of the lads has that desire? Results later.
The golf was a great success as we dodged the rain that hit the island earlier on. The even bigger success was the Big Dog came out on top, surprising everyone on the last hole to hold his nerve and take a 3 to hold off the back 9 charge of the Big Mac himself Tom Spratt. It was a glorious victory and to take the Alban Cup at the first attempt is like his beloved Luton Town winning the Premier League. Spratt took the silver, Mike took the bronze and the left handed TJ took the wooden spoon after a promising start. His new nickname is Jigsaw, as every time there was a pressure putt, he went to pieces!! There were a few dodgy scores in the boys competition as they counted double shots as singles, and acted a bit like the bandit Big Mac at the recent golf day. In 3rd was James, 2nd place went to Tom and taking the win was Freddie.
Bowling tonight and the pressure is really on Freddie as he is the current champion from the Christmas Bowling comp in Watford. 
Several scores over 100 this evening, but only one coach reached that level, but he was the only one who used the proper shoes!! He didn't think anyone would notice as he crept up to the counter and got the size 9s once all the lads were settled in their lanes. It must make the difference as Mike secured a decent 137 but could only come 2nd overall as James top scored to take the gold medal with a brilliant 144. Mike was very gracious in defeat but you could see behind the eyes he was fuming that a 11 year old had beaten him. More practice needed I feel. Get the glove and ball back out Mike and kick some a**e. haha. The Tom's huffed and puffed but were let down by the fact the barriers weren't up for them. Judging by their scores, they need the barriers up to keep the ball in a straight line and not in the gutters.
We then watched Arsenal perform above expectations and beat Real Madrid. What a result and Arsenal must be their bogey side, as Real have never beaten them and didn't look close to doing that tonight. Big players rise to big games to be fair and Bellingham played like he was a turtle with a shell on his back as Declan "Nick Foster" Rice Rice baby out performed him.
Late night so don't expect fireworks in the morning. I may return some of the sweets confiscated today that parents have given out in the last couple of days for breakfast to give the lads some energy and plenty of sugar. haha.
Anyway, the Tom's have left the building in search of some liquid refreshment, leaving the boss behind to mop up and be the control freak we all know he is. Please go gentle on them as they try and catch up. Little Tom is fragile and extremely lightweight alcohol wise. Big tom thinks he can take on the world.
Have fun out there peeps.

Day 6 (17th April)
Frustrating morning football wise but hilarious. Seeing some broken men in sunglasses on the touchline was amusing. Sounded like a good night was had. The boys are beginning to tire so it will be an early night for them this evening to try and get back to parity and normality, plus give a couple of injuries time to heal. We are running out out ice packs and Calpol, and that's just for the coaches. Mike bottled it as he was tired last night, the big boss never goes as he stays to supervise the children and one of the Tom's looked ok and the other like death warmed up. So I'm least to believe, it's round 2 today, led by Matt who seems to be the ringleader and chief encourager.
The pizza man is coming today and we head to Gorey for the sandcastle comp which is always funny. we are already on the look out for scallywags who will draw silly messages or signs in the sand. Its happened before folks...........
Luckily the boys took the sandcastles really seriously. Yes, they were excellent. The winning one was a boat which could have saved everyone had it been needed. I'll leave you to look on ?Instagram to find out who won. It was close though. The pizza was excellent and sitting in the sun, on a beach eating pizza is one of the best things own the world to do. We were right under the castle at Gorey, which is a splendid sight, especially with the multi coloured fisherman houses lined up underneath it. Tonight is our version of Mr & Mrs. Luckily I am not needed so I can write this and buy all the little eggs and presents for the boys! Yes, I'm giving them chocolate and sweets on Friday night, just ready for them to go home....... loads of sugar so they are hyper just in time for you to meet them at the airport. revenge is sweet is it not? 
Thanks to everyone for coming out this week, the whole group photo looked good and will be on social media at some point today. I think that parents have enjoyed this island as much as we have. It's a hidden gem with so much to do. 
Day 7 (18th April)
The final match day arrives and the clouds have rolled in and the rain came. That won't stop us!! We will carry on regardless and play ball, have some fun in the afternoon and then sort the rooms out ready for our departure tomorrow morning. It's been a fun week and the boys have been great company, in fact, more than great if I'm honest. Their characters have really shone through and we have got to know them so much more. Banter wise, they are sharp, they don't worry about anything, and if they do, its soon at the back if their mind and they carry on.
They are typical 11 year old boys, the rooms are trashed and most of the time, you take your life in your own hands just walking through, clothes, suitcases, shoes, boots and luckily no pants yet, but that's probably down to the fact stye are still wearing the same ones from Saturday!! I hope not and have encouraged them to change, the bonus is they don't stink much - the windows are mainly open so fresh air does creep in now and again. There is one room that absolutely hums all the time. I won't say which one but there are one of each of the twins in it. They ll blame one person, so nothing like throwing your mates under the bus!!
We play at 10:15 (Blues) and 11:15 (Yellows) in their last game here. It's gonna be emotional. No sunnies for the parents today as it's raining so they can't hide the lack of sleep or the hangover. Anyway, breakfast soon so i'll be back with more later.
The monsoon truly arrived today!! nice and calm on arrival at FB Fields, it got progressively worse. Lads powered on through the horizontal rain and gave everything on the final day. The parents at one point during the Yellows game were warming themselves up by singing "When the saints go marching in", probably in preparation for a final evening karaoke at one of the bars. Can't dance on a Good Friday out here!! Against the law. Don't want the rossers turning up and spend a night in the 3 star St Helier nick.
Hasn't been great result wise but it's not just about the football is it? the camaraderie and being mates, doing everything together, having each others backs and smiling all the time. Between the 2 sides we have played 300 minutes of football, been on 2 planes, driven the whole island in a minibus, spent numerous hours on the beach, been swimming, bowling, built sandcastles, eaten ice cream, had pizza on the beach, had room inspections, played crazy golf, had to wear a shirt and tie, written diaries, drawn pictures, had a quiz, sang karaoke songs, played Mr & Mrs, danced for a warm up with another association and made a lot of noise!
Could we have packed more in this week? Possibly but give us more hours in the day and we will. 
We haven't decided what to do this afternoon but probably visit the north of the island after lunch and explore the caves at Plemont or the cliffs at Greve Du Leq. Either way, ice cream will be had ahead of me giving them loads of chocolate to make them hyper for you tomorrow. They have to also eat all their stash of sweets before we leave. Sugar rush and pass them back haha.
The flight tomorrow is at 12:40pm so we will land at around 1:40pm. After customs etc, I would expect to be coming through around 2:15/2:30pm ish. But will keep everyone posted.
Well, we went up north and as you can imagine, it was very bleak, just like at home. Cold damp and wet. We decided that it just wasn't worth it so de camped back to the hotel, where you can imagine that all the boys sat down and wrote their daily diaries and not run up and down the corridor, shouting, playing football and banging doors!
Which do you think happened? Yep, the latter. Loud shouting, running, banging the doors and being 11 year old boys who are away from their parents. Anyway, after an hour of that, it was time to write. This time, only doing a paragraph wasn't enough. None of them have done the drawings or answered the questions. This was the next task. I have just set the task and the lads who aren't playing FIFA, there is a competition going on, have to complete the diary. To say their jaws dropped would be an understatement.  hahahahah
Gala night so they will be wearing shirt and tie. We will of course get a photo and post it.
The gala night went really well, the boys were amazing and considering they had to listen to a couple of speeches, they listened and at the end thanked all the referees and then the top table, which included the Jersey head of referees, Pat Cullinane, who has organised this event for 49 years, and Richard, the chairman of Jersey Schools FA. 
We then had our own awards ceremony, which included room prizes for certain things such as noisiest room, messiest room, and the winners of the bingo, karaoke, golf, bowling, sandcastles and MR & MRS. There was also an award for Yellows and Blues Player of the Week. Im sure the lads will update you all once they have woken up properly.

Day 8 (19th April)
Can't believe that this week came round quickly and BOOM, it's finished. Another one done, our 10th and we already look forward to the 11th visit. Thanks so much for allowing us the privilege go looking after your sons. They are a credit to you and are amazing young men, who we won't forget. They are the politest group we have ever taken away, so many pleases and thank you's, especially in Boots when we visited the town centre. The staff were amazed.
We wake them up for the last time soon and head for breakfast, before clearing rooms and filling the minibus for the journey up to the airport.

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