Winchester City's Friendship Tournament.
With no World Cup or Euro Championships to keep football fans occupied this summer, at least there will be international football to entertain the people of Winchester.
On the weekend of July 20-22, Winchester City will host the biggest footballing occasion in the city since the FA Vase success in 2004, when visiting teams from the twin cities in France and Germany will visit the Denplan City Ground for The Friendship Football Tournament.
The programme kicks off on Friday (July 20) when officials from all three cities will arrive at the City Ground by vintage bus in time for the official opening at 7pm. This will be followed by the curtain raiser, when Winchester City will take on German visitors, TS Giessen-Wieseck.
On Saturday, club sponsors, Denplan, will field a team in a charity match against a Tournament XI' at 3pm. This will be followed by the meeting of the two continental sides at 6.45pm, US Laon v TS Geissen-Wieseck.
US Laon come to the tournament fresh from their success in the French FA Cup last season when they reached the last 32, including a tie against league champions, Lyon. After taking a sensational 1-0 lead, Laon eventually lost 3-1, but were certainly not disgraced.
The tournament concludes with a full day on the Sunday, starting with a display by Southampton FC's Sport for the Disabled' at 10.30am. This will be followed by a ladies' match, Winchester City Women taking on Southampton Saints at 1pm. The grand finale will be at 4.30pm, when City will take on US Laon, followed by the prize-giving.
Throughout the weekend, there will be plenty to entertain all ages at the Denplan, with sideshows, trade stands and a full range of refreshments. There will be children's activities during the day, and a bar and barbecue in the evenings.
Tickets on sale this weekend.
The first chance to buy tickets will be this Saturday (July 7), when the football club will have a stand in the Brooks Centre, Winchester (11am-3pm).
Tickets will be on sale for each day or, at a discounted rate, for the entire weekend. Also, look out for the vintage London bus outside Marks & Spencer with full details of the tournament. The bus will also be in position again next Friday (July 13) and on Wednesday, July 18.
Tickets are also on sale every day at the Tourist Information Centre and the Hampshire Chronicle offices. Tickets can be obtained by phoning 01962 854525, or you can buy online at the club's website, www.winfc.co.uk.
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