End of season footy!

02 December, 2009 | 20:12

Pic: James Auckland's team

Long before the tennis season had finished, plans were hatched by a lot of the British players for a season ending football match at Roehampton. And eventually, after weeks or negotiation over everything from player drafts to team selection and tactics, they got round to playing.

This wasn't just any old kickaround though. Look carefully at the scene in the blue dressing room prior to kick-off and you'll see why...

Andy and Jamie compare thoughts on tactics for the match whilst skipper James Auckland (pen in hand) scribbles notes on their flip chart. Jamie even cranked up his ipod for the authentic pre-Premiership feel. Amusing scenes.

An hour later, they walked out onto the hallowed astroturf at Roehampton. They were actually going to play on the grass pitches, but after the wettest November in recent memory, they had to make do with the plastic...

And here's their opposition for the day. You might recognise a few of the faces in there: Colin Fleming, Ross Hutchins (intense smile), Jonny Marray, Matt Little. Oh, and some bloke called Tim Henman.

For their part, Andy and Jamie had ex-pro Robbie Earle on their team.

Thing is, you can prepare as professionally as you want, but if football isn't your first sport, it usually starts at a hundred miles an hour with little quality. And that's pretty much what happened.

Ross Hutchins had spent a few hours practicing headed clearances in the build-up, and he Alan Hanson would have been proud with this initial challenge with Earle.

Meanwhile, from the sidelines, the skippers compare notes on the early exchanges.

Andy (blue team skipper) recovered from an early penalty miss - Matt Little making a save he'll be dining out on for years - to play a major part in events.

But it was FC Delg (including Jonny Delgado, here) who made the brighter start, as Tim Henman's early goal helped them to a half-time lead.

It prompted a bit of soul searching from the opposition, (notice Jamie in chin scratching mode), and they would start, and finish the second half the stronger....

FC Delg extended their lead initially, but Andy and Jamie's side kept in the reckoning with some solid defending.

This is probably the only photo of Jamie heading the ball taken all match. All year actually....

Slowly but surely, the blue team came back into it with two goals from Andy. FC Delg had started brightly with Henners up front, but their attacking edge began to fade in the latter stages. Still, as the clock past 90 minutes, they led 4-3..

That was until Andy chalked up his hat-trick with a looping finish over his fitness trainer and 'keeper Matt Little. Cue the classic 'sprint from everywhere to celebrate with goal scorer' scenes....

The ref blew his whistle seconds after the re-start, and one side looked a little happier than the other...

They couldn't leave it as a draw, so it went to penalties. Skupski and Little in the sticks for the big showdown....

Sadly for Matt Little, his heroics in goal didn't extend beyond regular time, and it was Skupski who made the crucial save for the blue team. That set up Robbie Earle with a chance to score the winning goal.

He did, and you probably won't see a plastic medal kissed with more affection this year...

No surprise that they want to do it all again next year...