MUFConTour's VirtualTourist Home Page

Anybody who takes the time to read my pages and tips will find almost all are related to European trips following Manchester United or England. I'd like to include my "other" club Darlington, but let's be honest, despite former chairmans "Honest" George Reynolds bold statements - its never going to happen. Never the less over the past twenty years or so whether its been on the rollercoaster of the highs (and albeit too many) lows of England or the camaraderie of Man Utd, culminating in that glorious night in May 99, travel and football seem a match made in heaven!
Its almost always been in the company of the same hardcore bunch of lads, and European and World Cup draws are eagerly anticipated and watched with no emphasis on the qulaity of opposition, purely on decent places to visit.
These have included, Sardinia, Italy and France with England; France, Spain, and Belguim with Man Utd.

I've also included a brief "tour" of my home Sedgefield, Tony Blairs "spiritual" home, with the only racecourse in County Durham, home of the annual Shrove Tuesday Ball Game, and with 8 pubs in its centre well worth a visit!

One of the benefits of following the greatest team on the planet is your assured of European travel each year (sic). I used to love following England abroad, but after going to the Champions League final in 1999 that changed - I'd always followed Man Utd home and away for many years in England but that was my first time abroad - and since then I try to take in at least one away trip per campaign, though its really dependent on who we draw, as our trips tend to be 5 day driving trips, only Sparta Prague was different, as we like to take our time enroute!
A brief outline of places visited

Barcelona - a favourite for obvious reasons, but a bloody long drive and didnt have enough time to look around
Bordeaux - THE favourite, a great city and a great trip
Copenhagen - Bloody expensive! And a sea crossing from hell!
Brussels - A bland sterile place, definitely my least favourite city
La Coruna - A real gem of a place
Prague - A beer drinkers paradise, if not a bit too touristy
Lille/Lens - Lens is no picture postcard town but plenty of character
Amiens - Great for stopovers
Chantilly - Beautiful Chateau & surrounding area

Ive always been very patriotic regarding England, and the footballing fortunes are no different. One of the biggest mysteries however is why, back in 1982 when i was in my middle twenties, that I never made it, or even vaguely contemplated going to, the World Cup in Spain. In 1990 in Italy however it was something that was always going to be on the agenda, and even FIFA's ploy to exile us on the Island of Sardinia, was never going to stop that trip. I found Sardinia a breathtaking Island, staying in a villa in Santa Teresa De Gallura at the Northern most tip it meant a 6 hour drive to Cagliari for the 3 games but that just made for another ingredient of a fantastic 2 weeks - Beaches to die for!
After going home I returned a week later, courtesy of winning a work related incentive, to the Italian mainland staying in the coastal resort of Gaeta between Rome and Naples, taking in both Semi finalsin Naples and Turin, the third place play off in Bari, and the Final itself in Rome. Other trips with England include Le Tournoi 97 and the World Cup 98 both held in France

Sedgefield village is famous for its Shrove Tuesday ball game. This tradition has been kept for over 1000 years.

According to custom, the parish clerk was obliged to furnish a football on Shrove Tuesday, which he threw into the market place, where it was contested for by the farmers against the tradesmen of the village and surrounding area.

The tradition is still maintained and kick off takes place on the village green at 1pm. For the several hours its either a mass free for all kicking the specially made leather ball, a liitle larger than a cricket ball, around the village square, or diving into the nearest pub following one of the several "hijacks" of the ball, whereits taken to neighbouring village pubs. The winner is decided, after 4pm, by whoever throws the ball into the designated beck in Spring Lane in the village, manages to retrieve it!
(dont wear your best Burberry or Armani clobber) and then gets back to "alley" or pass the ball 3 times through the bull ring on the village green.
This may not seem to be as dangerous say as the running of the bulls in Pamplona, but believe me, dont be fooled!
Shop windows are boarded up beforehand, St John's Ambulance men are on standby, and any poor soul who mistakenly should happen to drive into the village centre, is liable to need a visit to the panel beater should the ball find its way under the vehicle. The police for years in the 80's and early 90's tried to put a stop to it but, hey, this is history, and now they watch on warily. To win the ball game is a great honour for any native of Sedgefield ("Foreigners" participate but never win!) and a plaque of previous winners can be found on the wall of the Hardwick Arms Pub