Thursday 27 May 2004
This weekend, 29th and 30th May, FA Premier League and Football League Club Stewards from all over the UK unite to play the game they spend so much of the season protecting. “It is a joy to host an event with nearly 500 hundred of the country’s most supportive fans enjoying the sport and friendship on and off the pitch” said Ray Dean, Co-founder of enjoyfootball.
This unique event, supported by The FA Premier League, The Football League and the PFA is now in its eleventh year. The FA Premier League Chief Executive, Richard Scudamore, made the draw for the competition earlier this month. Dan Johnson, Premier League spokesman, said: "The Premier League recognises the excellent work done by stewards at football grounds to ensure the safety and enjoyment of spectators at matches. This event celebrates the valuable contribution that stewards make to the game as well as raising money for a worthwhile cause”.
The Professional Footballers Association Chief Executive Gordon Taylor said, “On behalf of the PFA, we are delighted to support this excellent initiative by football club stewards”.
Support also comes from Carlsberg, the official Team Partner and Nike the official equipment partner.
Twenty teams including Arsenal, Liverpool, Chelsea, Charlton Athletic and Newcastle will be participating in a group stage and knockout competition, hosted this year by Arsenal. The Gunners will look to continue their teams amazing unbeaten run this season at the London Colney Sports facilities training ground, Hertfordshire.
Even on home ground Arsenal will have a run for their money with Charlton Athletic looking to take the ultimate trophy home for a third consecutive year, to sit pride of place in The Valley Trophy Cabinet again. However, with the investment at Chelsea will the Russian Revolution have an impact on the steward’s team or will Houllier’s departure take it toll on the Liverpool lads.
These aren’t the only balls the stewards are going to be thinking about this weekend; enjoyfootball will be raising money for the Everyman Campaign, which raises awareness and vital research funds for testicular cancer. So if you want to come along to support spectators are more than welcome, turn up at London Colney between 10am – 5pm Saturday and 10am - 4pm Sunday.
This year as well as the weekend tournament a select team of Stewards will be representing all UK stewards in a goodwill tour to Portugal during Euro 2004. Games will include playing stewards from one of the Euro 2004 venues in Lisbon, two second division Portuguese teams and NATO. Andrew Dean co-founder of enjoyfootball said, “The idea behind this event is to promote the vital role stewards play in football and become ambassadors for safety and sportsmanship in the game. We hope that the enjoyfootball Euro 2004 tour will lead to a potential Champions League for Stewards”.
In Brief
Event: Stewards Championship
Organised by: enjoyfootball Sports Marketing and Event Management
Hosted by: Arsenal
Date: Saturday 29th – Sunday 30th May 2004
Venue: London Colney
Contact: For more details of this event or the Euro 2004 Tour please contact: Andrew Dean at enjoyfootball on 07769 697755 or email [email protected]
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