FIVE MONTHS’ HARD WORK BEARS FRUIT FOR TOURNAMENT ORGANISERS

The following statement has been issued on behalf of the JOMA 2010 Tournament Executive:

‘At the end of FIVE MONTHS hard and sustained planning, the JOMA 2010 Tournament can now announce the 12 Teams who will compete in July for the  South West Challenge Cup; the Executive wants to thank all those host Clubs and local organisations, too numerous to mention, who have assisted in the overall planning of the event to date.

As we enter a new phase of the overall plan, the Executive is completely satisfied that the structure and timetable is now in place to deliver a superbly competitive pre-season Tournament, subject to formal Registration by Devon FA and the appointment of suitably qualified Match Officials. Following this announcement, the Tournament organisers will be moving ahead with Publicity/Ticket Sales and the monitoring of the host ground and training facilities for the visiting Clubs. Further updates will be issued in due course.

TEAMS now officially accepted for the Tournament are:

ACCRINGTON STANLEY FC.

BARNSTAPLE TOWN FC.   

BIDEFORD AFC.

DONCASTER ROVERS FC.

                      EASTLEIGH.                      

HAVANT & WATERLOOVILLE FC.

ILFRACOMBE TOWN FC.  

KILMARNOCK FC.

 LEYTON ORIENT FC.

RUSHDEN & DIAMONDS FC.

SHREWSBURY TOWN FC.

TRURO CITY FC.

      NB:TWO TEAMS REMAIN ON STAND-BY.

JON HAILE; JOMA UK Marketing Director commented further:

By any measurement I think we have secured a superbly balanced and interesting line-up of FULL-STRENGTH-1^ST TEAM Squads, for local supporters to see; a blend of both local teams and teams from further afield, to contest the 2010 Tournament. We wanted fresh faces; we wanted teams who had history; we wanted teams who people would not normally get to see; we’ve got them!!Our one disappointment, but still our intention looking ahead, is that despite protracted negotiations with teams in Spain, Belgium and Romania, the uncertainty of air travel owing to volcanic ash and on-going airline disputes, created far too much uncertainty for them and our selves. They are sending observers over who have more time at their disposal, to monitor and report back for next year. Now it is all down to weather and the staging of what we all hope will be a momentous Tournament and a festival of football for the real supporters.