It was a dreary morning on 17 May that saw everyone arrive at the appointed time of 07:30 - even Dickie wasn't late! While the drizzle did its utmost to dampen the spirits the 'field' that gathered it had little effect, as this year numbers were swelled by some welcome old chums, especially the 'Brat-Pack' of Dover, Tredge & Downey. In fact word had got about over recent weeks and other first-timers to appear for this event were Matty Bright and Richard Trett. And to top it all off, along comes Coxy (with his supa, doopa, digital, take-pictures-of-anything, state-of-the-art camera) as official photographer. Incidentally, full acknowledgment of all photos used on this website goes to our beloved, now-rotund keeper!

While everyone was mingling about - like meeting for hockey in years past - Wally's Transit came into view. Being the victor of 2002, it would be customary that Wally would provide the 'beverages' before the start. There was a slight air of awkwardness... principally because Wally didn't partake - he didn't visit the barrel - he didn't touch Mr Floppy juice. So everyone waited with baited breath (except Wat who had foreseen such problems and was busy chucking a San Miguel down his throat)... Since this custom had begun, such liquid delicacies had included Guinness, Newcastle Brown and alcoholic Irun Brew... so what would it be this time...? Ribeana? Lucozade? or some of Wal's favourite - Shandy Bass? The waiting was over... The rear doors of the van were flung open to reveal a couple of cases of real beer! Not only that but he'd done 'old customs' up like a kipper - he had a proper camping stove, along with all the right stuff for bacon butties! "Hurrah for Wal!" And there he stood, as proud-as-punch (albeit a non-alcoholic blend), sporting The Grim Jacket, as if daring anyone to take it from him (if anyone had, though, they'd have a tough time as the end of the sleeves were nestling cosily next to his elbows).

While everyone was licking their lips, from the depths of the van jumped Ozzie - all the way from Canada! This came like a sudden blow to 'young Ian' who had regularly staked the claim for 'longest drive' since he'd been coming all the way from Newcastle.

So, not only 'watered' but fed as well, the draw was made for teeing off. With an across the board 'cut' (three-quarter handicap) for the event the field assembled... One-by-one the scorecards were drawn from the hat. It wasn't until the last card appeared that co-organiser Wat found that he'd neglected to put his own card in! So after the tension of FA Cup-Cup 2002 Wat was drawn to play along with Dodger once more!

As the previous winner, it would be Wally to lead the way, driving from the first wearing The Grim Jacket... And away they went.

The conditions of the day were not the best ever seen on an FA Cup-Cup day. With light rain and a bit of a breeze the course would play longer than normal... It would take a hardened competitor to come through as victor (Sorry, Tim's paid me to write this stuff!)...

And so it proved to be... Had they had known it, four players were tied at the turn on 19 points and it could have been (almost) anyone's title, but it took a quality 'back-nine' by Tim to turn the tables.

So the prize giving went something like this...

Wayne Morris

Event withdrawn; as those responsible for placing the 'Tin' forgot. Then to add further insult - they drank it!

Paul 'Chizzer' Chisnell

Tim

Tim

Ozzie

PS - can anyone remember the footy score?