Arsenal International Soccer Festival

We would like to take this opportunity to thank you for wonderful tournament, you were wonderful to our boys and there still can’t stop talk about you.

Knebworth Youth F.C.

Just a quick email to say that all of our travelling party, parents and players, had a really enjoyable afternoon at the Arsenal International Festival yesterday. As a tournament organiser myself, I know how much time goes into preparing, planning and actually running these events over the week/weekend and everybody did a fantastic job. The games all ran to time (which I think is important when you’re at these events for a few hours!) the referees were tremendous (especially the girls by the way), and all of the games were played in a good spirit and the competition was tough with some good quality teams once again.

GLENCOE United FC

Once again what a superb festival 2010 was. Well run, superb facilities and an excellent AISF team.

Well done to you all.

Guildford City Lions

Just wanted to write to thank you for a fantastic tournament. All our boys thoroughly enjoyed attending and playing.

Meadway Youth

Just a quick note to say thank you from our players, parents and especially myself, for holding such an excellently organised and controlled Tournament. All aspects from start to finish through venue, referees, coordinators and participating teams were excellent. We have not only succeeded in this tournament but more importantly we have made a vast number of new friends and contacts.

Once again thank you for all you’re and your teams hard work.

New Windsor Ospreys

From all at New Windsor Youth F.C. many thanks for yet again a fantastically run tournament.

Again, sporting, professional officials and friendly Pitch marshals and organisers made for a great week.

Hope to see you next year for your 21st!

Old Parktonians, South Africa

Once again, thanks for everything - the boys and parents had such a fantastic time.

A few of the comments we received after the 2009 Festival:

Well we have all finally arrived safely back in South Africa, and would like to take this opportunity on behalf of Old Parks to thank you and your team for yet another splendid tournament and another fun filled memorable visit to the UK. As always you seem to surpass yourself with your organisational skills and the smooth running of a truly tried and tested product - the AISF. May we take this opportunity to also wish you all the very best of luck, health and happiness for the remainder of 2009. OLD PARKTONIAN AFC

It has been 2 years in a row that I have come back to the festival and I must say that it is indeed a wonderful experience for everyone associated with the soccer festival. The staff of Golden West Sports are extremely helpful and fun loving and are always ready to help anyone in need. The boys had a wonderful time in England especially at the Emirates Cup. On behalf of TATA Tea Jaago Re Soccer Stars, I would like to thank the organisers for a fantastic week of fun and football and we do look forward to coming back again next year. TATA Tea

From the Boys and I, we want to say "Thank You" for having us in your tournament this year. We came to England to have a Great Time (Which we did!) and play some competitive soccer. The location was Great, the Staff friendly, and the competition good. The boys knew coming in that they had to play 1 and 2 touch soccer to have success and it got them to the final. They really enjoyed the juggling competition (they had fun clapping, dancing and cheering!), and the flag ceremony. But, mostly, they really enjoyed playing soccer in England. This is an experience that will last them a lifetime. So from the Boys, the Parents, and Myself, Thanks for the Memories Gold Coast Xtreme U-19 Finalists and Fair Play Winners! 2009 Arsenal Festival

I want to thank you all for the warm hospitality I received and please extend to your entire team my appreciation for the perfect organization, as well for the outstanding level of relations with all teams. I strongly hope to be able next year to find a sponsor that may support us in bringing at least one team, because I think such an event is an opportunity for boys to learn not only about football but about life an behaviour, on a wider aspect rather then our own limited perspectives. Thanks again and say hello to everybody. Ciao Renzo

I just wanted to drop you a line to say a big thank you to you and all your team for a superbly run event last week. All our boys enjoyed the competitive games and have learnt loads about the step up they will have to take in the year ahead through playing in the event 1 year up. I would also like to ask when we can apply for next year’s event, because we would not wish to miss out on the best pre season tournament it the South of England. Cove Youth FC

We would like to thank you both on an excellent 8 days of football, all players, parents & managers enjoyed it. We hope we will be invited back next season. Tornado JSC

Thank you very much for an enjoyable week the boys totally enjoyed the week, all the staff were very friendly and helpful. Can you possibly send me an application form for next years competition as we would like to enter the under 15's competition. Reading Rangers

I didn’t get a chance today to thank everyone for yet another great tournament. The standard seems to get better and better. You really have this tournament stuff down to a tee, well done. Sevenoaks Town

We just want to say massive thanks from all of us from Inter Ditton Youth, all the boys had a great afternoon on Sunday, what with a great tournament, I can only imagine the amount of work that goes in to a tournament like yours, and everything was done so professional as you would imagine from a prestigious event. Inter Ditton Youth

We would just like to say that we have had a great day again today. Hope to see you again next year. Cornard Dynamos

A few of the comments we received after the 2008 Festival:

I just want to let you know how much we enjoyed our time with you and your family this past week.

Golden West delivered on ALL accounts, and the Arsenal International Soccer
Festival was truly a terrific experience for everyone.

Once again, thank you for all your help and attention to details!

Cheers!
-Kevin, on behalf of London Juventus CE Boys.

Hi, today was our last game, and it was the greatest experience of my life. I made a lot of really good new friends in the past week, everything was perfect.
Thanks a lot for this opportunity I loved everything about it, except you could at least make juice for dinner instead of just water but other than that it was great.
Jose Vivanco, Fort McMurray FURY, Canada

Just a quick note to thank you and all involved with the tournament for everything you did. The Blizzard boys enjoyed themselves, saw some great football and had experiences that will stay with them a lifetime. Their second week in the west country went well; tied 2-2 with Plymouth, the good form came a week too late.
This coming weekend I am at two fundraisers for our 94 team who are already saving hard to make the trip the next year, so hopefully see you next year. Big thanks to Bill & Betty for making us all so welcome
-Alan (Calgary Blizzards)

THANKS TO ALL INVOLVED IN LAST WEEKENDS TOURNAMENT ONCE AGAIN A SUPERB EVENT WITH THE MINIS OUR UNDER 7'S PLAYED 4 GAMES AND NEVER LOST 1 AND AS YOU KNOW THE U10S TWICE WENT TO PENALTIES IN THE QUARTERS AND SEMIS BEFORE LIFTING THE TROPHY IN A 2-1 FINAL.
SPECIAL THANKS TO BILL,PAUL,DAVE AND BETTY APOLOGIES TO ANYONE MISSED IM SURE AS YOU KNOW HAVING BEEN INVOLVED IN ORGANISING LOCAL TOURNAMENTS IT CAN OFTEN BE A THANKLESS TASK AT TIMES .
NO COMPLAINTS FROM US THOUGH
-TONY GIDDINS (HIGHFIELD JUNIORS, BICESTER)

Yes we had a nice journey home and a very nice experience in your tournament. This tournament is something we will recommend for another football team.

-Ole-gunnar Braathen

A few of the comments we received after the 2007 Festival:

I am writing to thank you both for providing a wonderful experience to our boys.
It was the first Festival of its kind which the Team has participated in and
everybody concerned (Players, Dads and Mums, Brothers and Sisters, Relatives and
Friends) had a really enjoyable day.
- Lisvane Panther's Under Eights Football Team

South Africa & the Bidvest Wits U15 team to thank your family & the Golden West
staff for a wonderful festival a few weeks ago. We are still training & playing league
matches & there is not one session that goes by without a mention or a
good laugh about our trip to London.
- Ian Wedderburn BIDVEST WITS UNDER 15 COACH

I was really impressed with the running of the tournament and the high
quality of sportsmanship and football on display.
- Wright Choice in the under 9’s UK

Just a short to say a HUGE thanks to you for a great AISF this year. All
the South African players & accompanying families had a great time!
- Mark Axon, South Africa

I would like to thank You and your team for the fantastic time we had
at the Tournament last week. All the arrangements for the tournament
and our sight seeing trips had been perfect and all of us did very much
enjoy the week. The atmosphere on the Tournament was fantastic and
it was very nice to meet so many nice people from all other the world
during the tournament.
Uwe Winkler TUS Germany

Thanks for the invitation and hosting us. My son enjoyed his time in London
plus the experience of playing international teams. His team got the 3rd place
medal of U13. Thanks for making half of his dream come true. He stepped
into London's Arsenal Stadium. He is a big fan of Arsenal Team. In 2004 on
transit to USA, I bought him an Arsenal T-shirt. Later on he told me he will
one day wear the real Arsenal T-shirt.
- The Flying Eagles from Texas

Many thanks for the time we spent at the Arsenal tournament.
The boys & parents had a great time and it was even more enjoyable this
year as we managed to win the plate final. I look forward
to seeing you next year.
- Horace Nelson (Cobham U15's)

I am watching the exciting game between Arsenal and Chelsea. Your team is leading 1-nil. I am living in Florida now, in Naples. Retired from school teaching. I do not know whether you recall the years I brought Diamond Express to your wonderful tournaments, but I do.

Watching the game reminded me of the times we spent with you and just wanted to say hello.

- Nicholas Mohacsy (Diamond Express)

A few of the comments we received after the 2006 Festival:

‘Well done! A great tournament all round, again!!’

– Elaine Smith, Colne Valley Ladies – UK

‘We enjoyed ourselves thoroughly and appreciated everything you
did for us. I will recommend the tournament and would love to come
next year’

– Michael Sharda, Wexford United - Canada

‘ A big thankyou to all of your team involved in organising the
Festival. It was a great success and all teams concerned
seemed to enjoy it’

– Nigel Edgecombe, Thorpe Green FC – UK

‘ We had a lovely time, witnessed some excellent soccer played in the
best spirit I have ever seen. I was impressed by the organisation
and top quality refereeing. We hope to be back next year’

– Des Stilling, Aller Park Juniors – UK

‘I don’t think that words can describe how much we appreciate
what you and your team did to make us feel welcome at the festival
and the organisation was fantastic’

– Shalom Liav, Galilee United – Israel

Sounds great and I will work on bringing a team back to the festival,
The team had the best time there and I think it is one of the best
experiences young soccer players can have.
- Bill

PRESENTED BY GOLDEN WEST SPORTS