Fast course finder:
‘Old Farm’ Derby Day at Otley
[02/03/2010]As supporters of Norwich and Ipswich contemplate whether or not they will be facing each other next season, in a little corner of Suffolk, the passion of derby day was alive and well.
Whilst the first team’s regular battles have taken an enforced break, competition between the two clubs was on display as around 120 youngsters aged between 8 and 12 lined up against each other in a selection of seven-a-side ‘old farm’ derbies.
The all day competition was hosted at Otley College in Suffolk.
A series of 30 minute games took place throughout the day, and as the 400 or so spectators were cheering on their favourite sides, the idea was to give players from the player development centres, the experience of a competitive match.
“Honours were about even,” said section leader for sports, Paul Appleby.
“Whilst results are important, at this stage of the youngster’s development, it is more about getting the basic techniques right in a match situation.”
“It’s not beyond the realms of possibility that some of these youngsters will end up in a real Ipswich versus Norwich derby day game at some point in the future, so it was great to see the potential stars of tomorrow strutting their stuff at our facilities.”
Active Projects Manager from the Ipswich Town Community Trust, Trevor Cox, said, “It was a bitterly cold day but any game between Ipswich and Norwich is guaranteed to warm you up.”
“It was great to see the youngsters enjoying the day and we hope to be able to come back to Otley next year.”