STAGS R.F.C. - Welcome to the home of the Ayios Nikolaos Stags R.F.C., Cyprus!!

 

Wednesday 25 April, 2001
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Saturday 21 Apr. The Stags have finally got out of the gates and are now officially on tour. It all began with a few drinks in the Green Door Bar of Larnaca where passers by could not fail to be impressed by the collection of lads all kited out in Tour tracksuits. It was then off around the corner for an excellent meal which was followed by entertainment by a local chap who was only too happy to change his line-up to cater for request and even managed a duo with Kerry Rosser doing Delila, (funny old thing). After another quick beer in the Green Door it was off to the airport to check in on the first leg to Prague. It was at this point that Matt Starmer finally said goodbye to his girlfriend, some 3 hours into the official start of the Tour, no doubt a court will be held later on to see how to deal with this heinous crime.

We were unable to fly direct as Bulgarian airlines had gone into receivership some weeks before. Arriving in Prague we had a few hours to wait for our tour guide, out came the ball and our first training session was underway outside the airport. Quite possibly hundred of press-ups were dished out for dropping the ball with Pickles and Woody seeming to get the most.

Our tour of Prague began with a trip to Saint Vitus Cathedral, a place of pilgrimage for all Czechs at least once in their life and the biggest Cathedral in the Czech Republic. With some incredible works of stained glass containing over 16,000 pieces we passed the Mosaic of the Last Judgement onto Golden Lane containing some incredibly small houses dating back hundreds of years. So small were the houses that only Kev Cooney could make any use of them. After a walk we stopped for a panoramic view of the Town of Mala Strama (the lesser town) and the Church of Saint Nicholas. Down through the town we passed over the Charles Bridge, the backdrop to many films including Mission Impossible. After an excellent meal of Goulash and Dumplings and local beer (and a quick sing-song), we passed through Wenslaslas Square to catch our transport back. A quick flight to Sophia saw some outstanding displays of power kipping, which meant we could all dump our bags in our hotel rooms and retire to the top floor bar for a quick nightcap. On arrival at the airport we were met by Nikolay Kolev, President of the National Sports Academy of Sophia and coach to the sides we would be player later