On Wednesday 14 March a football match with a difference will take place at the Immigration Holding Centre Gosport, where a team of local Council officers will take on staff and detainees from the nearby Immigration Holding Centre.
Staff at Gosport Borough Council regularly take part in golf tournaments and cricket matches when playing for the Mayors XI. But when it comes to football things are not so good, with only an occasional friendly 5 a side taking place.
Now all of that is about to change, with a ‘proper’ football match arranged between staff from, and detainees residing at, the Haslar Holding Centre and those of Gosport Council.
The game, which will kick off at 2pm on Wednesday 14 March, will be held at the Holding Centre, Haslar, Gosport.
The idea came after an approach from the Holding Centre. They knew the Town Hall put forward teams for a Mayors X1 in other sports and wanted to know if they had a football team. Although the Council didn’t have a team, volunteers quickly came forward and a match arranged.
Officers playing for the council include chauffeurs, admin officers and Democratic Services Officers, who are more at home taking minutes than kicking a football.
Never the less they are keen - and they will need to be - as the opposing team includes 4 Physical Training Instructors, 4 Wardens plus detainees residing at the centre.
“I’m not saying that perhaps we are not all up to speed fitness wise at the council, but lets just say that we will be having rolling subs on the Mayors Select XI team,” said John Green, Head Chauffeur for the Council and organiser of the event. “I will blow the whistle to start the game, but I’m not sure how long it will be before my sub, league referee Chris Arkell, needs to take over.”
Guests invited along to watch the match include Chairman of Gosport Borough Football Club, John Stimpson, and First Team Manager Alex Pyke.
“Well who knows, they may be looking for new talent, added John. No, joking aside, we’re sure this will become an annual match between the Council and the Holding Centre and we hope it may kick start football matches with other organisations, much like the current Mayors XI golf and cricketing events,” added John.
