COPA

I can’t hide it, five years later, I am still a football fanatic. I died a thousand deaths with “my” Manchester United, my Gillingham, my Real Madrid etc yet again this season. United made some progress, Real Madrid failed to take silverware and Gillingham finished mid-table after relegation had looked a possibility. I still follow Norwegian football and laugh at the failings of Arsenal. So all my birthdays came at once when I found the COPA Football Store directly opposite the west entrance to Amsterdam Central Station.

It is a veritable Aladin’s Cave of football shirts and I was delighted to meet the charismatic Angelo on my first visit. I explained my love of football shirts and my trips to all the 92 clubs in the UK. Angelo is a massive Napoli fan and we had a great 15 minutes talking about their greats such as Maradona, Cavani, Higuaín (ex Real Madrid) and, of course, Rafa Benítez.

I found that COPA was founded in 1998 when a football addict started with a small collection of traditionally produced heavy weight cotton football shirts and the collection has grown ever since. Nowadays the collection consists of different lines with retro shirts, jackets & pants, football inspired printed T-shirts & sweaters, baby shirts, functional football apparel, recycled bags and footballs.

Another important reason for European production is that COPA is committed to sustainability and cares about the working conditions of its manufacturing employees. Therefore, all COPA garments are produced with the best possible fabrics and production techniques, and are created by motivated workers who are fairly paid for their dedicated work.

COPA products can be found in retail and online shops as well as this their flagship store in Amsterdam.

I was also delighted to learn that COPA sponsors The Dutch Amputee Football Team. Good luck to the team and respect to COPA to reaching out to not so famous! On their website, there are dozens of photos of the “good and the great” of World football weaing COPA shirts. It was great to see their support of this team. I was privileged to attend the Blind World Cup in Hereford, England in 2010 whilst on my Doing The 92. I know how much these still-able players love the game. Let’s support them!

To learn more about COPA, its products and ethos, please visit the Copa Football website and their Facebook page

In all honesty, I could have stayed all day but I was off to the play-off game between FC Volendam and FC Eindhoven at the tiny Kraas Stadion 20 kms away from town. This is to decide promtion/relegation to/from the top Dutch League, Eredivisie. Instead of 60,000 at Wembley, there were 3500 in this compact little ground which would probably have looked good in the English League Two. Nevertheless one of these teams MIGHT play Ajax and PSV next season. The route is to win this home and away tie and then win another two-legged tie next week. So, a big prize on offer.

The football was probably League One standard but the fans were enthusiastic and created a good atmosphere. The away team had probably 500 very noisy followers who sang for the full 90 minutes ……. in English! Dexy’s Midnight Runners have never run so far! Quite bizarre. The game was pretty even but Volendam went ahead in the 67th minute before tragedy happened and Eindhoven equalised in the 91st minute. Football has its own Fat Lady and Volendam sneaked a winner with just about the last touch of the game. So, 2-1 and now we will have to see whether that is enough to carry them through the return.

I wish them well…… all in all a thoroughly enjoyable day!

Five Years Ago Today

Yes, five years ago today my tour started. It was an early (4am!) start too as I had to get to a BNI meeting way across town from where I was staying. Over the next four months, I will do a weekly round-up of that tour with its many highlights and the, inevitable, looooooooows. I’m delighted to say that I am still in touch with many of the people who supported me all those years ago and I’ll try to update you all on how they are doing.

Tomorrow, I am off to FV Volendam play FC Eindhoven in the play-offs from the Juniper League to the Dutch “premiership”, the Eredvisie but today it’s back to my roots as I interview Manon who has a most remarkable project in Amsterdam. Yes, the need for the support of refugees is as great as ever and equally we are still collecting shirts. A recent arrival was from Globexs and I have one promised from Lopoca in Belgium. Please don’t hesitate to shout if you have one to donate.

Five years later

Yes, it’s already five years just about to the day since I set off in May 2010 on my tour of 92 league grounds. It all began at Crystal Palace in a most unfortunate way. It was the day they went into liquidation and there was nobody to welcome me! It finished almost four months later in much happier circumstances at West Ham United where I was given great treatment and even allowed to cycle around the pitch. Some 120 days where I experienced some of the highs of my life and some of the worst moments.

Now five years later I am going to look back on the tour with a week by week overview. I hope that you will follow me just as you did in 2010. Why? Simple. Firstly because I value your friendship and more importantly because the cause of the refugees is still close to my heart and 45 million (and growing) people need your help. THANKS.

So, today’s the day. Back in the saddle in earnest for a three day tour of Lanzarote. My trip is confirmed – a tour of “The Rock”. 25/27 April Starting & finishing at Sun Park, Playa Blanca.

I’m off to Macher, Tías, Playa del Carmen, Playa Honda, San Bartolomé, Arrecife, Costa Teguise, Uga and Yaiza (among other stops!). Shout if you are on the route and want me to say “hi”! Thanks to Mike and Julie at www.lanzaroteinformation.com for their terrific support. Appreciated, amigos.

HUGE HUGE respect and THANKS to Papagayobike who rescued me at the last stroke! They have supplied the perfect bike at minutes’ notice!

You will be hearing a LOT more about www.papagayobike.com in the days to come, I assure you.
!!Nacho, eres la leche!!

Papagayobike

At Papagayo Bike we provide you the best service for bike rental on the island of Lanzarote 365 days a year. Anything you need, we will be there for you. Our experience, bikes and human team make our force, joining quality, assessment, amusement, security and a wide range of bicycles ensure that we can completely fulfil your requirements and wishes. We are dedicated to cycling and we have been operating in Lanzarote since 1998.

We have two centres on the island, one in Playa Blanca and another in Costa Teguise. We invite you to visit this unique island and explore the exceptional sunshine cycle it offers.

Excursions and tours

Our team knows the island like the back of our hand. Let us surprise you and we will show you the very best that Lanzarote has to offer.

Come and meet our experienced staff who will detail the numerous routes for mountain-biking and road-biking. Follow the the famous Iron Man route on one of our high end race bikes or get an off-road experience in the volcanic areas. Lanzarote is well signposted to improve your experience.

Costa Teguise located in the Northeast of the island, is the perfect place to start any road excursion or mountain excursion. You will find major climbs in the Tabayesco where you can do good training and enjoy marvelous sights when approaching the “Mirador del rio”. For the family you will find a beautiful seafront connecting Arrecife, Playa Honda, Puerto de Carmen and Puerto Calero. Papagayo Bike will attend all your cycling requirements whether at our base in Playa Blanca or in Costa Teguise.

From the base of Playa Blanca, situated in the southern tip of the island, the landscape is just extraordinary. You have the nearest access to The National park of Timanfaya, El Golfo, Los Hervideros, Los Ajaches, La Geria and much more. You will be able to make unforgettable trips on mountain bike or road bike …..or simply join us on one of our excursions.

See our website for full details.

I am delighted to confirm that we will be holding a Selfie Day at four bars in Playa Blanca, Lanzarote on Saturday 19th April between 12 noon and 6pm. Come down to Wax, DJ’s, Mollies or a Plaice in the Sun and have your picture taken and raise money for a great charity.

I am asking the customers at DJs, Wax, Mollies and a Plaice in the Sun to wear their team’s shirt and take a selfie. If you haven’t got a camera or a shirt, don’t worry we can help! The photo together with your name and website url/greeting will be displayed on www.theshirt2010.co.uk Please wear your colours with pride!

As a one-off we are supporting the Sir Bobby Moore Fund for Cancer Research.

I am asking everybody to donate 1 euro. My target is to raise 2000 euros for the charity so I need 2000 photos. After this weekend I will be asking all my friends and family to support me. THANKS in advance

Come down to Wax, DJ’s, Mollies or a Plaice in the Sun and have your picture taken. It’s going to be a fun day with prizes and surprises.

The Bobby Moore Fund is part of Cancer Research UK and raises money to fund life-saving research into bowel cancer, the disease that World Cup winning captain Bobby Moore died from aged just 51 years old.

Funded entirely by the public, your donation will help the Bobby Moore Fund change the odds so that even more people survive bowel cancer in the future.

If you’re a UK taxpayer, please remember to tick the Gift Aid box when donating as this will increase your donation by at least 25% at no cost to you.

One day we’ll make Bobby proud and beat bowel cancer. Please help us make it sooner by clicking here.

All of us involved with the Shirt are delighted to see that on this Friday, April 11th the Sir Booby Moore Fund has organised a Football Shirt Friday where people are urged to wear their team’s shirt and make a donation. This actually is very similar to something I was about to announce but in respect to the great man, I will promote his first.

Visit here for full details.

Elvis

Well, it’s not every day that a Legend of Rock supports The Shirt.

Today, the man himself proved that he is alive and well and living on a small island off the coast of Tennessee called Lanzarote. He dropped in to entertain the Sunrockers and whilst he was here he sportingly posed with the shirt. He kept everybody entertained for more than two hours and I can sing back to him, “You are always on my mind” as you will be while I do the hard yards around Norway. Great to have met, young sir.

Get on your bike and join TEAM GFC for the ultimate Charity ride this summer

Read more here 

My friends in Sun Park Living in Lanzarote made sure that I moved into spring with a new hairstyle. I think the last time I did not have hair was 1956! Still, it was for a good cause!

Laura has been busy!

Cycling in Lanzarote

Steve’s trip is confirmed – Cycling in Lanzarote – a tour of Lanzarote.

Three days – 11/13 April

Starting & finishing at Sun Park, Playa Blanca, Lanzarote.

Steve is looking for private sponsor’s to support him on his epic journey around Lanzarote. Every €uro raised will be donated directly to The Kennel Klub. We will be preparing sponsor forms to leave in the usual places, The Bookswap PDC, The Cutting Room Tias, The Carvery PDC, Geppetto’s Tias, La Cabaña Macher, The British Cafe Costa Teguise and the car boot sale every Sunday at Lanzarote. Alternatively you can donate via PayPal to thekennelklub@outlook.com. Every € helps – if 500 people donate just 1€ that will raise 500€. If 50 businesses (below) donate 10 euros that means we raise 1000€ in one weekend.

To give you an idea of what we can do with that money:
5€ pays for one dog to be safe in private kennels for 1 day
10€ pays for a dog to be vaccinated against life threatening diseases.
15€ pays for a dog to be microchipped, reducing the chance of it ever being abandoned/lost again
50€ pays for a male dog to be castrated reducing the amount of unwanted litters.

BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY

If you have a business in Lanzarote and would like Steve to make a stop at your shop, bar, office etc. please let us know. This is a fantastic opportunity to advertise and promote your business at the same time as helping us to raise funds. For just 10€, Steve will stop at your business and be photographed on the premises. The photos will be publicised all over the internet on social media sites such as FaceBook, Twitter, LinkedIn Google etc, as well as on various prominent websites such as www.thisisspain.info and www.hotcosta.com . Steve is also offering a full page advert for your business on his own website www.thisisspain.info – all included in the one off payment of just 10€ (yes!)The usual price of this is 150€!!!

Special thanks are due to Julie and Mike at www.lanzaroteinformation.com without them the trip would not have been possible!

If you would like any more information on how to donate or would like Steve to stop off at your business please contact us at thekennelklub@outlook.com

Full details of the event here