Forty-six boys and girls, plus 19 coaches, enjoyed an action-packed football-themed weekend, culminating in the Friendship Trophy matches at Woolmer Hill on Easter Monday.
It was Haslemere Town’s turn to act as hosts this time and the club welcomed a large and enthusiastic party from the municipality of Suderburg in the district of Uelzen, Lower Saxony.
Pennants were exchanged between the teams, with Deputy Mayor David Round doing the honours for Haslemere.
Haslemere played a boys/girls side in the 10-13yrs Friendship Trophy match and put up a good performance, despite the result (11-0 to Suderburg).
It was a different story in the 14-15yrs Friendship Trophy and after the match had ended 1-1, Haslemere took the honours in a penalty shoot-out.
Various football-related activities during the exchange included a trip to the Madejski Stadium to watch Reading beat Queens Park Rangers 1-0 in a Championship match. There was also a six-a-side tournament, a five-a-side match for coaches (Haslemere won) and a skills session at The Edge.
This was the 40th anniversary of what is believed to be the oldest youth football exchange in the country. Haslemere look forward to next year’s Easter weekend in Suderburg.
• Haslemere Town Youth run 15 boys and girls’ teams and compete in the South Surrey, North East Hants and Surrey Primary Leagues.
As an FA Charter club, Haslemere’s coaches are obliged to undertake CRB checks, attend child protection and first-aid courses and to obtain at least the FA level 1 coaching badge.