Cascadia will train at Barnet FC’s Hive Stadium
It’s almost as if the heavens knew they were coming. On the day the bulk of the Cacsadia team arrives in London, the heavens have opened and thunder and lightening rend the air. If only they had come a day sooner, the London heavens shone down on north London as Coventry and Exeter battled for promotion at Wembley on a fine day.
Coach Jim Nichols arrives this afternoon ahead of a planned training session at Barnet FC’s Hive Stadium tomorrow. He and his goalkeeping coach Stuart Dickson will meet the bulk of the squad for the first time this evening at their Colindale Hotel.
By tonight, almost the whole squad, including captain James Riley, will be in London. Their first task will be to get to know each other, then try on the kit before talking tactics. Elgin City forward Calum Ferguson arrives from Scotland tomorrow and then the 23 men who will fly the ‘Doug” on the international stage will finally be complete.
After their first and final training session before Thursday’s opening match with Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man), they will have to endure a CONIFA media evening. Prost Amerika will be there to talk to some of the squad including Nichols and Riley and get their thoughts on the eve of the big opener against the highly fancied Manx side.
The ConIFA hierarchy are already looking forward to the start of the games.
“We are excited to be able to host our largest ever tournament in Greater London, not only the historic home of the beautiful game but a vibrant and international city that welcomes people from all corners of the globe,” said CONIFA President, Per-Anders Blind in a press release. “With some teams based in the United Kingdom, some having large diaspora communities here and plenty of neutral favourites, we are confident of support from the London community.”
For all Nichols’ frustrations at driving through the traditional roadworks that accompany England’s motorways, his travails are insignificant compared to some, according to CONIFA General Secretary Sascha Düerkop.
“The teams have worked tirelessly to get here. Tuvalu are flying 15,000 kilometres from Funafuti to London, while Matabeleland have used crowd-funding to finance their participation.”
CONIFA is the international football confederation for teams not part of FIFA. Its members include states, partially-recognised states, regions, minority groups and sports-isolated territories. CONIFA is a strictly politically neutral charity, and is run by volunteers. The 2018 World Football Cup is CONIFA’s biggest tournament yet, bringing together 16 teams to battle it out over 48 matches across 10 stadiums.
“After months and months of planning, it is hard to believe the tournament is about to kick-off,” Düerkop continued.
“We are so grateful to everyone that has turned an ambitious idea into an amazing reality: all our tournament sponsors, including naming rights partner Paddy Power; our army of volunteers; wonderful host clubs and stadiums; committed teams who have made it to London; and all the fans who will come to watch teams putting their hearts and souls into playing football on the international stage in such a wonderful location.
“As with all big sporting events, the fans make it, and we are ready to welcome everyone for a tournament of great football and an unbeatable atmosphere.”
Abkhazia, a partially-recognised territory claimed by Georgia, will be looking to defend their 2016 CONIFA World Football Cup title. Padania (Northern Italy), Ellan Vannin (Isle of Man) and Northern Cyprus are among the other favourites. Tibet, Matabeleland, Kabilya, Cascadia and Tuvalu are among the teams making their CONIFA debut. Barawa, a region of southern Somalia, are the official tournament hosts; as the Barawa FA is a diaspora group based in London.
Prost will be live tweeting all Cascadia’s games from London. Please follow us here.
