PETWORTH ANTIQUES DEALERS enter charity football competition

On Saturday 7th September Petworth Antiques and Decorative Arts dealers association (PAADA) entered the National Antiques 5-a-side football tournament for the first time.  Upon arrival, it became clear to the squad of 7 local dealers that they were the St Bernards of underdogs.  Teams from Sotherbys, Bonhams amongst others, all turned out in professional kit, and posessed the devastating combination of talent, fitness and the desire to win.

Having lost the first game heavily, the Petworth team huddled together and devised a damage limitation strategy and it went like this:  

- Michael Brace (Hut Antiques) - most likely goalscorer, hover around the halfway line.

- Everyone else - mark up and TRY no to give the other side an inch (OK, yard).

The next three results were a gripping 4-4 draw against a very physical team, a 3-2 victory against a very good team, and a 3-3 draw against a thoroughly nice set of lads.

Punching well above their weight, the PAADA boys in black had done enough to finish joint second in their group and were granted an albeit brief shot in the Plate tournament.

John Fairweather (Kiki Design) and Michael Brace were by now rules out of the squad with injury (Michael learnt later he had fracture is arm and wouldn't be able to lift any furniture for a while), and the writing was on the wall from there.

A thoroughly enjoyable day had by most, better results that we could have hoped for, and monies raised for The Haven (breast cancer support centres) and now some very sore knees!  Next year anyone...?

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