KHIST fans team make debut abroad
In celebration of the KHIST fans team team’s upcoming ten year anniversary the team took to the road on Friday morning for a different type of away trip. A party of 27 left Aggborough at 6.45am to compete in the IX European Supporters Cup in Barcelona with a bit of culture and socialising thrown in for good measure. 
The scene was set early on when on the trip down to Bristol airport ‘director of football’ Dave Pountney warned everyone upon handing out the football kit that it would be their responsibility. Jon ‘Smudger’ Smith, obviously concerned he may lose his kit, took the matter into his own hands and proceeded to wear his full kit (including shin pads and boots) on the plane!
Upon arrival in Spain the team were met by worse weather than back at home but continued their journey onto the the nou camp. Most were in awe of the surroundings although several members of the squad were unable to follow directions and missed 3/4 of the tour! Smudger, still in his full kit, was unable to get a game on the pitch.
The fans team finished their journey at the plush four star hotel next to the beach in high spirits. After a quick pit stop the whole team went for a group meal obviously full of carbohydrates (and prawn shells in Ebbers case) washed down by plenty of fluids in readiness of the tournament. 
Most relaxed on the beach Saturday morning as the weather improved and departed for the excellent San Pacracio facility on the outskirts of the city. Pete Lewis and Dave Williams met up with the party to give the Harriers a healthy 25 man squad. KHIST had entered two sides called ‘Kidderminster’ and ‘Harriers’.
The ‘Kidderminster’ side included players who had made their debuts 2001-2005 whilst the ‘Harriers’ side included the more relative newcomers of the squad. In glorious sunshine the team were met by what looked like the Spanish national side raising fears that getting in at 5am may not have been the best preperation.
The Harriers side were first up and similar to the Champions league final the English side were given the run around suffering a 5-0 defeat to hosts U.D. San Pancracio. Next up for a lesson in football were the Kidderminster side who were well beaten 3-0 by A.E. Despi. The passing and movement of both Spanish sides were of a different quality to what any fans team had ever met before.
After the first game Kidderminster learnt their lessons and adopted a 4-5-1 formation against A.D.C. Lacoma and after parking the bus in front of the goals gained a creditable 0-0 draw with Dave Ackerley producing a late wonder save. However Harriers gaffer Ollie Sewell decided that attack was the best form of defence adopting a 2-4-4 formation and were beaten 3-0. 
With both sides finishing bottom of the group it was left for the KHIST sides to meet to avoid the wooden spoon. With plenty of banter it was the ‘experianced’ Kidderminster side that proved too stong for the young pups with Chris Lacey and Dave Pountney getting the goals before a late Ollie Sewell consolation.
Despite the defeats all had a great day at a good facility against ameatur Spanish teams that played the game the right way. After arriving back at the hotel it was left to veteran Ian Danby to entertain some of the squad with his tales and another late night.
The Sunday was a free day so as the majority of the squad took in some culture, it was left to the ‘wolfpack’ to sleep off another late night. On the afternoon the team met on the beach for a game of football with Beckie Pountney, Morgan Nock and Jon Taylor the kings of the sand.
After a final group meal the team left for a final night in the centre of Barcelona to celebrate Ollie Sewell and Richard Millington’s birthdays. After a sing along in a few bars and a very late night most of the team were suffering on the 11am departure from Barcelona.
A fantastic way to celebrate the ten year anniversary and a weekend that will live long in the memory and liver. Here’s to another ten years!
Good luck this weekend to the team who travel up to Manchester to take on Hull City in the semi final of the IFA British Supporter’s Cup.
Weekend Photo’s
