University World Games leaves its mark on Simon Gregory (From Wilts and Gloucestershire Standard)

University World Games leaves its mark on Simon Gregory

LOCAL soccer player Simon Gregory, from Fairford, found the whole University World Games extravaganza an amazing experience.

He set off for Korea with the GB squad in early August, following a number of good pre-season results against strong opposition that included Sheffield United, West Ham, Birmingham and Charlton.

On their arrival at the airport, they faced hundreds of cheering Korean fans and were given a police escort to their five-star hotel.

They had ten days to acclimatise before moving to a brand new athletes village, similar to an Olympic village, that was home to 7,000 athletes for three weeks.

The team played a number of warm-up friendlies against Korean university opposition who set an extremely high standard.

And although fully tested, GB managed to win all three fixtures.

In the competition proper, GB were drawn with Morocco, Mexico and the Ukrain which was by far the hardest group.

Their first test was against the Mexicans and, despite the unbearable heat and humidity, they deservedly won 1-0.

Just two days later they took on Morocco but lost 1-2 on an even hotter day with temperatures reaching 37deg C.

Their final group match was against the Ukraine, the second favourites, in a must-win encounter to reach the quarter-finals.

In what was a close affair, GB won 2-1 and Simon was presented with the man of the match award.

In the next round, the Italians proved far too strong for them.

After going 2-0 up in just 20 minutes, they shut up shop and GB were limited to only three chances.

Nonetheless, Simon was impressed with the whole event played out in a 30,000-seater stadium.

He said, "National anthems were sung before every game, we couldn't leave for training without being pestered for autographs and pictures and were treated like celebrities by the local community.

"In fact, we returned home as the most successful GB delegation ever." The news was not so good for Simon on his return home to play for his Fairford Town FC club.

For in his first match, which was against Carterton, an injury left him needing 12 stitches in a cut above an eye.

After making a full recovery, his next game was away to Pegasus Juniors where he sustained another injury and was put out of action yet again.

Now back to full fitness, Simon, who graduated recently from Swansea University, is hoping to be back playing for Fairford soon and looking forward to aiding their progress in the FA Vase.