Sporty dads set for reunion football match

A sporty group of dads from Maidenhead are warming up as they prepare to take part in a football match with a difference.

Setting off tomorrow, Richard Phillips will be joined by 24 friends, all from the Furze Platt area, as they travel to Munster in France to compete in a reunion football game.

They will be competing against Richard's former friends from when he played for the IECS business school football team while studying there for a year in 1983.

"It is much more than football," said the Courthouse Road householder. 

"It is a real chance to catch up with people and make new friendships."

Dad-of-three Richard came up with the idea for the match more than a year ago when he pitched the idea to Olivier Eck , one of the few former French classmates he had kept in touch with over the years.

After more than a year of getting everybody together Richard is hoping the match on Saturday will be one to remember.

"We are all ready for it," said Richard who is married to wife Kathy.

"We are taking it quite seriously, some of the dads are very competitive. If we end up loosing they will be devastated."