The Wanderers help commemorate Middlesex FA's 125th

Middlesex Wanderers line up with the Middlesex County FA Squad before the match played at Hayes and Yeading FC on Sunday 18th May 2008 to commemorate the 125th Anniversary of the Middlesex FA.

The game was keenly contested and resulted in a 1-1 draw. Wanderers took the lead on 30 mins and looked like holding on the a victory but Middlesex equalised with just 3 minutes left in the game.

The Wanderers congratulates Middlesex FA on achieving 125 years service to football in their local community.

Middlesex Wanderers Association Football Club Tour to Tanzania 4th – 13th June 2007

I Met Peter Kinyange, a Tanzanian businessman with strong connections with the Tanzanian Football Federation. After some discussions about the workings of the Club Peter undertook to investigate the possibility of a tour to the East African Republic of Tanzania. Early in 2007 he contacted me again, I met with him and two colleagues and the tour was arranged.

David Palmer and I went to Dar Es Salaam early in March to make the arrangements and the tour went ahead.

The following squad of players was selected.

The touring party met at the Abbey Business Centre at Longford near Heathrow during the afternoon when all necessary kit and clothing was distributed. The overnight flight to Dar Es Salaam (via Doha) on Qatar Airways flight QR002.

On arrival at Dar Es Salaam we were met by a charming lady Teddy Mapunda of the Airline who assisted us through the rigorous exercise of baggage reclaim and customs. Then we were met by Allan Kalinga, tour sponsor, and Peter Kinyange and transported to the Blue Pearl Hotel which was to be our base for the duration of the stay.

We encountered our first problem upon arrival. Initially it was stated that our matches would be played in the new National Stadium which was being built for Tanzania b y the Chinese. The new stadium was not complete and the old stadium adjacent thereto was not usable. We were told that the games would have to be played at the ‘nearby’ town of Morogoro. The National team also had the same problem as they were due to play Zambia whilst we were there – that match too being staged at Morogoro.

The first morning of our stay we travelled to the Headquarters of the Tanzania Football Federation for training. On arrival we were met by a huge crowd who were watching the national team train in preparation for the match with Zambia. Many of the spectators, including some of the management of the national team, remained to watch our training session.

Thursday was, perhaps, the most rewarding day I have had since becoming Club Secretary. We undertook some training and educational sessions. Eddie McCluskey delivered the equivalent of a Level One course whilst I had the pleasure to deliver a day seminar for referees.

Initially we had two games scheduled. Young Africans – the National Champions, and Simba. Both clubs are from the capital Dar Es Salaam and are extraordinary competitive rivals.

Friday 8th was our first game. We travelled to the ‘nearby’ town of Morogoro which turned out to be 200 km from Dar Es Salaam where we met our first opponents – Simba. It was very close encounter. Wanderers took the lead on 30 minutes when a free kick from all of 30 yards taken by Anthony Quinn of Queens Park completely deceived the Simba goalkeeper. Wanderers held out until the 73rd minute when Simba equalised. The game should have been won for the visitors just before the end when The Wanderers had a great opportunity but just failed to convert.

Final score: SIMBA 1 MIDDLESEX WANDERERS 1

Saturday was a day off when we travelled to Mkwame National Park – a national game reserve some 300 km from Dar Es Salaam for a most interesting, if long, day viewing the various species of animals in the wild.

Sunday 10th June saw us return to Morogoro for the second match against Young Africa (YANGA). Upon arrival we were surprised at the level of support that there appeared to be for the Wanderers. We discovered that the supporters were of Simba whom we played previously and who had come to cheer us on against their arch rivals.

I mentioned the rivalry earlier in this report. YANGA refused to use the dressing room that Simba had used and were also unhappy that the colours we were playing in were similar to those that their rivals used. Wanderers played very well. Graham Evans gave Wanderers the lead mid-way through the first half. Yanga equalised in the second half before Ciaran Kilheeney scored the winner ten minutes from time.

Final Score: YANGA 1 MIDDLESEX WANDERERS 2

The defeat of Yanga by the Wanderers made sporting headlines in national papers so much so that a rich benefactor to the Club issued a challenge for another match against a Zanzibar Select team to be played before we returned to England. A report of this match by team manager Eddie McCluskey appears below.

We returned to England on 12th June on the overnight flight again via Doha arriving early on 13th. A most memorable tour which broadened the horizons of the Club. Many new friends were made and in particular Allan Kalinga who was appointed as a Honorary Overseas Member.

Keith Masters
Honorary Secretary
June 2007

Click here to see the report of our 2005 tour.