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English Premier League Tour April 15th to April 23rd 2006

'Live the Dream'

Saturday April 14th

The group all arrived into London this morning. A hotel check-in, brief orientation by PSG Tour Director, Nick Roberts and the tour has begun………enjoy the trip!

Fulham 2 Charlton 1.

Fulham V Charlton. Former Columbus Crew player Brian McBride waves to the crowd

Another fine home display for Fulham produced an entertaining game to an enthusiastic crowd. The group watched USA favorite Brian McBride who spearheaded the home team's attack and Jonathon Spector played right fullback for Charlton and played a steady game. The Columbus Crew former midfielder Simon Elliot was also on the field, but substituted early into the second half.

The game was a tight tactical affair between the two sides. Charlton started brightly but Fulham were first on the score sheet through Boa Morte as his near post free kick caught Charlton by surprise and exposed some terrible defending from set pieces. Charlton immediately responded with a flurry of chances and Jason Euell flicked home a long range shot to level the scores. Although Fulham looked suspect at the back, Boa Morte produced a dazzling goal after a strong run ended with a clinical finish after a neat flick on from McBride.

The second half was much the same as the first and Charlton made a last push for the equalizer in the final 10 minutes. Two brilliant saves by the Fulham keeper Niemi in the final minute was the highlight to the second half and the factor in Fulham gaining all three points. After the game the group returned to the hotel and found local eating establishments (The Dickins Inn) welcoming to England's capital.

Sunday April 15th

The group watched the changing of the guard at Buckingham Palace

The day started off with a picture outside our hotel that is looking over the scenic and historic London Tower Bridge.


The group spent the day touring London. The first stop was The Changing of The Guard at Buckingham Palace. We then proceeded to The Houses of Parliament, Westminster Abbey, Big Ben and Parliament Square. The group then traveled north to the Covent Garden area of London. Great markets and shopping, street acts and truly a unique place to hang out and soak up the atmosphere of yesteryear. We ended up back at the hotel in early evening rest to get some rest after a long day touring.

Monday April 17th


Greetings pre-game

Chelsea 3 Everton 0
Stamford Bridge was at capacity for a potential championship game. Spurs needed to beat or tie Manchester United for Chelsea to need three points to capture the premiership for the second year running.

Chelsea fans were glued to the TV sets around the stadium hoping for a favorable result. Spurs were no help to the Chelsea cause and duly lost 1-2 to Manchester United.

With the disappointment of the early result from White Hart Lane, it took Chelsea some time to get to into the game. Everton looked lively in the early going, and surprisingly pressed Chelsea and looking dangerous on the attack. However, after 28 minutes a lack luster lost tackle from Cahill saw Drogber win the ball and run at the exposed defense. A pass to Lampard and typically the midfielder fired home from outside the box. From this point Everton were never in the contest... Drogba finished the next goal with a fine header from a Lampard corner, but was helped by sloppy Everton defending.


Chelsea celebrate another goal, on the way to their second premiership title

Essien showed his quality with a fine individual effort to seal the 3-0 win. But with Man United beating Spurs at White Hart Lane it left Chelsea still needing one point to lift the trophy. Next home game is against Manchester United - very interesting…..

The rest of the day the group spent time enjoying the sights and dining in the fantastic city of London.

Tuesday April 18th


Early morning departure for the North! The tour stopped en route to Manchester at the historic town of Stratford upon Avon and the birthplace of William Shakespeare. Later that day a quick hotel check-in at The Britannia Hotel in the city center of the lively and jumping city of Manchester.

Wigan 3 Aston Villa 2
With little time to rest we were off to nearby Wigan to see Wigan V Aston Villa. The game proved to be a highlight of the tour despite being overshadowed by attractive fixtures at Chelsea and the FA Cup Semi! The game was a classic battle, with both sets of fans constantly jeering each other with some good banter throughout.

Wigan looking the better tan throughout the first half went ahead after a classic volley from Bullard on 25 minutes. Villa didn't offer too much with the exception of the hard working but clearly frustrated Baros up top.

Villa decided at the start of the second half they would at least put some effort into the two hour drive up the motorway. This attitude worked and Angel leveled the scores in the 53rd minute. Wigan had no plans in letting Villa back into the game and Camara struck well with two quick goals on 56 and 60. It would be reasonable to imagine Villa should pack their bags and head home from this cold northern England night. But to our surprise that put Wigan under a flurry of pressure and Ridgewell pulled another back on 67 minutes.

Villa kept the waves of attacks coming and game turned into a nail biting affair. The final whistle came and both teams had produced a great battle, and Wigan had survived the night.

Wednesday 19th April


Behind the scenes tour at Old Trafford

The group had chance to relax in the morning and then met in the hotel lobby at 12:30 to tour Old Trafford, Manchester United's Theatre of Dreams! The tour was extensive behind the scenes full of stories form today and yesteryear. The stadium, the press rooms, players lounge, locker rooms and the dugouts.

One welcome surprise as the group was being overviewed on the tour, Sir Bobby Charlton and Ole Gunner showed up to film a TV advertisement. Polite as ever they stopped by our group to say hello. It was a nice addition to the tour.

From Old Trafford we departed for Birmingham to watch a tense relegation battle as Birmingham played Blackburn. It was a cold rainy night in the midland and Birmingham needed the win or it was lights out for Premiership football next year. The crowd was into it from the start. Robbie Savage was the obvious target of abuse from the crowd. Our seats were on the first row and the group enjoyed the proximity to the field and players. Especially for the fact the Brad Frediel was in the nets for Blackburn.

Birmingham FC 2 Blackburn 1
The game was a battle! And it was tight throughout the first half. Blackburn was the better team and Birmingham looked shaky at the back. However, despite this it was Birmingham that produced the best chances of the half forcing keeper Frediel to make two great saves in the goals.

Birmingham got the breakthrough on 60 minutes as Nicky Butt scrambled a goal to take the lead. Blackburn immediately responded with a goal from villain Robbie Savage in the 78 minute. Everyone in the crowd was thinking we were heading for a 1-1 tie. However - Forssell appeared form the bench to slam home the winner on 87 and Steve Bruce gets a lifeline! The atmosphere at the end was terrific. Once again Robbie Savage was on the end of some of the celebrations from the Blues fans.

Thursday 20th April 2006

Day off for the group. Traveling and on the road for the past week the tour has been a huge hit, but singing and shouting at the games has taken its toll! The day will allow the group to spend tome to go shopping and get some much needed rest and ready for the last three days.
Friday 21st April 2006


The beautiful and intriguing roman City of Chester

The group took time to visit the historic Roman City of Chester. Built over 2000 years ago and one of only two cities in The UK to be surrounded by Roman Walls. The City of Chester is a unique and relaxing environment, full of beautiful and historic architecture from previous centuries. This trip is always a highlight of PSG tours.

In the afternoon we took a 45 minute drive to visit the ground of Liverpool FC - Anfield. Liverpool one of soccer's most storied clubs has been Britain's most successful club winning five European Championships. The team are the current European Champions after one of the best finals ever when they beat AC Milan in Istanbul in 2005 on penalty kicks.

The tour and museum were a treasure trove of football history from some of the greatest players and coaches who helped shape football in the modern world.

Saturday 22nd April 24
FA CUP SEMI FINAL DAY

This day was the most anticipated day of the tour. The FA Cup Semi-Final hosted at Manchester United stadium - Old Trafford. A sold out crowd of 68,000 spectators on hand was guaranteed to create a wonderful atmosphere.

Liverpool 2 Chelsea 1 - FA Cup Semi Final 2006
Chelsea came out early and set about to attack Liverpool who had aligned themselves into a defensive 4-5-1 formation. Chelsea playing a 4-4-2 were clearly the favorites. After 10 minutes and Liverpool absorbing the Chelsea pressure the reds began to look the more comfortable and organized. As the half progressed Liverpool started to string a series of sweeping attacks at the Chelsea goal. After 28 minutes they were rewarded when the referee awarded Liverpool a free - kick on the edge of the box. Up stepped Reise and placed a left footed strike past the diving Chelsea keeper.

After the half it was clear that Liverpool were the better team, more organized and possessed the ball with confidence. In the last 10 minutes of the game Chelsea decided to have a go to get back into the game. It worked and they put Liverpool under pressure but Joe Cole had a fantastic opportunity to level the scores but he blasted over the bar form 5 yards out. The referee blew the final whistle and Liverpool are into the final.

The atmosphere at Old Trafford was electric and the highlight of a trip that displayed some free flowing and attacking football. The group departed to hotels for an early morning return to The USA. Great trip and great memories and we "Lived the Dream!"

Comments

"I loved the games and tickets. Enjoyed the sight seeing. The staff were great. I look forward to the next trip. Loved it. Thanks for everything."
- John Steele, New York.

"The games and tickets, oh man you can't beat this. Excellent, much more than I expected. The staff was awesome, everyone was cool and knowledgeable as well. I had the time of my life."
- Darren Walters, Maryland.

Click here for the Columbus Crew Fan Tour Review April 2005.