Pub goes Dutch with fun friendly (From Kidderminster Shuttle)

Pub goes Dutch with fun friendly

10:07am Sunday 11th March 2007

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AN international football friendly is taking place in Wolverley thanks to an expat who played for the village's pub team during the 1990s.

Members of the Queen's Head pub side are tackling 24 visiting squad members from VV Bavel in Holland, at Mill Lane on Saturday.

Former Queen's Head player, Simon Robb, joined Bavel's fourth team after moving to Holland, in 1999, arranging the friendly with the Wolverley pub team's player manager, Matt Hackett.

Mr Robb said: "I'm a little confused. Part of me wants the Queen's Head to put in a good display and to say this is where I'm from' but the other half wants me to show this is where I've got to now.'"

The Dutch side are staying in Birmingham for the weekend and driving to Wolverley, on match day, before travelling to watch Aston Villa take on Liverpool at Villa Park on Sunday.

Mr Robb added: "It's going to be interesting to see what will happen. I think it'll be a close game.

"I think the Queen's Head are fitter and have got more stamina but we've got better technical ability."

Organisers are hoping the game will raise cash from visiting spectators for the Queen's Head's 16-member Sunday league squad.

Mr Hackett, said: "We'll definitely beat them.

"But we're really looking to raise some money for the club because we've already helped different charities, including the Jackie Jennings Appeal."

He added the game could be the beginning of a permanent partnership between the two teams with a possible return trip to Holland next year.

Refreshments will be available from the pub's bar along with bacon and sausage sandwiches, before and during the match, and spectators are welcome. The kick off time is 1.30pm.

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