I was recently in Northern Bangladesh as part of a project looking to build cheap floodproof housing. While we were over there the local builder, who was leading our work, had just set aside some land to be used as a football pitch for local kids. He wanted to have a bit of an opening ceremony for the pitch so organised a match between us lot and a local youth team. I thought I'd bring over a Caley Thistle ball over and spread the good name of the mighty ICT that little bit further!
We thought this would just be a bit of a laugh and a kickabout but soon found out from the local gossip that it was getting built up as a big deal for the local villages - mainly due to the fact that we had been billed as International Superstars - must have been a let down, expecting Ronaldo and not even getting Kirk Broadfoot! Walking the couple of miles from our building site to the pitch set the tone, initially we had about 20 folk walking along the path with us which quickly grew to a couple of hundred. When we came through the trees into the clearing for the football it was absolutely incredible - it was like walking into a festival.
Pre-match crowds
International Superstars!
The opposition - bunch of ringers!
Action Shot! Can just about see the caley emblem on the ball... Barefoot as well, you don't realise how hard football is without boots till you try - well that was my excuse anyway
After the game we were told that an estimated 5000-6000 people had turned up for the match. Roads were blocked for miles and people were rafting across the half-mile wide river to come watch! I reckon that makes it the third biggest attendance for a game involving a Caley Thistle ball this season!
And by the way, we won 1.0
Anyway, I was wondering to what other faraway places has the good ICT name been taken to? Flags in Brazilian Pubs? An Ian Stewart shirt in deepest Transilvania?!
I was recently in Northern Bangladesh as part of a project looking to build cheap floodproof housing. While we were over there the local builder, who was leading our work, had just set aside some land to be used as a football pitch for local kids. He wanted to have a bit of an opening ceremony for the pitch so organised a match between us lot and a local youth team. I thought I'd bring over a Caley Thistle ball over and spread the good name of the mighty ICT that little bit further!
We thought this would just be a bit of a laugh and a kickabout but soon found out from the local gossip that it was getting built up as a big deal for the local villages - mainly due to the fact that we had been billed as International Superstars - must have been a let down, expecting Ronaldo and not even getting Kirk Broadfoot! Walking the couple of miles from our building site to the pitch set the tone, initially we had about 20 folk walking along the path with us which quickly grew to a couple of hundred. When we came through the trees into the clearing for the football it was absolutely incredible - it was like walking into a festival.
Pre-match crowds
International Superstars!
The opposition - bunch of ringers!
Action Shot! Can just about see the caley emblem on the ball... Barefoot as well, you don't realise how hard football is without boots till you try - well that was my excuse anyway
After the game we were told that an estimated 5000-6000 people had turned up for the match. Roads were blocked for miles and people were rafting across the half-mile wide river to come watch! I reckon that makes it the third biggest attendance for a game involving a Caley Thistle ball this season!
And by the way, we won 1.0
Anyway, I was wondering to what other faraway places has the good ICT name been taken to? Flags in Brazilian Pubs? An Ian Stewart shirt in deepest Transilvania?!