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At Turn Key we’re all about working together as a team. So when the opportunity arose to take part in a charity Euro 2012 tournament for St Martin’s Hospice we jumped at the chance to show off our team skills.
The boys (Nik, Mike, Sean, Christian, Derrick, Oliver and Darren) dusted off their football boots and headed on down to the new Lucozade Power League stadium in Seacroft. Representing Croatia we were feeling confident – what did it matter if many of us hadn’t played football for a few years? Or in Christian’s case hardly ever kicked a football!
We arrived in our mix matched old shorts and t-shirts and ready for a nice friendly kick-about – until we spotted our competition all suited and booted in branded corporate colours.
The first game against the Republic of Ireland kicked off with a promising start with some fancy footwork from Sean, Nik and a free kick from Mike scoring our first goal. We even had a good defence with Darren (aka Safe Hands) in goal and Derrick playing as sweeper, so the confidence started to grow.
Next we were up against Spain. With two goals from Nik and some power shots from Sean and Oliver we were in with a chance. But unfortunately we couldn’t hold them off as Darren went all Gordon Banks on us to save a goal and broke his wrist in the process – real dedication to the cause!
Team Turn Key (aka Croatia) may have been at the bottom of the league but spirits and morale stayed on top, despite the injury – with Mike remaining optimistic at 7–1 down and spurring the team on with “Come on guys we can still win this!†as another goal flied into the goal.
A disallowed goal from Nik – apparently flying headers aren’t allowed in a five-a-side – meant we bowed out of the competition, but we did it with our heads held high. Team Turn Key did Croatia proud by remaining positive and playing well as a team right until the end, and most importantly we all had a great time while raising money for a great cause.