By LEN BEARD [email protected]
Bristol City FC from the English Championship chose Barringtons in Vale do Lobo for their pre-season training.
Last Wednesday, they went straight onto the training field, hoping to go one better than last season and gain promotion to the premiership. Friday evening, July 10, they were invited to play newly promoted Farense at the Algarve Stadium, a chance for Farense to see what they will be up against in the coming season’s elite Portuguese Liga Sagres They were beaten 2-0 by a far stronger Bristol City side.
Saturday evening Sporting Braga hosted the challenge at Guia Stadium. A very strong Braga side won 3-2, but breakfast conversation on Sunday morning was all about the two very dubious penalties the referee gave to Braga! Manager Gary Johnson said he was very pleased with his team’s efforts and that they had received Portuguese hospitality of the highest calibre.
On his return to the UK, he will study the team calendar and arrange a mid season break back in the Algarve.
