The football was fantastic, the competition strong, the support from family and friends immense, and the sun shone blissfully down from the North Downs onto Brockham.

That was Day 1.

This truly was a tournament of two halves as, on Sunday, it was a case of 'hold on to your gazebos'. The winds blew in and, after four dry years, the rain tumbled incessantly - but the enthusiasm for the Brockham tournament remained undimmed. The matches were still exhilarating and the support from the touchlines remained buoyant as ever, determined to enjoy Brockham 2011 and ensure it was our best tournament yet - whatever the weather!

There were 192 from throughout the south of England, playing in 531 games over the two days of our sixth annual open tournament. The events of South Africa last summer may be a distant, and perhaps best forgotten, memory - but the now-traditional World Cup theme of the Brockham tournament was as strong as ever. Many teams gave up their usual club shirts to where the colours of their adopted World Cup country and flags and face painting were, once again, the order of the day.

On Saturday, Brockham 2011 hosted a viti from the Surrey Air Ambulance, which landed alongside the pitches, giving resting players, other mafamily members and friends the chance to visit the helicopter and find out more about its vital and life-saving work. It also provided an opportunity for fundraising - since the running costs of the Air Ambulance are entirely dependent on public donation.

On the footballing side, the elite clubs and community clubs once again rubbed shoulders and pushed each other all the way with some enthralling matches. You can see all the winners, runners up and fair play awards here.

And there was an extra reason for Brockham Badgers to celebrate. It took five years for a home team to win the tournament, when last year's U15s finally ended the wait by lifting the winners cup. The U9s ensured it was two wins in two years by clinching a tight final against Forest Youth to lift this year's new-look newly-enlarged trophy.

Tournament Director Jane Mahony says, "The fact that, once again, we have managed to stage a sports event of this magnitude and quality on a purely voluntary basis is remarkable - and a tribute to everyone involved in our village club. The near limitless source of good will from parents, families, friends and supporters is nothing short of amazing.

Together they poured 1200 cups of tea, flipped 1000 burgers, reffed 531 games, built 32 goals, erected 6 marquees, powered two large generators, and built one winners podium (as well as managing and parenting the teams - some of whom managed to get to stand on it!).

But we also have to thank the 192 visiting teams who continue to support our tournament with such gusto. And special commentadtion for endurance goes to all those who came along on the Sunday, braving the near non-stop rain whilst continuing to partcipate competitively and in good humour to ensure we still had an enjoyable and punctual event."

Our Tournament T Shirts may still be drying out, but we're already making plans to do it all again next year. Brockham 2012 will be our seventh annual event. Dates are provisionally set for 16th and 17th June 2011.

This year's event was fully booked with long waiting lists. Several age groups were full within days of general registration opening. All teams who took part this year or were on the waiting list are already on the Mailing List for next year - and in pole position to get advance registration details for Brockham 2012.

If you didn't take part this year, but would like to be added to the Mailing List and receive Registration Details as soon as they are available (mid-January 2012), please send an email to info@brockhambadgersfc.co.uk.

We hope to see you there!