MFC ladies North Korea trip wins worldwide friends

BORO Ladies football team have returned from North Korea with “memories to last a lifetime”.

The team returned to Teesside in the early hours of yesterday following a four-day visit to the secretive the communist country.

MFC Ladies manager Marrie Wieczorek told the Gazette: “The trip was fantastic. We had an amazing time.”

Marrie, skipper Rachael Hine, 23, and team member Shannon Bewick, 17, had remained in London on their return to appear before millions television.

The 14-strong team and three coaches were invited to East Asia by the British Embassy in recognition of the strong bonds Middlesbrough has shared with North Korea since the 1966 World Cup.

The visit marked the 10th anniversary of diplomatic relations opening with the UK - and cemented a friendship that has lasted over 40 years.

And despite losing two matches against local teams, Marrie said they were “touched” by hospitality they received. She said: “They were so friendly and warm it was unbelievable.”

The travel-weary team arrived last Saturday and by Sunday they took to the pitch. With just one TV channel, an incredible 23 million viewers saw Boro go down 6-2 against professional Korean women’s team, April 25. And bad luck continued when they were beaten by Galmaegi 5-0 on Tuesday.

Marrie said: “Everybody was saying you got beat but we played with professional teams so they were super-fit and fast. It would be the same as us playing against Arsenal or a top team.” Marrie said the stadium was packed with 6,000 people. She said: “We went out to warm up and waved to the crowds and they clapped and cheered. At the end of the game we ran round the outside of the field and they were leaning forward shaking our hands. It was brilliant and that’s my overriding memory - the warmth and friendship.”

Another highlight was meeting three surviving members of the 1966 Korean team, who famously beat Italy 1-0 at Ayresome Park.

Marrie said: “They were really lovely. We presented them with Boro shirts.”

During their stay the team also coached schoolchildren and visited the British Embassy to hand over a letter from MFC chairman and owner Steve Gibson to the Korean people.

British ambassador Peter Hughes told them: “These girls met more Koreans and shook more hands in five minutes than I have in two years.”

The trip attracted media interest worldwide. Marrie said she was told a picture of the team had even appeared on the front of the USA’s Washington Post.

She said of the trip: “I think the girls will remember it for the rest of their lives. They have all be very touched by it.”

Gazette Live

Second defeat for Middlesbrough team in North Korea

Middlesbrough Ladies football team suffered a second defeat during their ground-breaking tour of North Korea, state media said.

The squad was invited to the secretive country to reinforce a relationship formed at the 1966 World Cup when North Korea played in Middlesbrough.

On Tuesday, Kalmaegi beat the Middlesbrough side 5-0, according to the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA).

They also lost their first match 6-2 against April 25.

The Middlesbrough team arrived in the capital Pyongyang on Saturday.

As well as the matches, they went to a reception hosted by the British Ambassador Peter Hughes and surviving members of the 1966 World Cup squad, KCNA said.

BBC News

English women's team thrashed in N.Korea

SEOUL (AFP) - The Middlesbrough women's team got off to a losing start in their "friendship football tour" of North Korea on Sunday, official media in the isolated country said.

A North Korean women's team, April 25, thrashed the visitors 6-2, the Korean Central News Agency (KCNA) said, in a game marking the tenth anniversary of the opening of diplomatic relations between the communist North and Britain.

April 25 is the anniversary of the founding of the North's powerful military.

An unlikely bond was formed with the English town when North Korea beat two-time world champions Italy 1-0 in Middlesbrough at the 1966 World Cup, creating one of the biggest shocks in the tournament's history.

Middlesbrough women arrived in the capital Pyongyang on Saturday for the tour, which was due to end Wednesday.

Middlesbrough Ladies coach Marrie Wieczorek earlier said North Korean officials had invited the team to Pyongyang on a sporting and cultural exchange, during which they will play two local teams.

yahoo.com

Middlesbrough ladies to visit North Korea

MIDDLESBROUGH Ladies will embark on a once-in-alifetime football trip later this month when they travel to North Korea for a twogame tour.

A group of 14 players and three coaching staff will travel to the North Korean capital Pyongyang between September 18-23.

The trip, which was the suggestion of the British Embassy in Pyongyang, will celebrate the special relationship that was forged between Middlesbrough and North Korea during the 1966 World Cup.

North Korea beat Italy at Ayresome Park in one of the biggest upsets in World Cup history, and the North Korean players became firm favourites on Teesside as a result.

The surviving members of the 1966 squad – including Pak Do Ik, the scorer of the winning goal against Italy – will meet the Middlesbrough Ladies team during the tour, which will feature two friendly matches and a series of coaching sessions with local children.

MFC Ladies manager Marrie Wieczorek said: “Everyone is so excited about the trip. It’s such a fantastic opportunity for all of us to visit a country that we could never have imagined getting to see.

“I know North Korea is shrouded in mystery for many people in the UK, but I get the impression that the Koreans will be wonderful hosts.

“The trip is very much about friendship and is evidence of football’s power to break down cultural barriers.

It has all come about thanks to the wonderful support the people of Middlesbrough and Teesside as a whole gave the Koreans at the 1966 World Cup.”

Northern Echo

Middlesborough FC