At one of our monthly meetings in 2016, we were discussing social events and activities and our manager Geo Shepherd said, why don’t we go to France for game.
After initially dismissing it, we began to discuss it further and following one or two more meetings, a trip to our twin town Bailleul started to take shape. I contacted councillor Stuart Marshall, who has always been supportive of the club, and he arranged a meeting for me with Ron Smith and members of our committee. Ron was fantastic in giving us an insight into what was required. What planning we would need to do, as well as contacts in France and who to apply to for grants etc. It took some time to put everything in place. Various meetings were held with the regional council representatives and our contact in France, a miss Olivia D’Hau. She was to proof invaluable to us, both before and after we arrived in France.
Once everything had been finalised, a group of around 18 of us set of for France at the end of June 2017. Once we arrived in Bailleul we were greeted by Olivia and other representatives of their twinning committee. We were also introduced to a gentleman called Sebastian Terrier, who owned the pub and ran the team we would play, Le Barabao A.F.C. We spent the Friday night in his establishment. Only to get acclimatised you understand. We had a tremendous first night but were well aware that we had a game to play on the Saturday. Some of us got more acclimatised than others if you know what I mean.
The first of two games, which had been arranged took place on the Saturday. Sadly we hadn’t acclimatised enough and were soundly beaten by our host by 5 goals to 1. The game was not helped by two United players having to visit the local hospital. Robbie Kelly had a badly gashed leg and Dave Slight ended up on crutches. Our hosts were brilliant and the barbeque after the game was followed by a visit to local league side Doulieu F.C who were playing a friendly against Racing Lens a team featuring some ex French national team players. Our group were cheered onto the pitch to shouts of Ecosse, Ecosse. A tremendous experience for the boys and very much appreciated.
Sunday was a rest day for a wander round Bailleul taking in the local landmarks etc. This was followed by a relaxing meal in the evening in preparation for our second game of the tour on Monday against another local side Equipe de Copains. As the game was in the evening, the group took the opportunity to visit the local town hall and the seat outside it which is dedicated to Jim ‘Dimmer’ Anderson ex Halberdier. After a relaxed lunch with our new friend Seb from Le Barabao we all had a relaxed afternoon before our evening game. Due to injuries to the squad, we coopted three French players from our Saturday game and managed a 1-0 victory with Kevin Strathdee inevitably getting the goal. Tuesday was the most humbling day as we visited the local cemetery where some of Hawick’s fallen from WW1 are buried. The more mature members of the party could see the expressions of the younger ones change as it hit home just how young some of the soldiers were. It really got to some of them, and we left suitably subdued. It was however somewhere well worth visiting to pay our respects.
Some of the group then took the opportunity to take the short train ride to the city of Lille. For any future trips to Bailleul, it is a city well worth visiting. Lille is a beautiful place with a magnificent central square. Four of the more adventurous of the party, who shall remain nameless, hired a car, and drove all the way to Luxembourg to watch Rangers play the second leg of their Europa league tie. An eight hour round trip they later regretted. The remainder met with the towns twinning committee for an evening reception. A welcome speech was given by Bailleul twinning association chairman, Jean Andre Vandelnoote. John Paul Drysdale gave a reply on behalf of the club emphasising how impressed we all were all very impressed with the welcome we were given and the hospitality we had received. It cannot be stressed enough how well we were treated and made welcome by the various groups we met.
On Wednesday July 5th we made the long journey home. Although there were one or two mishaps and illnesses along the way, everyone in the group had a fantastic time. The players and committee were a credit to both Hawick United and the town, and the people of Bailleul were fantastic to us. It would be remiss not to thank some of the people who made the whole thing possible. From the Hawick side – Ex councillor and chair of the Hawick Welcome Group, Ron Smith. Councillor Stuart Marshall, and Linda Cornwall from S.B.C. On the French side – Olivia De Hau, who is planning a cycling trip to Scotland with her son. Corinne Pede from the twinning committee and Sebastion (call me Seb) from the Barabao pub, who says he is coming for the Common Riding having heard so much about it from the group. We are most definitely hoping for a re match over here but finances and accommodation are proving difficult.
The French Connection by Douglas Leithead - October 2023