To Football players in Ankara:

I'd love to put a group of players together who'd be willing and have the dedication to play on a weekly basis. Below you'll find a short-list of people I have spoken with before and have expressed their willingness to take part. As one can see from this list I am still a good number of players short to have a proper 'kick around in the park'.

Thus if you know of any persons who'd I have missed out on the list or you know would love to play as well, then I invite you to forward this message, asking them to join.

Gokhan
Dave
Carlos
Jens
Steve
Harun
Rob
Carlo

As with all social events; it's the organising that is the tedious part, therefore I have already done some of the legwork for you and looked for a pitch to play.

Where: Thus far I have selected a pitch in Yıldızevler / Çankaya which I believe is very central and easy to get to for most of us, being close to Atakule and G.O.P.
It is called TUANA and has two modern floodlit carpet fields on which new carpet has been laid only 3 months ago (I witnessed this myself). There is plenty of parking space available, that is guarded by security personnel. There are locker rooms, showers with warm water, a safe box and cafeteria where beverages such as water, coffee and tea can be bought.

When: I have been informed that they have open slots for Tuesday 19.30 - 20.30 and Wednesday 20.30 - 21.30, but this may change depending on availability. However if we are dedicated to play on a weekly basis then block bookings are possible up to five weeks.

What does it cost? 7-10 YTL depending on the number of players. The pitch costs 90 YTL for one hour we play, so divide that by the number of players!

So what do you say? Can we put a team together or will I go around Ankara being known as 'Billy No Mates'. Don't let this Dutch guy down and find him that extra numbers of players that is still needed (I say seven-a-side is a good number for the size of above mentioned pitch).

Cheers,
FD

My boyfriend will be thrilled to hear about this, his name's Ilke, he can probably get you a few more players

I can use the exercise, count me in on wednesdays, starting from November 22nd.

two confirmed from my side.. how many left?

Dear Footballers,

It is one week since my post above and finding people to play footy, one evening per week has proven not as easy as I'd hoped. Still I am a stubborn 'so-and-so' and won't give up easily thus this is what I thought we'd do:

We get a weekly game of playing footy on the way with the players we have till now and when word gets 'round I hope, no I am positive that those extra players will come eventually.

When:
When I mentioned Tuesday - or Wednesday evening in my first email they were merely meant to offer options. However that was rather silly because since then I have had replies of people stating they prefer to play on Wednesdays and others who wanted Tuesdays. Therefore going on majority, I made an 'executive' decision and have made a reservation for Wednesday [15 Nov] at 20.30 - 21.30

Where:

TUANA - Modern Halı Saha
4. Cad. No: 24 Yıldızevler / Çankaya

From Atakule:
With your back to Cinnah Caddesi, go up the hill on Simon Bolivar C. past the constitutional court.
make a right turn at the petrol station / koray outlet store [there is also a big sign for Nazar supermarket]
This is the 4. Cad. Go over two sets of traffic lights and the pitches are an additional 400 metres on your right [after the second set of lights]. Parking within the gates available.

From G.O.P:
Follow the directions for Yıldız and follow Turan Gunes Bulvari up the hill in the direction of Oran.
make a right turn at IS bank and follow the road till the end and make a right turn. You should be able to see the pitches at approx. 100 metres on your left. Parking within the gates available.

For those who come with the Dolmus. Take the Dolmus to Yıldız / Oran and get off on Turan Gunes Bulvari at the IS bank. Make a right turn at IS bank and walk to the end of the road with IS bank on your right. Take a right turn at the end of the road and walk for approx. 100 metres; the pitches are on your left.

Costs:
7-10 YTL depending on the number of players. The pitch costs 90 YTL for one hour we play, so divide that by the number of players!

So guys, let me know if you play c.o.p Tuesday and if you could bring a friend, colleague or vague acquaintance who'd like to play even better.

Lets get the ball rolling... [pun intended]

Cheers,
FD

Does this mean that after a few weeks practice, we could have an Ankara-Istanbul match?

[quote user="starman" post="70454"]Does this mean that after a few weeks practice, we could have an Ankara-Istanbul match?[/quote]

that would be really cool.

Despite being an unfit , pack of smokes a day alcoholic who hasn't actually played football since I was eight, I've decided to come along. See you on Wednesday.

You're very welcome Oz! should i have some paramedics at stand-by? a few oxygen tanks perhaps.
go on quit the smokes you know it is good for you... (Oz told me he would quit smoking after the World Cup final; i bet he has told others now it is going to be his New Year's resolution) see you on wednesday mate if not before that on sunday for the live footy.

FD

All,

So far the following people have confirmed. I will need to have your confirmation by midday tomorrow (Tue) but it looks bleak from where I am standing (only 5 players). I will let you know tomorrow afternoon whether the game is on or not.

Gokhan [+1]
Harun?? (long distance to travel)
Carlo
Chris
Oguz [+1]??? (depending on other sport activity)
Steve B.

come on!
you need to get this started so we can have istanbul-ankara match!

ilke +1 is confirmed as well!

Also, I guess I could play too, although I haven’t kicked a ball since high school

so that makes ilke, Bilgehan, and myself Lulu

Don't worry Lulu, you and I can gossip on the field as I doubt I'll be doing much actual playing

Football tomorrow [15 Nov.] is cancelled!

I have cancelled the reservation just moments ago given we cannot draft enough players. Scraping the bottom of the barrel we managed to get eight people in total for this week but 4 against 4 and given the fitness levels [since some of us start playing after a long extended break] will not cut it.

The good news however is that four more players will join us throughout the remainder of November. And I am willing to give playing a match a go when we can get five-a-side. Therefore I will make another reservation for next week and you be prepared for the fact I am on your case again, harassing you to come and join in!

I guess now I can just go and see how the big boys are doing it when Holland will play Engerland in a friendly tomorrow night.

Till next week!
Carlo