James Hornsby School head caretaker Alan Turp came to the rescue when the two-day New Year West Ham in the Community Soccer School went ahead at the Laindon venue.
For it was a case of "everybody in" when monsoon-like rain which hit the south-east during the school Christmas holidays threatened to act as a hammer blow to the Premiership side's event.
On me 'ead son! - Hammers coach Stuart Muller gives some aerial direction to Dave Dickson and Thomas Moran Picture: LUAN MARSHALL
Community coach Steve Tapley said: "James Hornsby is a very popular venue and we had 65 youngsters booked in for the course.
"With outside areas being so waterlogged a number of our courses had to be put off, but thanks to Alan and his co-operation in making sure the sports hall and gym were available to us, we were able to go ahead at Laindon.
"Being inside meant that we were able to play more five-a-side quick action games than usual and the youngsters loved it.
"We were also able to go through some very productive coaching sessions which we wouldn't have been able to attempt on waterlogged ground outside.
"All in all it was a very successful two days and thanks to Alan and his staff at James Hornsby we were able to continue the very popular traditions of our courses at the venue."
Published Wednesday, January 8, 2003
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