The day had finally arrived when Camerons Brewery would be playing at Wembley Stadium. 

The coach arrived at 4:00am on Saturday 4^th to take us on our way to Wembley.  In total 32 members of staff and family travelled down to London to be involved in the day. The coach arrived at Wembley at just gone 9:00am which gave people the opportunity to look around the stadium before we were let into the Bobby Moore Room for breakfast. 

The team managers, Ian Dougherty and Eric Thomson, were given the itinerary and then everyone was given a talk about the day from TV sports presenter Ray Stubbs and former footballers Ray Parlour and Mark Wright who also gave everyone involved advice about playing at Wembley. 

Camerons first game was to kick off at 12:15pm against Marstons Brewery.  Each 11 a-side match would last for 10 minutes.  The team made their way to the changing rooms at 11:40am where the kit bags were laid out in front of the players in the fabulous Wembley changing rooms.  Each member of the squad received a pair of black shorts and socks with a navy blue shirt which included the Cameron logo and players name on the reverse. 

At 12:00pm we warmed up on the Astroturf which runs along the outline of the pitch whilst the other games were being played. 

At 12:10pm we were invited onto the pitch.  For everyone playing this was a magical moment as we finally ran onto the hallowed turf. The game was tight and after some early pressure from Marstons it settled down into a more even contest.  Our goalkeeper, Dave Winspear (who was drafted in due to an injury to our original goalkeeper) pulled of some fantastic saves during the game which kept us in it.  In a flash it was over and the game ended 0-0. 

Our second game was at 1:15pm so the team were able to get some liquids on board before we played Greene King.  The members of the squad that did not play in the first game started in the second game allowing all members of the squad a chance to play a full match. In an entertaining game we went 1-0 down as a result of a hotly disputed penalty.  Following some further heroics from our goalkeeper and a save off the line from our centre back Dave Shave we went down the other end and scored a great goal to equalise.  The goal was scored by Gary Thomson who filled in at the last moment due to an injury. Gary, who’s brother Eric was the player manager, picked up the ball near the right hand side of the edge of the area and hit a low shot that hit the inside of the post and went in.  Gary promptly ran up the pitch waving his shirt above his head before being shown a yellow card by the referee for taking his top off (much to crowd’s dismay). 

Needing a win to progress the team pushed on but we were caught on the break and Greene King managed to secure a second goal to win the match late on. Although sad not to progress everyone was pleased with the effort we put in given that we only had 4 weeks to put together a squad to play in this tournament. 

After a shower we watched the semi final and final, which was eventually won by Tesco. The day was not over as every team was called up individually to walk up the famous steps to the royal box and each player was presented with a set of cuff links to mark this special day. 

After a meal and a few celebratory drinks we set off at 4:45pm back to Hartlepool arriving back home at just after 10:00pm. The day far exceed any expectations we could have possible had and has given the people involved many happy memories that will be with them for the rest of their lives.  A big thanks has to go to Carlsberg for running such a professional and special event. 

06-09-2010

Camerons Brewery are delighted to announce the staff members will be given the opportunity to play football on the hallowed Wembley turf after being entered in a prestigious competition.

Over the moon workers at Camerons Brewery in Hartlepool have been invited to enter a football team in a tournament hosted by Carlsberg.

It will see a team made up of Camerons Brewery employees walk out at Wembley on Saturday, 4^th September.

The brewery’s marketing manager Yousef Doubooni said: “We have selected a squad of 15 players to go down to Wembley and play.

“We have also put a coach on to take other employees and families down for the day to watch the matches.”

The knockout tournament will see the Camerons team play at least two games and the lads are putting in the training to make sure they have every chance of success.

Yousef added: “We are holding training sessions prior to the games.  As we have at least two games each member of the 15 man squad will get to play on the famous Wembley turf.  It is an opportunity of a lifetime and everyone is really excited about playing.”

Further details and photo’s to follow. 

19-08-2010

Carlsberg UK has signed a five-year agreement with Hartlepool brewer

Camerons to brew Tetley’s keg Milds and Imperial beers.

Production will transfer from the Tetley’s Brewery in Leeds to Camerons in mid-2011, and the beers produced will be the keg versions of Tetley’s Imperial, Tetley’s Dark Mild and Tetley’s Mild.

“We are delighted to have found a quality partner to brew Tetley’s keg Mild beers and Imperial. We are especially pleased to have come to this agreement with Camerons, which is based in a real heartland for Tetley’s Imperial,” said Andy Hume, Brewery Director, Tetley’s Brewery.

“Camerons has a lot of experience in brewing beers under contract and we are completely confident that they will help us ensure that fans of Tetley’s keg Milds and Imperial will continue to enjoy the same great tasting, quality beers they have always been,” added Hume.  

Chris Soley, director and general manager of Camerons Brewery, said: “We are delighted to be working in partnership with Carlsberg UK to contract brew Tetley’s keg Milds and Imperial at the Lion Brewery, Hartlepool. 

“This partnership allows Carlsberg UK to continue to brew three keg beers which are very popular in this part of the country and this landmark deal adds another global brewer to our portfolio of contract customers. 

“Camerons has invested a substantial amount of finance in developing the site and increasing the brewing capacity as well as significant resources in adopting world class manufacturing techniques and standards. 

“We are confident that these initiatives will ensure we will be able to deliver the Tetley’s products at the same high standards its customers would expect. 

“This partnership allows us to continue enhancing our facility at the brewery as well as investing in the further development of our employees.”

18-08-2010