The first nickname was given out before we had even arrived at Gatwick, with Dicko (Andy Dixon) being given the title 'Rex' after Chicago QB Rex Grossman who is good, but has moments of disaster!

This was because he discovered his passport expired in July, leaving him with a trip to the passport office in Newport, a train to London and a night in an hotel before even getting to Vegas!  So for the first day in Vegas there was the question "Where's Dicko?" shouted quite often.  Of course this was joined by Nathan's amazement of Shell garages.....

After being up for nearly 30 hours upon arriving at the Oasis resort it was food, beer and bed.

   

The Oasis Resort is in the town of Mesquite, about 80 miles north of Vegas.  Because of this, on the first day in the USA we ventured into Las Vegas for day and night.  The plan was to follow Coach Dick Suess, which went a little wrong and so we were left to our own devices.  After visiting many shops (mainly sports stores) we ended the day back at the airport to pick up Rex, but in true style his flight was two hours late.  So it was decided the best plan was dinner at Hooters (obviously)!

 

 

 

 

 

Having eaten well and used our English charm on many a waitress, we picked up Rex and went to Treasure Island.  From there Buckett, Ian and Awsley (also known as Ceawlin but noone can pronounce that!) went to 'Pure', the nightclub in Caesars Palace, whilst Shaff, Matt, Nathan and Dicko hit the tables in Treasure Island.

While the gamblers took a couple of dollars off the casinos, the others enjoyed a night filled with a Bikini fashion show, Pussycat Dolls and laughing at American blokes trying to hit on girls!

 

 

 

 
   

After a late Tuesday night (or early Wednesday morning), however you like to look at it, the group wandered down to explore the hotel facilities, namely the spa.  After spending a while there, pondering football, nicknames and life in general it was time for a spot of golf!  The world 'golf' is used lightly, as it wasn't so much golf as a bunch of guys trying to hit the man sent out in a machine to collect the balls off the range!

 

As the first practice was Thursday morning most of ventured into the Oasis Resport Casino to give away some money before an early night for 10.30am practice.  Not before Awlsy and Shaf got pulled over by the local police for speeding though!

 
Coaches Smallworth, Shaw and Buckett all met for the coach's breakfast at 8am and joined the players on the practice field at 11am.  We had met many of our team in the resort but there were many new faces as the Sharks joined players from all over the USA for a very different practice.  There was a very high standard and tempo, not to mention a welcoming atmosphere with many players asking about football in England.

 

After practice the Sharks travelled into Las Vegas to do some shopping in one of the many malls and joined Coach Smallworth in the evening at his villa for a BBQ and to go over plays and coverage so as to be up to speed for the next day's practice.

 

 

 
   

Practice started earlier on Friday morning so as to get everything done before Saturday's game.  More scrimmage today with shoulder pads and helmets, all of the Sharks players and coaches were gaining from the new experience, everyone fighting hard for starting spots against some very tough competition.

 

 
In the evening the Sharks went to watch one of the three games being played that weekend at Virgin Valley High School, featuring the California Smash against the Glendale Rangers.  Unfortunately the Smash had less than 20 players due to many being stuck in traffic on the freeway and subsequently lost the game by quite a margin!  None the less it was a good game to watch.  Shaf and Awlsy bumped into the Police Officer who pulled them over earlier in the week - so they were happy!

 

 
   

The day started at Play Offs, the bar five minutes downthe road from the Oasis Resort.  The Minor League All Stars met here for breakfast, exchanging of jerseys and signing of balls before leaving for the stadium.

 

 

 

 

 
After the National Anthems (God Save the Queen sung by Coach Buckett!!), the game was underway.  The English started out by making an impact on special teams which was kept up all game.  Offensively, Shaf (LT), Russ (LG) and Bria (RT) all started, with Ian backing up at running back.  Defensively Matt (MLB) started, while Awlsy (FS), Hill (CB) and Dicko (OLB) were quickly switched in from second string.

 

 

 
The All Stars did not play the team they were expecting and instead of playing another All Star team they played the 12-1 Copper State Football League Champions, who had been practicing for three weeks prior to the game!  Despite this the All Stars put up a good fight but only scored 29 points to Copper States' 48.

 

 
The Sharks all represented club and country well on what was a high standard of football.  After the final play, the photos, the thank yous and goodbyes the team left for the hotel to sit in the hot tub!  In the evening the Sharks had one (or six) well earned beers and Dicko handed the casino a few more dollars that were cluttering up his wallet.

 

 
The Sharks would like to thank all those who made it possible to go to the Minor League All Star Game, especially Shark's Head Coach Brian Smallworth.

 

 

SHARKS PRIDE!