Christophe and Laurent

[OldBlueLady]

Well, it's Wednesday, and I think I can now reveal exactly what I've been dropping hints about for the last week or so.

Some of you will remember this story which has run in different guises for a month or so http://www.football-league.co.uk/page/News/LeagueOneNewsDetail/0,,10794~1464638,00.html

and as you probably are aware there are two schools that I'm connected with. It just so happens that the one I DON'T work in, has been teaching French at KS2 for the last 4 years, and we have a French student over each year. Ever one to seize an opportunity, I suggested to the HT that we invite the French boys in, and several phone calls and emails (now you know why I needed to get hold of Scriv!) later, today is the day.

We're expecting them in this afternoon, not sure yet whether any of the rest of the players or Tilly will be coming with them, but hopefully this'll be good for the kids - who will be asking them questions in French - and them - they'll be replying in English. Their tutor is coming as well hopefully to make sure they don't use any inappropriate language! I'll see if I can get any news out of Jeff!

We also have coaches provided through SUSCT in this evening, as we do every Wednesday, for coaching so who knows, perhaps they may be persuaded (or Laurent anyway) to show off a few skills.

Hopefully I'll have an update for you later - the Echo are supposed to be sending a reporter and photographer as well! Fingers crossed

 

[OldBlueLady]

Afternoon went off very well, pleased to report both lads turned up as promised with their tutor. Chris Phillips, from the Echo, and one of their photographers had arrived nice and early and enjoyed one of the Head's little "chats" prior to the lads' arrival.

I have to say, Jeff actually has a pretty good command of the English language, so when he pulls the "dumb Frenchman" thing on the field, I get the idea it's pretty much of an act. He has a great sense of humour, and was very much at ease with everyone, Francis is a little less confident and allows Jeff to take the lead, but can join in showing he understands - for instance, a couple of times the Head asked which one had been at Portsmouth/injured his hamstring/played in Germany - both pointed to each other with dead pan expressions, then laughed.

We took them through the hall where pantomime rehearsal was going on, and they were introduced to everyone, then we went through to the area set up with 2 children from each year group and the French student. Jeff was right in there, sitting next to the kids, Francis needed to be drawn into things but once they got going it all went well. The kids asked them simple questions to begin with, and these developed according to their ability. The lads answered in English, but occasionally in French if it needed clarification through either their tutor or the French student. One of the boys asked if they would be playing against Chelsea, not sure if Francis understood as he said no, but Jeff said it depended on if the coach picked him or not - which sounded encouraging to me.

Jeff was doing that trick celebrities often do when they try and embarrass kids asking about their boyfriend or girlfriend, the kids all thought this was funny! One boy who is at the Centre of Excellence was brought over to meet them, we did lots of press photos and I made sure we got a TBV flag in some of them - whether or not it gets used is NOT up to me though Smiffy! I stayed out of these, but the school took some later, don't know if I'll get them and as I hate photos anyway I wouldn't hold your breath! They then did loads of autographs for the kids - think there might be a few being hawked around the playground tomorrow!

Photo and a brief story should be in tomorrow's Echo, with a follow up story next week. Chris Phillips did quite a lengthy interview with them both once the kids had gone back to the hall, and at the end we walked back through the hall where rehearsals were still in full swing. Jeff joined in with Greased Lightning to the amusement of the children (those on stage very creditably carried on!), then at the end walked round all the staff and shook their hands.

It was a lovely afternoon, they've been invited back at some point further on in their lessons. I'm really grateful to Maria at SUFC and Scriv for their assistance in setting this up, and of course, to the lads themselves. :)

 

[OldBlueLady]

Photo inside back page of today's Echo and the exclusive with Jeff was part of the interview done at school yesterday, the "breaking news" story about wrapping up the contract was obviously followed up by Chris Phillips as a result.

Feature copied here for those of you that don't see the Echo
http://www.echo-news.co.uk/sport/3949270.Les_Bleus_pop_into_to_parlez_Francais/
It is the picture with the flag, but unfortunately it's been cut off! The little girl at the front was holding it in front of her!

 

[Mad Cyril]

Do the kids now understand the French equavalent of:

"Like I say..."
"To be fair..."
"At the end of the day..."

 

[fatshrimp]

It is the picture with the flag, but unfortunately it's been cut off! The little girl at the front was holding it in front of her!

Must have been a small flag..!

 

[noodle123]

How fab ! Well Done for organising a great opportunity for those students

 

[Shrimper2thecore]

Great stuff, but JEff?!?!?!

 

[RobM]

Jeff = JF Christophe I assume.

 

[overseas shrimper]

Do the kids now understand the French equavalent of:

"Like I say..."
"To be fair..."
"At the end of the day..."

Why do you have to take the mick all the time? Can't you see the French lads worked their socks off?

 

[OldBlueLady]

Great stuff, but JEff?!?!?!

The tutor explained it to those that asked as JEan Francois ChristoPHe so if we want to be pedantic, it's JEFPH! I said to Chris Phillips that he seemed to be doing pretty well understanding English, but how on earth does he understand Macca, and he laughed and said that no-one understands Macca!