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Stalybridge Celtic Junior Football Club has been exchanging visits with the JAA (Jeunesse Athlétique Armentiéroise) for 12 years. A team from Celtic plays in the JAA Easter Tournament and teams from Armentières play in Celtic Junior Tournament in May.
Above are the two JAA teams that visited Stalybridge in May 2008, for Stalybridge Celtic Junior Tournament. The photo was taken outside the team accommodation at Tameside Sea Cadets. You will notice that the older team in 2008 was a girls' team. Their playing has earned a very good reputation in the Armentières area. The team is called les JAAnettes (pronounced like Jeannette). The JAA teams are always delighted with their accommodation at the Sea Cadets.
During their visit to Celtic Juniors, the JAA teams always visit either Manchester United or Manchester City stadiums. In 2008, they had guided tours of both stadiums, spent some time in the museums there and, of course, in the shops. They all bought items and, as good customers, they were given complimentary current team photos and, in the case of one of the stadiums, scarves.
As you will see from the photos in the slide show, by the time the JAA reached the stage of the presentation of their trophies by Celtic Junior officials at the farewell meal, they were unrecognisable as French players, as many of them had changed into their United or City kit!
On the stadiums tours, the JAA are always shown the players' lounge, with the Rolls of Honour. We point out Éric Cantona's name and others, and we always say that maybe one day, we shall see one of the present JAA member's name there! The highlight of the tours for them is always the players' dressing room, where each one makes a dive to sit in his or her own favourite player's spot.
© emm - svta 2009 |
Click to see an article about the girls' team,
Click to see an article about the JAA's visit to Celtic Junior Tournament:
Visit Celtic Juniors' website at
To visit the JAA website, go to
Click 'Cliquez pour entrer' to enter the site; then, in the menu on the left, go to 'Club' and, on the submenu, click 'Tournoi' for their tournament. You can also go to 'équipes' (teams) in the menu and click on 'Les Jeunes' for young teams, 'Baby-Club' and 'Féminines'.
For the girls' team site, go to
To enter the site, click on 'J.A.A.nettes' in large letters in the centre of the home page.
Visit the Sea Cadets' site at
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