August 2009

We recently organised a sixty-four player ‘Pro Evolution Soccer 2009′ tournament at Old Trafford on 1st August. Here’s a brief “Making Of” for your enjoyment.

The fun began a few days prior to the 1st while our intrepid team were experiencing the sights and sounds of the Manchester Umbro International Cup, an occasion we also ran an event at. Unfortunately due to bad weather, the Cup was called off for the first time in thirteen years, and despite being a great day on the Wednesday, was a bit of a mud bath for the rest of the week.

Of course, the actual organisation began weeks prior to this date, but if I listed everything that was done then this post would be far, far too long.

Anyway, not to be put off by the downpour, our crew used this new found time to prepare for the Main Event in the best possible way, hours and hours of manual labour. Thirty-two Xbox 360 consoles and thirty-two television screens had to be brought into the Trafford Suite room of the Theatre of Dreams, along with poles, posters, computer equipment and many other necessary items.

The next morning, chairs and tables had to be arranged, consoles needed setting up, it all required checking and checking twice to really ensure everything and anything we had any power over ran as smoothly as possible on the day. From 11 in the morning ’til 7 at night, our team spent their Friday around masses of wires and empty boxes, and surprisingly did it with a minimal amount of fuss.

Saturday, the day of the Event, and it’s back to Old trafford nice and early for one final check and to make sure everything was working splendidly in time for the arrival of the first players at 9am. From then on, the team worked throughout the day providing continual support to the sixty-four players taking part in the tournament, and only got a break from their duty at 5:30, the end of the day. After everything was packed away, that is.

Even though the amount of effort that went into organising the event was incredibly tiring, it’s fair to say the work was well receieved. The various thanks from players who participated (some even going as far to say it was the best gaming event they’d seen) were more than welcome, and it all resulted in one of the most successful PES events ever ran.