GRAHAM HORSCROFT AND MIKE FLETCHER (YOUNG CHELSEA)

Graham, Mike - a joy to be speaking to you.

Thank you.

If you don't mind my describing you as such, it's nice to see a couple of old Young Chelsea warhorses playing.

We don't mind at all.

(Mike) Guaranteeing a place in The Lederer to the winners of the YC Knockout is a splendid idea - I know it's benefited us this year, but it works on two levels.

(Graham) Quite. It gives teams an incentive to enter the Knockout competition - quite apart from the thousand quid, and ensures a bit of 'home interest' for any spectators who happen along.

Can you just talk me through your progress?

(Mike) The last three rounds were against tough teams. We beat McAllister in the quarter finals, and everyone seemed a bit surprised by that, then we drew the Callaghan team in the semi-finals.

(Graham) The smart money was on Callaghan, but we played on and by the time the match was finished, we'd won. Not by an enormous margin, but that hardly mattered.

(Mike) All the Callaghan team are old friends so I bought them all a drink. They accepted, through rictus-like grins of congratulation.

(Graham) Then, in the final, we were well down with eight to go and the opponents just lost the plot.

(Mike) And here we are.

You must be pleased with your team-mates, on paper much less experienced than yourselves.

Mike (Bull) and Richard (Creamer) played well in every match.

Well, let's hope they do so over the weekend.

(Graham) And keep us out of trouble!

Thank you, gents.