Tribute to the KOA

[gdh82]

I know I've only been around for like 5 minutes compared to some and despite my occasional fixation with bugs, fairplay and improving things, I'm actually a big fan of this place.

I may always be just an average player but I'd like to think that my passion for the great game matches anyone!

Thanks to those who provided photos for this slideshow and a special thank you to none other than Dino Dini - I'm absolutely thrilled that he kindly agreed to 'remix' the soundtrack!!!

Apologies in advance for the inevitable omissions and mistakes, but I hope you can still enjoy...

My Tribute to the KOA!

[Danne]

Great video!

Very nice to see.

[Bounty Bob]

Nice one Gaz.

[alkis21]

THIS IS BETTER THAN GLADIATOR

[Freshmaker]

Sweet Gaz (but I'm not holding a beer, it's a Kick Off - energy drink; provided by Niels).

[Torchiador]

I'M CRYING!!!!!!

[Rodolfo]

Ehem, Garry, now that you mention... I never found that FEKO pics you requested

Wonderful work, I also feel a huge gratitude to the KOA, and I wish I had that artistic class you have to express it.

[gdh82]

Thanks fellas Your feedback is really, really appreciated!

I wanted to put some photos together with a bit of fun but which was ultimately respectful to the great KOA. Of course I had to acknowledge our founding father dudes and the cool champions amongst us, but I also wanted to include as many group shots as possible to give mention to everyone that makes the KOA what it is! Naturally there'd be shots of us guys gathered around amigas but I wanted to show the wider aspects of us drinking down the pub together, eating out together, out with our WAGs, playing 5-a-side football, and some of the antics that we sometimes get up to (i.e the italian job!).

I couldn't of course fit in everything but who knows there might be a volume II in a few years time...

[Steve Camber]

Don't wait so long for volume II !!

[alkis21]

Any update?

[gdh82]

[gdh82]

Vocal guest appearance by Dino Dini?

Nice work Garry. As for me, I loved looking at my different haircuts through the years. Man, we are getting old...

Thanks Spyros! And don't worry some of us were old before we found this place!!!

As for Dino - yes, he really did remix the music for me!!!. For me that was so special and so appropriate that the great man himself, the creator of KO2 would do this!

I'd exchanged a number of emails with Dino via his YouTube site, initially in response to this Retreat video and then out of appreciation of his own music. Soon after, while travelling down to a KORA tourney, me and Steve E were talking about videos and that's when the idea took root Now I can't sing for a toffee but I knew a man who could!!!!

Understandably, Dino wanted to see my video first so I sent him a test version set to the original Bruce Sprinsteen's Born in the USA. And soon after that, to my delight, Dino produced the goods. I was just expecting a dubbed chorus line but this is more like a remix! The whistled melody immediately told me that what was to follow was a little different! The chorus line is perfectly timed and the harmonizing 'humm' from the second verse onwards is another great idea too - reminds me of a NZ Rugby war chant!!!! hehe

[Abyss]

That makes it even more interesting Garry.

BTW, the capion at 1:59 is wrong - this is from an Athens tournament. Funny haircut by me there