Busy Pre-season For City's Academy

Jamie McAllister’s Under-21s jetted off to the Northern Irish capital ahead of their 2016/17 campaign, as well as taking part in a nine-goal thriller with UEFA Europa League qualifiers Glenavon.

With five new additions to the development group, it proved a vital bonding trip for the players and staff, with full coverage provided on the club’s official website, YouTube channel and social media sites.

McAllister said: “It was a great trip and a chance for the lads to get to know one another and bond ahead of the new season.”

The Foundation Phase age group saw a group of 20 youngsters, aged nine and ten, head for an annual Guernsey Tour – where they competed in the BWCI Tournament.

For the first time the club’s Academy provided two teams for the competition rather than one, with games played over the weekend of July 23^rd and 24^th.

Both teams were very competitive in the group stages, where they played both grassroots and professional academies, racking up 13 wins and only three defeats – scoring over 40 goals and conceding only three times!

During the knock-out stages both were eliminated in the highly-contested quarter-final stage, losing to the eventual finalists.

Off the field the boys were able to take part in numerous social activities, including the hotel facilities of tennis and crazy golf.

For many of the boys it was their first experience away from home and, for some, their first time flying.

Lead Foundation Phase coach Luke Hussey said: “The feedback from players, parents and staff is that the trip has been a really positive experience for everyone involved and has given them some really important exposure to the pressures of tournament football to aid their development.”

Most recently City’s Under-18s have flown out Madrid for their own tour, where they are due to face Atletico Madrid, Oxford United and Getafe in pre-season friendlies.

They have already beaten Forest Green Rovers and Cheltenham Town in pre-season friendlies.

Academy manager Gary Probert said: “It’s been a positive start for the Under-18s and we’d like to thank both Forest Green and Cheltenham for filling in after we had cancellations at the last minute.”