The academy under-10, under-11 and under-12 age groups had a fantastic Easter weekend as they popped across to Almere in the Netherlands to take part in the Holland Cup 2019 tournament.
An overnight ferry trip from Newcastle to Amsterdam through Thursday and Friday was followed by the first introduction for the group to a European munching menu before they took in the Eerste Divisie fixture between hosts Almere FC and Telstar at The City Stadium.
The first full day at the academy facility was the start of the tournament proper, with the lads playing against teams from Holland, Germany and Denmark in a series of round-robin fixtures.
Morning goals across the age groups from Seb Mason, Stanley Metcalfe, Joe Pope, Trent Chapman, Sam Davison and Jamie Taylor brought two victories, against Rot Weiz Koblenz and Neunen, and the good performances continued throughout the day – with an 8-0 victory over Nr. Lyndsele a particular highlight.
A very competitive visit to the local bowling alley was up next, to round off the day, with the under-12s making their way through to the semi-final with some very strong performances.
The under-11s were placed fifth overall, with a brace from Seb Mason to thank in their final game, and the trip was rounded off with an Ajax stadium tour, and the best seats in the house as Juventus U17 played Atletico Madrid U17 in a very entertaining game.
Coach Robbie Edgar said: “The parents should all be super proud of their children, they were a credit to themselves and the club all the way through this trip.
“They’ve had the time of their lives. They may have been three teams, but they were one squad through it all and they have made a lot of new friends and, hopefully, learned a lot from what was a fantastic few days.”
Well done to the coaches, staff, parents, guardians and, most of all, to the boys for representing Carlisle United Football Club in such a positive way.
