BORO UNDER-14S SET TO TACKLE BIG GUNS
Athletic under-14s could face Real Madrid, Barcelona or Bayern in MIC Cup in Spain
Scarborough Athletic’s under-14s are heading to Spain this Easter hoping for the chance to tackle the likes of Barcelona, Real Madrid or Bayern Munich.
The Mediterranean International Cup, which will take place for the 15th time, is based at the stadium of Palamós, 70 miles from Barcelona.
Famous clubs like Benfica (Portugal), Porto (Portugal), Sporting ( Portugal), Sevilla (Spain), Valencia (Spain), Ferencvaros ( Hungary), Liverpool, Paris St Germain, Zenit St Petersburg and Vasco de Gama (Brazil) will participate.
Since the beginning, the MIC tournament has been supported by the likes of Pep Guardiola, Luis Felipe Scolari, Ronaldo and Ronaldinho.
Some past parti ci pants of t he MIC i nclude Li onel Messi ( Barcelona), Cesc Fàbregas ( Chelsea), Anderson (ex-Manchester United), Lucas ( Livepool) and Marcelo (Real Madrid).
Coach Nigel Carson said: “We chose to enter the MIC Cup, which is played near Barcelona, as it was open to any team to enter.
“In the first round any club can be drawn against each other, from grassroots clubs like ours to mid-level teams to the big guns such as Real Madrid, Barcelona, Bayern Munich, Manchester United and Liverpool.
“After this first game each side is then allocated into a group where they play against teams from their own level.
“It would be brilliant for the lads to get one of the big teams in the first match, but the whole tournament will be a great experience for all of them.
“We are heading over there on March 29 for a seven-day break, with the games kicking off a couple of days later, and there will be time for the boys to also have a visit to the Nou Camp before we head back to Scarborough.”
One of the players, Louis Murray, is recovering from a broken foot and faces a race against time to be fit to play in the competition.
Carson said: “We are hoping that Louis will be okay to play in the matches, but even i f he i s not ready he will be coming as part of the 16-man squad.”
The under-14s, who play in the Hull Boys Sunday Football League, have been busy fundraising for the trip with a sponsored swim and upon their return will be holding a race night and a bag-pack to help to recoup some of the expenses involved with their European adventure.
Carson added: “The lads have a great spirit in the squad, they play football in the right way. and can all play in a lot of different positions, which are two things integral to our club’s footballing philosophy.”