Eight PFT boys participated in this fabulous event which turned out to be a really wonderful “once in a lifetime” experience. PFT would like to thank the eight boys for their behaviour and their attitude on the trip. The individuals represented themselves and their parents exceptionally well, plus they represented PFT in a very professional manner, which we are very proud of.
The eight boys who attended the trip were:
- Conor Neylon (TK Scholar)
- Dean Menere
- Anthony Fenech
- Ben Johnstone
- Yianni Skliros
- Josh Masterson
- Nicholas Frangos
- Jordan Gifkins
The two coaches accompanying the group were: Roy Hunter and Alfonso (Fonzie) Cardinale.
PFT would also like to thanks the parents for allowing them to attend this trip and for trusting us with their children.
From working with Eric Steele at the famous Carrington training facility to sightseeing in London to watching the Stoke City senior squad train to meeting Asmir Begovic, the trip was jammed packed with football and goalkeeper experiences that will stay with the group for their life time.
Chronologically, this is what the boys did:
Thu 28th Mar Arr in Manchester – Transfer to the Tollgate Hotel – Stoke on Trent. Fines are introduced – Thanks Jordan!
Fri 29th Mar Attend training session at Manchester City Academy – Platt Lane. Train on full size indoor pitch and watch the Man city Academy / Reserve team play a game against Crystal Palace.
Sat 30th Mar Liverpool, Anfield stadium tour and then to watch Everton Vs Stoke at Goodison Park and discovered what Shawcross’s mother does!
Sun 31st Mar Watched Aston Villa Vs Liverpool at Villa park.
Mon 1st Apr Trained at Lincoln City FC with David Preece (Conference League) and watched Lincoln City Vs Cambridge Utd.
Tue 2nd Apr Trained with Burton Albion FC (Div 2) at the wonderful St. Georges Park Facility (Brand new England national team training facility). Boxing lesson with Gary (the bus driver) at his gym. Some very average boxers but JORDAN comes away with 2 x KO’s. WTF!
Wed 3rd Apr Trained at Liverpool FC Academy with the U21’s goalkeeper coach. First leg of the Tollgate Cup was staged.
Thu 4th Apr Trained at Stoke City FC with the senior GK coach – Andy Quy. Also watched the Stoke first team train and then met Asmir Begovic.
Fri 5th Apr Old Trafford stadium tour then worked with Eric Steele at the amazing Man U Carrington Training facility. Eric did Q and A and presented the boys each with a Man U shirt. What a great guy! Went to LONDON.
Sat 6th Apr IN LONDON – Chelsea, Stamford Bridge, stadium tour and went to watch Crystal Palace Vs Barnsley (crap game). Josh had a special treat! And Roy and Fonz made £30 in 1 minute!
Sun 7th Apr IN LONDON – Catch up with Fonz’s sister and niece, sightseeing around London and then back to Stoke for stage two of tour.
Mon 8th Apr Manchester City Stadium tour and then off to the Man U Vs Man City Derby game. Thanks to Eric for the tickets. Found out on the day we could have got £1000.00 for each Derby ticket!
Tue 9th Apr Burton Albion FC for the second visit. Trained at St. Georges facility again – just like Darebin!
Wed 10th Apr Back to train at Liverpool FC academy facility. This time trained with “Taf” the U18’s GK coach. Fonz plays 20 squash games in a row!
Thu 11th Apr West Bomich Albion FC training session on artificial surface. Quick look at the stadium – amazing!
The start of the Squash and pool competitions.
Fri 12th Apr Trained with Billy Stewart Goalkeeper Academy in Liverpool. Then trained at Tranmere Rovers FC with David Timmins – Great session. THEN……. The final of the Tollgate Cup. What a match. What a fantastic referee?!
Sat13th Apr Leave the Tollgate hotel – What a great place. People were wonderful and the food was fabulous – What about the Hot Chocolates! Off to the Blackburn Vs Derby County game and Ellard Road. Then to a Haunted hotel in Manchester for the night. Spooky! “Fine” money is spent on pizza dinner for the boys.
Sun 14th Apr 9am flight home.
The trip has come to an end, but the memories will be with us all for a lifetime.
Tollgate Cup / Fines / Quotes kept by Yianni / Eric Steele likes to be touched / Jacket Potatoes / Most facilities reminded us of Darebin! / Breakfast + Hot Chocolates / Riiice / We all love Val! / Josh and the lap dance / Great Stanno kits and casual gear / Fenech lives on the edge / Boring Everton crowd and lots, lots more.
A big thank you to everyone who made this trip a great success, including STANNO Australia and David Jervis of Premier Football UK. Much, much appreciated.