Dubai: It’s Just Football’s Under-16 team returned from a successful tour of the UK last week, where they reached the plate final of the Keele International Cup, Britain’s largest youth tournament.
Chris Brown’s side beat the USA’s Monroe Township 7-3 and US Revolution 5-0, before losing to David Beckham’s old youth team Brimsdown Rovers 2-1. They went on to beat Parkdale 3-2 and had to win their final game against Shrewsbury Development Centre to qualify for the cup, but they lost 3-1. They then lost the plate final against Parkdale, who they had earlier beaten, 4-0.
The tour, which is one of six organised across Europe by the club over the past five years, included visits and training sessions at the English Football Association’s new training centre St. George’s Park, and the academies of Liverpool, Everton and Leicester City.
“Taking our academy players away each year is a vital part of their football development as they get to play against quality sides in a competitive international competition,” said Brown.
“Add to this they got to take in the fantastic facilities at St. Georges Park, Liverpool’s Academy and playing against an extremely strong Leicester City academy side at their wonderful facilities, then it gives them a real insight into what it takes to play at a professional football club’s academy and the level they need to aspire too.”
