Dutch adventure for youngsters

ATHLETIC’S intrepid youngsters will encounter some familiar accents when they touch down at their first hotel base in the Netherlands today.

Tony Philliskirk’s party of touring under-18s are initially staying in the same complex in Mill, North Brabant, as their equivalents from Premier League giants Liverpool.

There might even be scope for some cross-germination in terms of the two squads training together.

And that would mean first on-pitch contact with their local clubs for two players in particular — former Crompton House school pupil Ryan Kent, who is a professional on the books with the Reds, and Ryan Ellison, Athletic’s centre-back prospect who hails from Liverpool.

Athletic’s party — led by academy chief Philliskirk, youth phase coach Pete Wild and physio Anthony Gray — will combine cultural visits with football activities while on the two-week tour, similar to that undertaken two years ago.

Belgian outfit Genk are the first opponents on Wednesday, VVV Venlo face Athletic on Saturday, August 2, and on Wednesday, August 6, the challenge is one of facing a regional Brabant United team.
To read the full version of this story see the Chronicle’s E-chron digital edition or buy the newspaper.