Dutch trip excites Latics youth

TONY PHILLISKIRK: youngsters will experience top-class facilities

ATHLETIC hope that the under-18s’ forthcoming tour of the Netherlands will leave the squad nourished, both physically and mentally.

At the end of July, Tony Philliskirk’s group of scholars will spend just under two weeks working in a set of top-class facilities in the country that gave the world ‘total football’.

Three matches will also be organised to give the fresh-faced youngsters a taste of different playing styles.

Philliskirk is as eager to get going as anyone else on the trip: “First and foremost, we have never been on a pre-season tour in the 14 years that I have been here,” said the 47-year-old. “It is something we are all really looking forward to.”

Athletic will be accompanied by Derby County and Cheltenham Town on a journey beginning on July 30.