Latics under-18s off to summer camp

A PORTUGUESE pre-season is the prize lying in wait for Athletic’s youth team next summer thanks to the club acquiring the money for a two-week stay in Vilamoura.

Two years after the under-18s’ summer stint in the Netherlands, Tony Philliskirk and Co. players will again fly out for a camp combining education and training in state of the art facilities.

Eighteen youngsters and four members of Athletic’s coaching staff are to head for to the Browns Sport and Leisure Club in the Algarve from July 4-17 - the same venue the first-team squad used in 2012, preparing for the new season under Paul Dickov.

The confirmation of the under-18s’ stay comes at the end of a long application process with the EU programme for education, training, youth and sport, Erasmus+. Philliskirk sees the trip as a great way to integrate players new into the club. Matches will be interspersed with educational excursions.