Suncroft AFC complete successful away trip to Manchester

Suncroft AFC visit Manchester from March 16–18

Report by Kieran McInerney

Suncroft AFC U16’s are just back from an action packed three days in the Greater Manchester area.

A total of 22 participated in the trip that included 14 underage members and 8 Adults, including Club Chairman – Joe Dunne and Child Welfare Officer – Alan Barry and our very own PRO for the weekend Mr James McGowan.

The club have not undertaken a trip away, so this was a flagship model that if successful could be rolled out each year.

Day 1

We started our journey early on Friday 16th and met locally for breakfast at 5.30am.

We were then picked up at 6am by our own private coach, we headed for the Port for an 8am sailing to Hollyhead.

On arrival we made our way to Bolton Wanders Academy for a coaching session – before we got there we stopped for a lovely pasta lunch so the lads were all relaxed and ready for their session.

We were coached by their development staff at their fantastic Academy grounds.

From there we boarded our coach and were brought to our hotel in Altrincham where this was to be our base for the 3 days.

Day 2

This was going to be some day based on the Agenda we had set ourselves.

First up a match v Egerton from the Altrincham area.

Kick off was 10am, we played really well and won our first (of hopefully many games) versus English opposition.

After a quick lunch we headed for the Bet365 stadium to watch Stoke V Everton in the premiership. This was a fantastic opportunity as DB Sports had arranged for our squad to be a guard of honour with Stoke City flags on the pitch prior to kick off – they were literally within touching distance of both Stoke & Everton squads as they made their way onto the pitch for the 3pm kick off.

We got all the seasons in one, sunshine, wind, sleet and snow – we were told Stoke was a cold place, by God this was Baltic but wrapped up in all our new Suncroft gear we were ready for the elements.

At 5pm and a premiership game complete, was this enough – not at all – we then boarded our coach and headed for the Theatre of Dreams that is called Old Trafford for the FA Cup ¼ final between United and Brighton – roll on Paddy’s day, what parades – this day was turning out amazing.

From a ground in Stoke full to capacity of 30,000 we go into Old Trafford where we are a part of 74,000.

The game finishes shortly after 9.30pm and we are back in our hotel base by 10.30pm.

Day 2, comes to a close 16 hours later but where would you get to play on foreign soil, go to a premiership game & participate on the pitch, then finish with a cup 1/4 final in Old Trafford – truly amazing experience.

Day 3

This was a much more relaxed day as we were getting ready to head home in the afternoon, bit more of a lie in than usual – breakfast in the hotel and we were ready to go about 10am.

As we headed to Hollyhead we stopped off for some shopping. We then proceeded to Hollyhead where we were back in Suncroft Village at 21.30pm Sunday evening.

What has turned out to be a wonderful trip, may I take this opportunity to thank everyone involved as the success of such trips is down to each and everyone that is willing to help out in any shape or form.

The club would like to thank:

Beau Bailees

Centra in the Curragh Camp

The Croft Inn

The Well

The Bush Pub

Alpine

Suncroft Community Centre.

All in all, a trip to remember for this 2002 age group.