Friday, 18 May 2012

Day 5: The group rise early for the flight back to Scotland.



The group depart for the airport at 8:30am.


After a great week in Barcelona where the boys have played against Spanish teams, trained with one of the best youth coaches in the city and were at the Nou Camp for one of the best matches of the season where Pep Guardiola was in charge of his last match!

A big thank you from AMsportstours to Letham Tangerines and we look forward to providing you with football travel in the future!

Thursday, 17 May 2012

Day 4: The players return to Camp Nou for a stadium tour before their final game of the tour


After a relaxed breakfast at the Hotel, the group made the trip to Camp Nou for a stadium tour.


Jim, Ted and Dennis show off their Championship Medals. More than the Barcelona players have got this year!


Some of the boys with Messi's three Balon d'or trophies. Messi has won the World Player of the Year, three years running.



Some of the boys hope one day to be on the other side of the barrier.... not as a steward, as a player!!




The group got to see the view from up to as well as pitch side.


La Masia, once home to some of the greatest players in the history of not only FC Barcelona but the World, including Xavi, Iniesta and Messi!

The building closed in 2011 due to the relocation of a newly built FC Barcelona training centre.



After lunch near Camp Nou, the group had some free time for last minute shopping in the city or taking a last look at this beautiful city.

The players travelled back to the Hotel to relax before their final game of the tour.

The final game of the tour saw Letham take on CF Barceloneta.


A fantastic evening, perfect conditions for football. The pitch is watered before the match, common in Barcelona to allow the ball to move quickly off the surface.


Tom briefs the team before the game.



The boys warm up before the match.






Barceloneta provided a sterner test for the Tangerines as they showed off some excellent technical play.


After the final game, the boys stroll down to the beach on what turned out to be a warm evening.


The final evening meal and awards presentation. Pictures of the tour are projected onto the wall.


Some of the parents relive moments of the tour. Keith is chuffed to see pictures of the 3v3 tournament!



Dennis tells Marc of his footballing days!



Man of the Match - Ross McGowan


Coaches Player of the Tour - Caleb Jack


AMsportstours Player of the Tour - Jordan Robertson


Wednesday, 16 May 2012

Day 3: After a couple of packed days, the group travelled to Futbolmania store, one of the biggest football stores in Spain,where they played a 3v3 tournament in the shop!




The boys prepare to depart the Alimara Hotel by metro to Futbolmania!


Futbolmania is one of the biggest 'football only' stores in Spain. In the middle of the store is a courtyard with a 3 v 3 pitch! The group had private use of the pitch and a parent/player tournament was arranged! 


In the build up to the tournament starting the teams were announced.

Team 1: Shay Moran, Craig Edwards, Sean Stewart
Team 2: Ross McGowan, Shaun Simpson, Douglas Thom
Team 3: Jamie Sinclair, Caleb Jack, Jordan Robertson
Team 4: Tyler Green, Craig McGlashan, Dell Newlands
Team 5: Keith Sinclair, Andy Ewan, Colin McGlashan
Team 6: Tam McGowan, Neil McKay, Paul Jack
Team 7: Duncan Robertson, Robert Newlands, Dell Arnott
Team 8: Connor MacFarlane, Steve Gilfillan (AM), Tom Stevenson


Some of the Dad's take some time for a long warm up...


Keith adds another thunderbolt of a goal to take him that step closer to tournament top goals scorer.


With some closely contested games, despite a shock defeat in the final match, team 8 were tournament winners!

Top goal scorer was Keith Sinclair!


After the tournament, the group made the short journey to a restaurant based just of Catalunya Square for lunch.


A huge choice of foods for all the group including hot and cold dishes.


After lunch, the group enjoyed the Barcelona City Bus Tour.


This is the monument of Columbus. He is pointing out towards America.


A view of the city from up high. The players were amazed how big the city is!


This is the Olympic Arena, built for the 1992 Olympics. Until recently it was also home to RCD Espanyol. You can see the Olympic torch that was lit for the duration of the games.


The statue on the left outside the Arena, was a symbol of the games and was to represent an Athlete bowing to receive a medal.


At the entrance to the old town, Caleb is indescribably relieved that he has a short break to go to the toilet!!!


Tam and Neil enjoying the Barcelona sun!


The old Bull Ring before it was made into a shopping centre!


The boys then had a short time to relax back at the Hotel before their final training session in Barcelona.


RCD Espanyol coach, Marc Ventura again put the boys through their paces, this time concentrating on movement of the ball at pace. 



Tom takes full advantage of Marc's knowledge by taking notes from all the sessions. Tom is very committed to not only improving the players of Letham Tangerines but also improving his own knowledge of the game to allow him to provide better coaching. 


The players cool down after a demanding session.


Letham Tangerines with RCD Espanyol Coach, Marc Ventura.


The group travelled into the city for an evening meal at Vaca Paca Restaurant and then an early night after an exhausting day!