JACK Page and Taye Power-O’Toole openly admit they’re Manchester United fans, but when an opportunity presents itself, you have to make a sacrifice or two.
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Page and Power-O’Toole will head to Abu Dhabi on December 11 with the Football Mid North Coast under-14 National Premier League side.
It will form part of an eight-day trip where the team will train and play against teams from the Manchester City Academy.
If they make an impression, the Red Devil posters on their wall might have to come down and be replaced by City ones.
“It’s all good besides the fact they’re rivals in the Premier League, but it should be a good experience,” Page said when asked about his thoughts on training with the City academy.
The 13-year-old has already played with West Ham United’s Oceania Academy during a trip to England in 2015 and has also previously been scouted by Sydney FC.
Now he can tick off a link with Manchester City as he pursues a career in the English Premier League.
Power-O’Toole wants to improve on the weaker aspects of his game on the way to becoming a better player.
He’s looking forward to the experience although it is with an element of nerves.
It’s all good besides the fact they’re rivals in the Premier League, but it should be a good experience.
- Jack Page
“I feel a bit nervous, but it will be fun over there,” he said.
“It’s the first major step for me on the way (to the Premier League) and I want to play for the Socceroos.”
FMNC technical director Larry Budgen will accompany the team. He is hopeful it will be the beginning of something more significant.
“It’s our first real link with a high-level academy,” he said.
“While it’s not a talent identification trip as such, they will be working with some of the Manchester City Academy coaches where they will be tested against the best.
“It’s the first trip that we’ve sent from here so we’re testing the water a little bit and hopefully it becomes a regular thing.”
Also included in the trip is a visit to the 43,000-seat capacity Zayed Sports Stadium for a FIFA Club World Cup match.
“They’ll walk the players out onto the pitch on December 13 which will be a match involving Real Madrid and someone else who has to qualify,” Budgen said.
“It’s the first trip that we’ve sent from here so we’re testing the water a little bit and hopefully it becomes a regular thing.”
- FMNC technical director Larry Budgen
Cristiano Ronaldo is expected to line up for Real Madrid in that encounter.
The experience in Abu Dhabi will be a significant change from training at Wayne Richards Park.
“The facilities are world class – the boys won’t know what hit them,” Budgen said.
“I’ve always told the boys that when they’re training you never know who is watching so it’s important to put your best foot forward.”
