BARCA-LOMOND

Jul 26 2007 By Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald

FOOTBALL-DAFT Dumbarton youngsters were this week meeting their soccer giant namesakes Barcelona.

The Spanish superstars, who arrived in Scotland on Monday amid a media flurry, were thrilled to learn that Barcalomond under-10s were named after them.

So they invited the local team, established just last season, to their St Andrew’s training camp as special guests today (Wednesday).

Stunned players and coaches were left gobsmacked when the La Liga legends, who boast some of the world’s best players including Ronaldinho and Thierry Henry, issued the invitation on Saturday.

Donna Dobson, whose husband Stuart is team coach, said: “We can’t believe a team like Barcelona bothered about a wee club like ours. It’s amazing. We’re delighted for the boys.”

Around a dozen of the players, who come from all over Dumbarton and the Vale, were due to travel to St Andrew’s to see the Spanish giants in action at their six-day training camp.

Donna said: “There will be an area for the public to watch them train but we will be in a special area as the club’s guests.

“The boys will see the team training and hopefully meet some of the players. I still can’t believe they’ve done this. It’s a total shock.”

It was Donna who set up the meeting for the lads, who only discovered the surprise when Stuart, and fellow coach Garry Larkin, called some of them to set up a photo for The Lennox.

She explained: “When I heard that Barcelona were coming to play Hearts and Dundee United, I decided to write to them.

“Barcelona got back in touch and said they would contact us closer to the time.

“They e-mailed on Friday and asked me to give them a call and they would arrange something. I phoned them on Saturday and they said to come through to St Andrew’s as their special guests.”

Both Barcelona’s Scottish pre-season friendlies, scheduled for Thursday and Saturday, are sell-outs.

One of the most successful clubs in Europe, Barcelona have twice won the Champions League, lifted the UEFA Cup Winners’ Cup four times and have never been relegated from the premier division.

They boast past players such as the legendary Maradona and Johan Cruyff, while the current dream team includes Deco, Samuel Eto’o and captain Carlos Puyol, who is regarded as one of the best defenders in the world.

The Barcalomond boys — who play in the blue and maroon of their heroes — hope that some of the Nou Camp magic may brush off as they return to training.

That’s at Dumbarton Academy playing fields, where they’re preparing for the new season which will see them field three teams in the West Dunbartonshire Football Development League.

“This is a great start to the new season for the boys,” said Donna. “They are just thrilled, and some of their parents are every bit as excited.”