Spanish dream team make Barca boys’ day

Aug 2 2007 By Tina Kemp, Lennox Herald

THE boys of Barcalomond were in a Liga of their own last week when they met their superstar soccer namesakes.

Fifteen youngsters from the local club shook hands and chatted with the Spanish dream team during a visit to their training camp in St Andrew’s.

The stunned youngsters were given exclusive access to Barcelona’s training area on Wednesday morning before meeting every one of the players, who were in Scotland for two pre-season friendlies.

This week, club coach Garry Larkin, who accompanied the lads on their fantasy football trip, said: “It was absolutely amazing. The boys are just flying.”

The Lennox revealed last week how the La Liga legends had issued a VIP invitation to the youngsters after learning that they shared the same name.

Coach Stuart Dobson’s wife Donna e-mailed the club months ago when she heard they were coming to Scotland and was amazed when PR boss Albert Marinez replied with the once in a lifetime invitation.

There were a few anxious weeks before Albert called on Tuesday night to confirm the team — who play in the blue and maroon of their heroes and sport a Barcelona badge complete with saltire — could travel to the training camp first thing the next morning.

The excited boys, together with Garry, Donna and grandparent Billy Oliver, boarded a bus at 6.30am and within hours were watching the world’s most famous players go through their paces.

Garry said: “The kids were taken into the reserved area beside all the media to watch the team training. At the end of the training session they lined them all up to meet the team. All the players came over — Ronaldinho, Thierry Henry, Eto’o — to chat and sign autographs. It was amazing to see them.”

The youngsters’ Barca strips and badge attracted media attention and they were interviewed by the BBC, as well as being photographed for a national newspaper.

Garry paid tribute to Albert Martinez, who he said was brilliant with the team — one of only two in Scotland invited. He also thanked Polaroid Eyewear who provided jackets in time for the trip, Speedy Motifs in Glasgow Road for making sure the embroidery was ready and Quinn’s Rental in Elm Road who opened their yard at 9.30pm to ensure the team got their van for the trip.

“It was all a bit of a panic and we were a bit worried it would be an anti-climax, but it all came off,” said Garry. “It was absolutely amazing.”

To see more photos of the trip visit www.barcalomond.com

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MAN OF THE MATCH: The Barca boys with Albert Martinez, left, who arranged their dream trip.

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OUR HEROES: Ronaldinho chats to the lads while Thierry Henry approaches, left.