This month, our Academy players returned to Murcia, a city in south-eastern Spain, for the latest instalment of their annual European training camps. After an early morning flight from Glasgow Prestwick, the team arrived at the Thalasia Costa de Murcia Hotel & Spa, where they settled in before enjoying breakfast and a short walk to their training facility at Pinatar Arena.

Academy Lead David Burns shared, “After a busy morning of travel, we dove into competitive matches against Spanish teams. Our first game featured a Murcia Regional XI at the Pinatar Arena. Both matches were closely contested, showcasing the technical skill and physicality of the Spanish players.

“The second day brought Real Murcia CF to Pinatar for a mixed-age match against our U16s and U18s. Each club fielded younger players in the first half and older ones in the second, which provided a balanced challenge for the players. Our U16s fell behind initially but fought hard, while the U18s turned the tide in the second half, emerging as the stronger team. The Real Murcia CF players and staff were friendly and courteous throughout.

“On the third day, we welcomed English side Racing Club Warwick for a friendly match. Our younger players outperformed their English counterparts, securing a comfortable victory, while the older group struggled to secure a win, resulting in a draw.

“The penultimate day took us to Valencia, where players enjoyed some rest and recovery in the morning, utilising the indoor pool and jacuzzi before boarding a coach to the city. A stop at the Mercabanyal food court allowed everyone to refuel in the afternoon sun, with burgers from Hundred being a popular choice. Later, we visited the iconic Mestalla Stadium to watch Valencia take on Sevilla. Despite Sevilla dominating possession and having a goal disallowed, it was Valencia’s Javi Guerra who scored the only goal in a tightly contested match.

“The final day in Spain was spent relaxing after a light-hearted training session at Pinatar. The atmosphere among the group was fantastic, fostering a sense of togetherness.

“This third training camp abroad was a thoroughly enjoyable experience for me, and I hope the players felt the same. As a coaching team, we gained valuable insights into the players, both in terms of their football skills and their personal and social dynamics. It was a privilege for us,”

David also expressed gratitude to all the coaches for their tremendous support throughout the camp, emphasising that the success of the camp would not have been possible without their dedication. Special thanks were extended to the staff at Pinatar Arena and Thalasia Costa de Murcia Hotel & Spa for their fantastic assistance.

“Beyond football, we’ve created lasting memories with a wonderful group of young people that we will cherish forever.”