Derry Rovers Schoolboys off to Merseyside

DERRY Rovers have announced details of a trip to Liverpool which will take place in February next year and which will see their three schoolboys teams travel over for the weekend

The teams will stay for two nights on Merseyside for what should be an unbelievable occasion for all the underage players.

The three teams, U-9s,U-15s and U-16s will be playing against the Liverpool lads on the Friday afternoon after arriving earlier in the day. It is hoped that the lads will take in a Premier League game on the Saturday depending on the fixture list for that weekend.

This is a trip that the Schoolboys committee have been planning for a long time and with the current Schoolboys section expanding and thriving with excellent on field results, the committee is thrilled to confirm this ground breaking trip that will cement the clubs strong links with Liverpool.

With the Liverpool Legends having played twice in the last year in Brians Park, its now great to see the connection through Liverpool and Republic of Ireland Legend John Aldridge and our club Chairman Pat McBride to now incorporate our Schoolboys into the equation.

John has been strongly involved on Merseyside in organising the important details like accommodation and the games to be played. He was also in Edenderry last weekend to launch the trip travelling all the way from Belfast after playing an exhibition match such was his determination to be around for the official launch.

It will be an action packed weekend for the teams that is for sure. Ronnie Whelan, another former Liverpool Legend who recently attended the Schoolboy Awards night in September, will also be there to meet the lads on the weekend as he lives in Southport which is only a short drive from Liverpool.

He will offer the three teams the benefit of his vast experience and knowledge. Other ex players like Alan Kennedy and Jason McAteer will also be around over the weekend to meet the lads so it truly will be the ultimate Liverpool experience for all concerned.

Due to the recession in the country and high unemployment, the club are very much aware and understanding of people’s circumstances locally and have set the cost of the trip at only €50 per child. This will include Ferry and Coach and two nights at a top hotel in Liverpool and also to include new tracksuits and gear bags for each child.

This is marvelous value for our schoolboys but to fund this trip, the clubs schoolboys committee will be calling on the local community to help out with various fundraisers with all funds raised dedicated totally to the schoolboys.

Forthcoming events organised in relation to this historic trip include a Poker Classic,a sponsored Parachute Jump,Table Quiz,Bag Pack in Dunnes Stores and a selection of fundraising nights in the clubs local the Corner House.