Manchester City’s Academy Director, Jim Cassells, today spoke about his delight at having had the six Central American footballers from the Digicel Kick Start Clinics spend the week training at Man. City’s Academy.

Having observed them all week during their training sessions, Cassells had this to say about the six talented young footballers: “First impressions are important and when I met the boys on Sunday night at the airport, I knew instantly that they would enjoy themselves at Manchester City. It’s been an absolute pleasure for us to work not only with good footballers, but with top class people as well. At Man. City, we believe that if you have top class people, then you will get top class footballers.

“On a personal note, I have enjoyed working and socializing with them and their work ethic has been an absolute delight. Each boy has different footballing skills, but there is no doubt in my mind that they will all go on and contribute to the development of football in their respective countries – whether it be as a player or in some other capacity in the game.

“I think this trip to Man. City,as a football and cultural visit, has been a huge success for all concerned – for Digicel, Man. City and, most importantly, these six talented young footballers. As a club, we would have no hesitation in accommodating a visit of this type again in the future.” 

Cassells also had some advice for the boys as they prepare to return to their respective homes in Central America: “The one thing that impressed me the most about these boys was their love of the game. And the one thing that is absolutely spot on is that if they continue to work along the lines that they are presently on, then there is no reason at all why they shouldn’t achieve success in the future – in their football careers and in life in general.”

The footballers concluded their final day of training with Man. City today. Before returning to Central America, they will be taking in a match between Man. City and BlackBurn Rovers’ Academy teams tomorrow.