..to all our sponsors and to all who kindly donated towards our trip, we really could not have done it without you.

Ardbeg Distillery, W+M Currie, Diageo, Grants of Dufftown, A.U Automation, Premium Power Units, Livingstone and McEachern, Little Angels Nursary, John MacEachern, Ballygrant Inn and restaurant, Bowmore Co-op , Islay Crab Exports, Pillage malt crew, Bi-water Leslie, Colin Logan Builders, Islay Pharmacy, and also the kind donations of the people of Islay.Thank you all.

Well, thats us all home safely. Been a long day, but boys coped very well with all the travelling, no moans or complaints. Its been a great experience for us all, and I think the boys have gained an awful lot out of this trip. Its been a very ‘full’ trip, not much spare time but its been great fun.

Personally, its the best trip I have ever been involved in. The main reason for this was the lads who were participating. They really are a pleasure to take away, no problem at all, any of them.  It makes the months of fundraising, organising and planning worth while. I know I have said it before but they are a credit to you, and you should be very proud of them. Also could I say a big thank you to the parents who came along and helped, and at times entertained!!!!

We will be doing a presentation this weekend of all photos and videos from the trip, this will be presented by the boys. Once organised I will be in touch to let you know times and venue

Once in a lifetime trip????……. you never know!!!!!!!!!!!!

Cheers

Graham

I am Tired and i want to get bed, returned from heron city almost in one piece. The valencia express took an almighty Klinsman through the water feature but still arrived at bowling on time!!!!!! Cammy “The Cat” was the king of bowling once again whilst dougie hatton was number one in the kids. On to Lazer Quest for the grudge match, Men against Boys.  The adults decided to use their stage names!! the  kids were under pressure when they heard they were up against  Rambo, John Maclaine, the assassin, boaby, womaniser, Bono (007), and Juan. Anyone can guess who’s who, anwser on a postcatd!!!

Back at the hotel, all bags packed and checked then straight to bed.

Until tomorrow…….

Another early start after a late night. All up on time though(apart from the goalie!!). Training at 9am followed by match against Montesion 12′s. They gave us a lesson on how to play continental football the right way!!! A great learning experience for our lads. We then had a presentation for the boys. Carlos, Toni and Juan did a talk about the weekend, told the boys they were very well behaved, attentive and good fun. Their attitude was also praised. They received a certificate, a pendant, a pin badge and an engraved medal. The club were also presented with an A2 size photo of the squad. It was back to the hotel for the now traditional game of ‘kerby’ at the main entrance before lunch. Their final training session followed. Its now back at hotel, packing the bags before tea, then off to Heron city for the laserquest re match……..

Graham

What a match!!!! Valencia trounced Real Madrid 3-0!! We had great seats as you will see by photos. The boys had a fab time. The journey back to hotel was passed by kids entertaining passers by from the bus window, they even got a glimpse of a naked lady on a bus!! ( well a blow up one that was waving to them!!!!!!)

The night ended with a chance meeting outside hotel reception with Valencia star striker David Villa( him at the top of the blog home page)!!!!! They all got a photo with him, which was amazing!! Best striker in europe at the moment mingling with the Islay Boys!!!!!

Another match in the morning, i’ll keep you posted.

Graham

It was an early start this morning, breakfast at 8am. Training started at 9 am this  morning. Our coach Toni worked on set pieces with the boys today, in preperation for the match this afternoon. We learned that the Valencia first team were training at the same place as us today, behind closed doors though. After training we waited around the gates of the training pitch hoping to catch a glimpse of the stars. We were really lucky. All the boys met the majority of the first team squad when they were driving out of the ground. Stars such as David Villa, David Silva, Joaquin, Edu and Asier Del Horno were more than happy to stop and sign autographs and have photos taken with our boys. They were all really chuffed to have met these guys!! Kevin bought a Valencia top and got all the players to sign it!! Dont wash that one Caroline!!!

We played our first match this afternoon against Serranos 11′s. We played 9 a side on a full size pitch which was a bit different for our boys. They all played very well and it ended up in a 3-1 defeat for us.  Nothing to be ashamed off at all. Heading back for tea now, then to the Mestalla for Valencia -  Real Madrid match. Check out the photos of the day so far….

Graham

Heres some pictures from Heron City. It was dinner at Frankie and Benny’s followed by ten pin bowling. Juan was the best scoring adult (as usual!) closely followed by Cammy the cat. We then went to Laserquest when the adults got serious!! Graham ‘Rambo’ Logan donned the headband before entering the darkness of laserquest, where it was adults versus kids, not suppossed to be competitive but lets just say we adults gubbed them!!!!!!!! We have a rematch challenge for Sunday, which we graciously accepted of course. Playing our 1st match tomorrow, so wish them luck. Until tomorrow…….

GB

Its now 6pm, boys have completed their afternoons training, Doug also had specialist goalie training. Went really well, alot of new skills have been picked up(and that was just watching us adults playing!!! Potential old crocks team????). Just waiting to go to Heron city now……. Todays photos are now up loaded, check out Juan in his IBFC top!!!

Graham

Just finished this mornings training session. Weather alot better today for training, cooler. Afraid its only about 20 degrees just now, sunny, no wind at all, its been tough !!!!Boys got on great, some great performances again. Specialist goalkeeping training this afternoon as well as another 2 hour training session in preperation for tomorrow afternoons match against Serranos.

Slight disappointment that Valencia 1st team decided to train at the Mestalla stadium this morning and not here. They did manage to watch the ‘B’ team in training though.

Meanwhile adults took part in a competitive friendly 4 a side match, which included Inspire sport rep Juan ‘womaniser’ Sanchez!! His goal tally was kept to a minimum by a superb performance by Cammy ‘the cat’ Mitchell in goal. A photo of Juan will appear later. The Valencia express was slightly slower than yesterday though!

All of todays trianing photos will be on tonight before we head to Heron city.

Graham

The boys  have a photoshoot at 0945 tomorrow followed by training session. The Valencia 1st squad are training at same pitches as our boys tomorrow so hopefully they will get to meet some of the players.

After lunch its more training for boys whilst adults have a wee kick about,  the Valencia express will be in full steam!!!!! There is specialist goalie training.  In the evening we are going to Heron city for dinner and bowling , laser quest etc.

Graham