FOOTBALLING students from Haslingden High School got tips from the top on an amazing five-day trip to Valencia in Spain.
Forty Year 9 and 10 students enjoyed a tour of Valencia’s stadium, sitting in the chairs normally used for press conferences and admiring the trophy cabinet as well as the pitch.
Training sessions with top Spanish coaches were held twice a day where the students learned new skills that they will now take to their teams back in Lancashire.
Joe Rodwell, 14, who plays for Preston North End as well as the school team, said: “We got to see Villarreal play Real Madrid. The noise inside the stadium when either side scored was the biggest uproar I have ever heard at a match.
“There was a really good atmosphere and we got to see Ronaldo, one of the leading footballers.
“In the training sessions we learnt so much, it is a different style of play in Spain.
“It is all about passing and they tell you off if you kick a long ball and unlike in the English game you are encouraged to get the ball as near to goal before taking a shot.”
Jacob Holland-Wilkinson, 14, said: “It was a great experience and the facilities at Valencia were quality and the weather was fantastic.”
Joe and Josh Marsden, 14, are both in Year 10 and so got to play a match against the Valencia academy team for 80 minutes with the final score 2-1 to the home side.
Josh said: “We got to see players of the future in the Valencia side and one Chinese player was just amazing.”