Most of us as players have been together for some years. We have been looked after by Richard Nicholas, St. John Ash and Bernie Lewis. Their coaching and dedication has helped us develop as individual players and as a team.

 The idea of a football tour came as a great surprise to us as players. We think we are lucky to be given the chance to experience such an event. Since agreeing on the venue we have been busy playing our league games and trying to improve our position in the table. But to be honest most of the talk is of Brussels ................ We can't wait !

Many local people have supported us. Days Van Hire is supplying one mini-bus .... Thank you ! Others have contributed track-suits or donated to our recent sponsored walk around Llansteffan.

What a great day that was ! On Sunday 7^th March we walked three miles around the village, only to be told by Bernie that we had another three laps to go ! We went to the Sticks Pub and watched the football instead ! We haven't had a final figure for that yet, but we know it's going to be big. People have supported us well.

The tournament will draw teams from all over Europe. We will be leaving very early on Good Friday to arrive at the sports complex in Brussels by that afternoon.

We are crossing through the Channel Tunnel .... great ! Many of us have never been to be Belgium so it's a complete education for us too.

We have no idea how difficult the football will be - but then again we just beat Tumble away from home and that's no easy task !

The Carmarthen Boys will be ready and giving it everything to make our town proud of us. We'll write again with more news soon.

We are nearly ready to begin our trip to Belgium. We leave tonight (1/4/99) at 9 p.m. from Richmond Park. Everyone is very excited ! We recently met the Mayoress and have received our brilliant track-suits. We'll look good in those in Brussels.

Our last training session on Monday was our last chance to practise together before the tournament this Saturday and Sunday. We have just beaten Drefach for the second time, this time in the cup competition, but know that we should have put them away sooner in the game. Richard, St. John and Bernie say we must get into our game sooner. We shall try to remember that advice during the tournament. The games will be only fifteen minutes each way, so there will be no time for mistakes !

We are staying in a sports complex just outside Brussels called Auderghem. It will be busy because there are also competitions for U.18s, U.16s and U.14s. We'll be playing on grass against teams from all over Europe. There are great facilities at the sports centre including a disco and swimming pool ! We'll have the chance to visit Brussels centre too which is full of history and excitement, not to mention CHOCOLATE ! Some of us want to see the TinTin Centre which is full of cartoons by the creator Herge ( he was from Belgium ).

Anderlecht have their home in Brussels too, so it would be nice to see the stadium. Who knows, they might fancy their chances against us !

We return on Easter Monday and will provide you with match reports, stats and the whole truth of how are coaches / dads got on in their match too ! We are looking forward to that !

But for now............Brussels here we come !!

On the outskirts of Brussels we stopped for something to eat at a service station. It was packed and hot ....where are our shorts? Lots of people were there for a sporting weekend. We had the impression that Belgium takes it sport very seriously !

Another hour on and we reached the sports ground of R,.U.A. Auderghem. Richard and St. John sorted the details and before long we were off again to find our hostel.

We reached the ground safely and saw that many games were underway. There were teams from all over Europe with many different age categories.

We were given a changing room and started preparing for the first game against R.K.V.V. St. Michiels "2" from Holland. The atmosphere in the changing room was tense and exciting. Richard handed out the new kit which was great,

Everyone was nervous to begin with. As the game started we played with caution trying not to give anything away. Suddenly we scored ! Great ! So we can do it ! The whole team relaxed and played football. We took control of the game and won it 4 - 0 ! A fantastic start .......you'd think that we had won the whole thing !

We had time then for some food and a relaxing walk around. Disco music blared out throughout the games, it was a real carnival atmosphere. This is good !

Our second game was towards the end of the afternoon against the home side Auderghem. We expected them to be a challenge. They had many teams in the competition. That was exactly what the game was ....... A big challenge. We played some lovely football and so did they. Neither team could break through so after a tight confrontation we drew 0 - 0.

The final whistle blew and we ahd scored ten goals and managed to keep them out of our half. One goal away from the final and the glory. What would happen now ? Who goes through ? Everyone had different ideas but in the end it was quite simple .... " PENALTY SHOOT OUT." We were to shoot out against the home side Auderghem , the joint winners of the group.

After a short break we made our way over to the pitch chosen for the shoot out. Five players from each team lined up on the muddiest pitch there ! It was a nervous time for everyone .....in particular the goalies. Our boys did their best but didn't score a goal. Their boys also did their best and scored ..................one goal ! We were out , they were in by one goal. One goal is enough and good luck to them. We now had the third and fourth place play-offs against ........ Barrhead, Glasgow ! Our Scottish mates !

We treated the game more as a friendly and lost it seven - nil. At the end of two full days of exciting football we had done oursleves proud and earned fourth place. We had much to reflect upon - the games, experiences and whole education of the event.

At the official presentation that evening we were given a handsome cup, a cup to be proud of back home. We had our best meal of the trip too that night at a local Pizzeria before heading to bed ready to pack and leave the next morning.

JOURNEY HOME

Monday morning, April 5^th, our last morning in Brussels. It was pouring with rain .......something like home ! We travelled smoothly towards the port and before long were sitting have lunch in a Little Chef just outside Folkestone. Carmarthen appeared on the horizon at about 7 p.m. Up Gaol Hill, towards the club and ............. mam and dad !

It was a great experience for us all. Both our football and our minds had been improved by all we saw and experienced. We are thankful to our coaches and organisers for all they did for us.

Diolch St. John ! .............. Diolch Richard ! Can we do it again ??

 Information on Belgium