Duncan looks forward to Blues kids’ Holland tour (From Echo)

Duncan looks forward to Blues kids’ Holland tour

4:00pm Thursday 5th July 2012 in Blues By Chris Phillips

SOUTHEND United’s youth team are heading to Holland as part of their pre-season preparations.

Ricky Duncan’s side travel to their Enschede base on Monday before playing both Eintracht Nordhorn and Emsdetten ’05 in quick succession.

And Duncan believes the tour will be a great way for his youngsters to start their season.

“We’ve gone on tour for the past six years now and it’s always a very worthwhile exercise so I’m sure this will be no different,” said Duncan.

“We’re playing a couple of German teams while we’re out there who will provide us with a real test on the pitch – but it will be just as useful off the pitch for us too.

“We have a number of first year scholars coming in to the squad and having everyone together will be of great benefit.

“It will help them settle in much quicker and we will have great training facilities while we’re out there as well.”

Twenty one players and six members of staff will be making the trip.

And Duncan was full of praise for both the Shrimpers Trust and the League Football Education scheme who have helped to fund the trip.

“The support from the Trust is fantastic and we appreciate that,” said Duncan.

“The LFE give us money every time one of our players does well in their studies and we always put that towards the tours.

“That way, if they work hard they get something back for it and it seems to work well.”

Blues face Eintracht on Tuesday before playing Emsdetten ’05 two days later.

The team will then return from the tour on Friday before continuing their pre-season preparations back in Southend.