Another pre-season Dutch treat for Pools

By Clarence Rode
July 21 2007

Hartlepool boss Danny Wilson is taking 23 players on the club’s pre-season training trip to Holland, which would have meant a busy time for a few of them as they originally had three friendly games in three days. The party travels to Holland on Sunday (July 22), and will as usual stay at the Dutch FA (KNVB) training academy during their visit.

They play RKC Wallwijk in Vaassen on Tuesday July 24, the match against Ankaraspor of Turkey on Wednesday July 25 has now been cancelled, and they face Kiryat Schomona of Israel at Rheden near Arnhem on Thursday.

The players making the trip to the academy (right) are:Jan Budtz, Arran Lee-Barrett, Jamie McCunnie, Robbie Elliott, Michael Nelson, Ben Clark, Micky Barron, Godwin Antwi, Richie Humphreys, Willie Boland, Antony Seeeney, Gary Liddle, Andy Monkhouse, Lee Bullock, Ali Gibb, Matty Robson, Stephen Turnbull, Richie Barker, James Brown, Joel Porter, Ian Moore, David Foley and Michael Mackay.

Wilson says the trip will be a test for his players which should not only help them gain full match fitness with the new season just three weeks away, but will also be a team bonding exercise for the squad.

Wilson was pleased with his team’s performance in the 3-1 home defeat by a strong Newcastle United squad five days before setting off for Holland and he wants the attitude they showed in that gamer to continue throughout the pre-season campaign.

Their next home friendly maintains the Dutch connection when AZ Alkmaar visit Victoria Park on Wednesday, August 1.