On Friday we reported on the incredible performance by the Glentoran Academy 2004 team on winning their fourth consecutive Foyle Cup. Following the victory, Academy the Academy received the following letter from award winning German football writer, Dietrich Schulze – Marmeling.
This is the highest possible praise to the boys and their coach, Jason Lindsay, particularly coming from the home of the World Champions! Well done to everyone involved.
Hello,
I’m a football writer from Germany (I won the „”Football Book of the Year“-award 2011) and an official of TuS Altenberge 09. Our Under 13/12 team took part in the Foyle Cup 2017. (In the past our Under 15, Under 17 joined Foyle Cup 2005 and Milk Cup 2004, 2006 and 2013).
Friday night we watched your final against GPS – and we left the place deeply impressed, almost stunned. We still discuss what we’ve seen.
I’ve been to many under 13 games in Germany – including encounters between the academy teams of professional clubs.
But in this age group it was the best performance I’ve ever seen. Speed, power, an extreme maturity (taking in account the age of the boys) concerning tactical stuff, great passing (precise and with force), a fantastic mentality. This against an opposition with great footballers too. Next day we watched the Under 14 final. But we couldn’t enjoy it – we were too spoiled by what we’ve seen the night before.
We would like to learn more about the Glentoran academy and how it works. Particularly concerning this age group.
In October I’m in Belfast for the WCQ game Northern Ireland vs Germany (with a group of journalists from Germany).
Perhaps we can meet.
Regards
Dietrich Schulze – Marmeling / TuS Altenberge 09