Top scouts out in force for AIFF
Published:
YOUNG stars in this summer’s Aberdeen International Football Festival at Seaton Park will get the chance to catch the eyes of scouts from top English clubs.
Premier League sides Portsmouth and Newcastle United will be represented at the event, along with Leicester City.
Festival director Gordon Naismith is also hoping one of the English teams will also be able to provide a squad of youths to take part in the boys’ under-16 section after Regensburg pulled out.
He said: “We’ve had one drawback as Regensburg can’t bring over two teams.
“The boys have fallen by the wayside, but the girls are coming.”
Gordon added: “There will be scouts from Newcastle, Portsmouth and Leicester coming and I’ve asked if it will be possible for one of them to provide a team.”
Newcastle famously sent up a side in 1983 that included future England star Paul Gascoigne.
Gordon is remaining tight-lipped on the full line-up for the festival, which will be revealed at the official launch on Thursday, July 10.
But he is confident the 28th running of the tournament will be another success.
Gordon said: “I am sure it’s going to be a good festival, with a healthy international flavour.”
The start of last year’s competition was hit by torrential rain on the opening day, although ultimately there were no postponements.
This time Gordon is hoping for good weather right through the extravaganza, which kicks-off on Monday, July 14.
He said: “Hopefully we will get a lot of sunshine.
“I always like the finals to be on a good, dry day so folk go away with good memories of games played in great weather.”
Summer sun should also ensure more people visit the festival, with Gordon eager to see more fresh faces in the crowd.
He added: “We still get two to three thousand spectators coming along.
“But over 28 years things change and more people go abroad on holiday now.
“The stalwarts still come and I have seen the same folk for over two decades.
“It would also be good to have more young people at the festival.”
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