Children from De Beauvoir and St Matthias Primary Schools trekked across London on Monday morning with ReachOut! to far away Motspur Park. After an hour and a half on buses and trains they arrived at their destination, a gated compound deep in London suburbia. The children waited outside as the gates were opened and an array of people emerged to meet them – for this was none other than the training ground of Fulham Football Club, and the kids were attending a Fulham FC experience, courtesy of Barclays Wealth, one of the sponsors of the ReachOut! Soccer School. 
Passing through the car park, filled with Porsches, Audis and Range Rovers, the ReachOut! kids were given a Barclays t-shirt each and then whisked off to Fulham’s indoor astro pitch, set in an inflatable dome next to the first team training pitches. Catching glimpses of stars like Mark Schwarzer and Brede Hangeland as they passed, the children were ushered inside the dome for an hour of top football coaching from Fulham FC staff.
Over the next hour they were put through their paces by elite coaches, showing great skill and enthusiasm as they did their best to impress (always hoping to be scouted). Afterwards they were joined by Mark Hughes and Clint Dempsey for a question and answer session and shirt signing! The Fulham gaffer was in great form as he told the kids about his pride when asked to manage Wales and Clint Dempsey filled the kids in on what it takes for players to get scouted back home in the USA. After half an hour of questions and photos we filed back to the train station, tired but happy after a unique experience.
The boys had a great day, as did all the accompanying adults (see below!), and we wish Fulham, Mark and Clint all the best for the remainder of the season. Many thanks to Nick Whitbread, Kate Barber and everyone else at Barclays Wealth who gave the kids the chance to go to this event!Peter Blackwell
I have not seen quite nice kids fulham kit.
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