Pro Touch Soccer Academy Under-11s celebrate with their Millwall FC counterparts after an evening of all-action football 

Published: 29 January, 2015

A TOP squad of wannabe professional footballers from Pro Touch Soccer Academy kicked off an exciting 2015 fixture list this week when they tackled youth teams from two high-profile Championship clubs. 

More than 50 boys swapped their regular surroundings at the artificial pitches in Market Road, Islington, for the Millwall Community Trust in south London where they got to tackle the best young players The Lions had to offer.

Not only did the youngsters enjoy the chance to take on their counterparts from Millwall FC, but they also faced academy sides representing London rivals Watford. 

Action man: Ian Sotelo, 9, (left) fires up against Millwall

Pro Touch Academy director Ash Rahman said there were “plenty of reasons to be proud of his players” following the testing away days. “For many of the boys, this was the first time that they had experienced playing against professional academies,” he said. “They played some good football, and all worked tirelessly to prove that they can play in various positions across the pitch against top quality opposition. 

“Our philosophy at Pro Touch is that it’s not about winning, but the performance and development of our players,” added Ash. 

“And against top sides from Millwall and Watford all the boys proved they’re getting better and ready to handle the challenges set by professional clubs, which will come in handy ahead of the upcoming games against Premier League sides Tottenham, West Ham and Crystal Palace.”