We look forward to welcoming a group of teenagers from Japan to Spotland for Saturday’s League One fixture v Yeovil Town.
Around 30 youngsters, who are all aged 16, will take in the game from the Pearl Street Stand.
The boys all play for Urawa East High School Football Club (based north of Tokyo) and are in Manchester as part of their annual tour.
Since 2006, kids from the team have been visiting Manchester to help with their football development, as well as gaining international experience.
The current goalkeeper of the Japan national side, Eiji Kawashima, who plays for Standard Liege, was a prospective ‘keeper at the school. They’ve also produced eight J-League players. The J-League is Japan’s top professional division.
Amongst those attending with the group is the Chairman of the J-League Division 2 and ex-Rochdale Youth an Reserve team players, Alan Keeling and Dean Hill.
If you see the lads, we hope you’ll give them a warm welcome.