A DREAM TRIP to the Netherlands for a youth football team is hanging by a thread.

Pwllheli’s Under 14s side were due to compete in a two-day football tournament this summer in Eindhoven, but the “life-changing” trip may have to be cancelled after a problem with booking the flights.

The team coach Ben Ogilvy said this would be the first time a team from Pwllheli had travelled abroad to compete in a competition, partaking in the Juliana Malden Cup against teams from all over the continent.

“Competing in a foreign country against foreign teams and top quality players will be a major learning curve for them and the kids are excited,” he told the Cambrian News.

“This could be a life-changing experience for the boys and something that they might not get the opportunity to do again.

“Unfortunately the trip hasn’t been plain sailing and we have had a major problem with flights.

“Our flights had been booked and paid for, only for our return flights to be cancelled and refunded with no explanation whatsoever.

“We had to look for alternative flights back. We managed to find some from Dusseldorf in Germany, but the cost was extremely expensive.

“It has taken us more than £1,000 over budget, and the trip is in jeopardy of being cancelled because we have had to use money raised for the accommodation to pay for the flights.

“So we are looking for help from local businesses through donations or sponsorship to make sure this once-in-a-lifetime trip can go ahead.”

Cancelling the trip would be a devastating blow for the youth team, who are hugely excited about the prospect of playing abroad.

Team captain Marcus Banks said: “As captain of Pwllheli Under 14s team, I am looking forward to going to Holland with my teammates to represent the town, and to play in an international tournament.

“It would be a great experience for all of us. On behalf of all the players we would like to thank all the local people and business that have supported us so far.”

Anybody interested in supporting the team’s summer plans can contact Ben Ogilvy on 07929 349807.