BURY’S Under-18s champions face a tough start to the coming campaign following the release of the new fixtures.

Their first home match in the Football League Youth Alliance North West Division, on Saturday, August 22, will be against last season’s main rivals Wigan, who lost their final game to hand the title to the Shakers.

But returning striker George Miller believes the youth team will be perfectly prepared to hit the ground running after the club was chosen to take part in a pre-season tour of Holland.

Bury will join Crewe, Millwall and Wolves on the trip, which runs from July 27 to August 8 and includes matches against Dutch sides Vitesse Arnhem U19s, VFL Bochum U17s and Willem II U17s.

As well as the chance to improve match fitness ahead of the new season, the tour, organised by LFE (League Football Education), is designed to allow an exchange of ideas between coaches and player from both countries.

“It is a great opportunity for us all to work with foreign coaches and players,” said Miller, who scored 12 goals for Bury in his first season with the U18s despite breaking his leg midway through the campaign.

“Obviously the three matches will help us boost our fitness, but I am hoping to use the time over there to maybe add something extra to my game that I can take with me into the new season.

“I scored 12 goals last year but I am sure I could have scored more and that is something our manager (Ryan Kidd) wants me to work on.

“He is happy with my approach play and the work I put in for the team, I just need to work on my finishing to get to that next level.

“That is maybe something I can work on in Holland.”

Miller is confident, however, that the Bury contingent heading out to the Netherlands will not be out of their depth.

The 17-year-old forward added: “Every player at Bury, from the first team down through the academy, is encouraged to play passing football.

“Our coaching is already based around the Dutch style, but it will be great to see first-hand how they do things over there.”

Bury’s U18s will be based in Venlo, close to Eindhoven, on the Dutch-German border.

As well as coaching sessions and matches, the young players will also take part in cultural activities with their host club and enjoy a day out in Amsterdam.

Helen Smithson, head of education at the Shakers academy, helped put together Bury’s application to take part in the trip, which would have cost £50,000 but has been made possible by European funding through the Erasmus+ programme.

“It is a fantastic opportunity for these young lads to go over there and experience a different way of doing things,” said Smithson, a 58-year-old former teacher, who took up the role with the academy 12 months ago.

“As well as learning about Total Football and the Dutch approach to training and nutrition, they will get a taste of what it is like to live and work in a different country.

“You never know, some them may even end up playing in Holland in the future.”

Smithson believes the tour is also an important step forward for Bury.

More than 20 clubs, including some from the Premier League, applied to take part, with those chosen considered to best represent English football in terms of the education and training they offer apprentices.

“This is also a chance for us to show the world what is great about Bury Football Club, what is great about our coaching and the education we offer our young players.”

Tour diary: Vitesse Arnhem U19s (Saturday, August 1), VFL Bochum U17s (Tuesday, August 4), Willem II U17s (Saturday, August 8).

Upcoming fixtures: Bury U18s kick off their title defence at Accrington on Saturday, August 15, before their first home game against Wigan on August 22. The first month of the campaign also include matches at home to Blackpool (September 12) and Preston (September 26).