Cherries' open training session - a popular touch

It was announced a couple of days ago that AFCB would hold an open training session at PPL Park today. It will be a popular move with soccer fans in Philadelphia who will have the chance to see top Premier League players do their training in full view and for free. The cooperation between Philadelphia Union and AFCB is great to see and building relationships across the Atlantic with the MLS is something that will certainly help put the Cherries on the map.

AFCB's players will be treading the turf at PPL Park .

It would have been easy to train behind closed doors and keep fans and scouts away from the touchlines but AFCB want to give something back to the local community in Philadelphia and I hope that the initiative is well supported by fans in the local area. It would I suppose be similar to an Italian club coming to Kings Park and offering a free training session for fans to see - I think I'd be keen to have a peak. Hopefully the players can also sign some programmes for the kids as well and take a few photos.

I imagine the session my be fairly relaxed and entertaining. But it is not that often that AFCB themselves get to train in such a big stadium and it should be good for the team to get a feel for the pitch ahead of the friendly match. One or two of the players have already commented on the fabulous setting of the stadium and they seem to be looking forward to it - the pictures certainly look great. I think in a few days time they may even have to try and pick themselves up a bit when they have to fly back to the UK.

One final thought - will we see one of the new AFCB shirts on the players when they take on Philadelphia Union?

Tomorrow we will chart with Rival lines to Brotherly Game a Philadelphia Union Blog.

ALl Departments has a new podcast out today called Stars in Stripes. Scrolldown teh right handside panel on Cherry Chimes website to see the acast podcast or visit All Departments' website.