YOUNG footballers were given a VIP experience at one of the world's most famous football clubs.

Players, coaches and chaperones from Eight Ash Green Youth Football Club under 11s visited Barcelona's Nou Camp stadium for a three day trip last week where they played on training pitches in a tournament against teams from across the country and were given a tour of the length and breadth of the ground.

Unfortunately, due to a scheduling mix-up which involved an amateur rugby tournament taking place at the same time, the youngsters were not able to officially play on the Nou Camp pitch, but were invited on an exclusive behind the scenes look at the most off limit parts of the iconic stadium reserved for those wearing the famous red and blue stripes.

Usually, the home dressing rooms are kept under lock and key to all but the players and coaching staff of the club, but the boys were able to get inside and sit in the room which has been shared by everyone from legends Diego Maradona, Johan Cruyff, Xavi and Pep Guardiola to modern day heroes Lionel Messi, Luis Suarez Neymar, Andres Iniesta and Gerard Pique.

They were also given the chance to play on the B team pitch which is yards away from the main stadium.

Club chairman Dean Heap said: "In actual fact the B team pitch was probably a better surface anyway so it did not turn out all badly.

"The regular tours do not usually include trips to the home dressing rooms but we were allowed in there as a treat for the boys and they went down onto the edge of the pitch."

The company which organised the trip, Precision Pass, and FC Barcelona are currently holding an investigation to find out why some of the children were unable to play on the main stadium.

After hearing about the mix-up, Mr Heap said Colchester United had already been in touch with him and both clubs are hoping to come together for a treat for the youngsters soon.

Players from Eight Ash Green Youth Football Club under 10s were able to play on the pitch when they visited earlier this month and came close to winning the competition.

Mr Heap said the only thing which could have made their experience better was being able to lift the winner's trophy, although they did come home with some silverware.

He said: "It was phenomenal. To come out of the tunnel with the music blaring was incredible.

"The club has played against all kinds of academies like Arsenal, West Ham, Tottenham and Chelsea but this was the best experience yet."