In an exclusive diary for Liverpoolfc.tv U18s captain Conor Coady recalls his thoughts during the end of season tour of the Caribbean.

From lifting a well deserved trophy through to snorkelling with turtles, the 18-year-old provides an enjoyable look back at what proved to be a trip of a lifetime for the 20-man squad.

TUESDAY

It was an early start and we all turned up at Gatwick airport a little sleepy but excited about what lay ahead of us.

A lot of the lads like to play cards when we go on away trips but I was lucky enough to get three seats to myself on the first flight so I just chilled out and watched some films.

We had to take a second plane from Barbados to St Vincent and that was a bit of an experience.

Last pre-season I went on a trip with the reserves to Ireland on what I could only describe as a flying caravan! This one was similar but this time we had to contend with the heat as there was no air-con.

At that point you are tired and fed up of the travelling but when we arrived at Buccament Bay Resort we were all blown away. Looking at the streets of St Vincent you would never have imagined the paradise that we suddenly found ourselves in.

I was texting everyone I know. If I had their number in my phone they were getting a message to tell them how fantastic the resort was! My Mum was gutted when she realised how great it was.

The room had a plunge pool and as soon as I saw it I knew I'd be in it every night!

 

WEDNESDAY

The morning kicked off with torrential rain and as we made our way through the resort to Buccament Bay's very own training complex we were wondering where the sun had gone.

To be honest, it was quite refreshing but by the time we'd got a quarter of the way into the session there was blazing sunshine.

David Fairclough was with us and he didn't just join in - he scored the winner in the practice match at the end too!

It was such a great experience having a legend like him with us. He's been there and done everything. With me being a local lad it was extra special and he's a great role model for the whole squad.

I was straight on to my Dad after it to tell him he'd scored the winner. He couldn't believe I'd had the chance to train with him and he was made up for me!

Overall, the Astroturf pitch was good but we were all shattered by the end of training as a result of the heat.

That didn't stop us hitting the beach straight after it though! It had everything we wanted and there were a few games of volleyball followed by some kayaking.

I actually got stuck out at sea at one point! I took a kayak out with Karl Clair and he's a bit wary of the water. I started messing around rocking it from side to side trying to wind him up. But then I turned it and we got stuck on some rocks.

Straight away he started to flap! The lifeguard had to come out on his boat to rescue us! It was a crazy moment but a great laugh.

Everything about this trip was proving to be quite simply amazing.

The food was exceptional, the staff, the facilities -everything. I can't speak more highly of Buccament Bay Resort.

THURSDAY

The day of the game started with a bit of a shower and to be honest that suited us because we knew we needed to make sure we were well rested ahead of a game in intense heat.

I treated it just like a league game because I look to approach every match I play for this club in the most professional way possible.

It proved to be a very tough first half for us too. I don't think we expected them to be as good as they were. We knew they were a strong, physical side but they gave a good account of themselves and we knew we were in a real game approaching half time.

We settled down after the break, Rodolfo made some changes and we eventually got the 4-1 win and the result we deserved.

It was hot out there and I was one of the few to end up playing the full 90 minutes - but if it means I'm playing for Liverpool then I'll play in any conditions!

At the end of the game a lot of the local supporters invaded the pitch to congratulate us and it was a nice way to end the season. We were presented with a trophy and we enjoyed it because we deserved some form of silverware after the campaign we have just had. It might not have been what we all wanted but we still let our hair down and had a good laugh in the dressing room afterwards.

The LFC TV camera crew caught a fair bit of our celebrations so it'll be great to look back on that when it airs in the channel soon.

FRIDAY

Another early start saw us take a trip down to the island's capital where we visited four of the areas local schools.

Clive Cook our Education and Welfare Officer had warned us that it would be very different to what we were used to and it was a very humbling experience for us.

It helps you to realise just how lucky you are to have the type of life you lead in England.

It really was a fantastic morning and we all had a great time answering questions from the kids before heading out onto the playing fields to knock the ball around with them and have our photos taken.

There was some great banter going on and you have to admire their happy outlook on life.

In the afternoon we got some more time to chill on the beach and a bunch of us did some LFC TV interviews which was good fun - not to mention great practice for us in dealing with the media.

I was really looking forward to the evening because a boat trip to the set of 'Pirates of the Caribbean' had been arranged for us.

I love the films and watch them quite a bit. I actually watched it on the iPad before we set off just so I knew what to look out for.

It was a great excursion and I think you could see just how well this set of lads get on. We've got a great camaraderie.

 

SATURDAY

Our final training session of the season saw some more youngsters from the local area come down to Buccament Bay and run through some drills with us.

The players all played the role of coach within small groups and I have to admit it was another great experience and a nice way to bring an end to the football side of the trip.

Once again the afternoon was our own and unsurprisingly most of us hit the beach and the sea once again!

SUNDAY

It was fantastic to have a day of relaxing in resort and it was really good of the people at Buccament Bay to arrange a whole host of activities for us.

Some of the lads went water skiing, others went kayaking while some of us chose to get out of the sun and watch the final day of the Barclays Premier League season.

Unfortunately we couldn't get the Liverpool game so we flicked between Wolves v Blackburn and Man United v Blackpool. To be honest, I couldn't stomach watching the Mancs for too long so we only saw bits of that!

After the games were over I hit the pool for a bit and just enjoyed the superb facilities on offer.

I got a few texts of Flanno and Jack Robbo who were still in England with the first-team. They'd seen some of the photos and they were a bit gutted to have missed out on the Caribbean. I wound them up a bit and we had some good banter.

But having said that, if it's a choice between playing for the first-team and coming to St Vincent then there is no contest really - it has to be the first-team every time.

 

MONDAY

What a day this proved to be.

When I saw the itinerary for the tour this was the one day I was looking forward to the most.

Tobago Cays was just paradise on earth. The things we saw were incredible.

Every one of the lads was completely bowled over by it and it was great to snorkel and swim with turtles.

I was lucky enough to get up close and personal with two of them. I saw a baby one first of all and then went looking for more. I popped my head up to clear some water out of my mask and when I went under the surface again there was one 30 centimetres in front of me. It scared the hell out of me!

I jumped out of the way in a panic but gathered my composure quick enough to follow it for a bit. They are such elegant creatures.

 

TUESDAY

We were all gutted to be leaving Buccament Bay Resort.

We'd had such a great time and can only thank everyone involved for making us feel so welcome. I definitely want to go back again at some point in the future.

As we arrived at the airport the news filtered through to us that Rodolfo had been promoted to reserve team coach.

I'm made up for him and I know a lot of the lads are delighted by the appointment.

He's a brilliant manager and a top coach. His conduct around the players is first class and hopefully I'll be playing under him again next season as part of the second-string's squad.

I'm determined to push on as much as I can now. I want to turn myself into a player worthy of featuring for this club's first-team and hopefully I can work hard enough to make sure that becomes a reality one day in the future.

Conor was speaking to Paul Hassall

Click on the logo to learn more about the Liverpool soccer school at Buccament Bay Resort