The New York football college squad is traveling to Birmingham, England next week to again compete in the British College Games. The panel, which was announced last Friday, is returning to that city after a very successful trip last February when they won their division with wins over Rennes, France, Nottingham, Lincoln and a draw against Carlisle before they bowed out at the hands of Manchester in the semifinal. The Manchester team went on to win the Plate in that section of the competition. While there are three groups in the championship, New York will again contest the Plate, with five games on Saturday, February 7, with the semifinals and final on Sunday the 8th for the teams that qualify out of their respective sections. The manager of the side comes from the winning New York under-21 club. This year Joe Hallinan from St. Barnabas follows Danny Hannon from the same club. His selectors are Ed Brady, Dennis Twomey and Eugene Kyne. Kyne is also training the squad. Off a panel of 19 players last season, 17 participated in the New York senior divisions either at junior or senior level. This year's panel will consist of a full lineup of players who have lined out in New York in 2008, and they comprise what is a cross section of a strong Minor Board that has graduated to the senior level. The squad has the full backing of both boards in New York, with financial and preparatory help in the last weeks from both as the side prepares for flight. The team has trained in a variety of locations in January, with Gaelic Park utilized when weather permitted, and gyms across Yonkers availed of when snow arrived. The full panel of players making the trip is as follows, with their Minor Board affiliated side - Thomas McGovern, Nick Moustosis, Joe Hallinan, Kyle Hannon (St. Barnabas), Steve Spellman, John White, Rockland. CJ Molloy, Danny Tierney, Kevin McArdle (Celtics), Eoghan Kyne, Denis Kilkenny, Steve Gomez, Ciaran Slattery, Nick Greene, Conor Brady, Sean Brady, TJ Higgins (St. Raymond's), Shane Carty, Sean Twomey, Pierce Cassels (Rangers). While some of the players also line out for their home club under the senior board, the following clubs are also represented - Cavan, Astoria Gaels, Donegal, Kerry, Dublin and Armagh. Twelve members of the 2008 squad return, which will certainly help experience wise. A total of 33 players tried out for the panel, which left a very difficult decision for the management when it came time to select the final traveling party. The side will have a fundraising going away outing next Sunday in Danny Macs on McLean Avenue in Yonkers at 2 p.m., and all are invited to come and wish the side well before they embark. With Mayo on the horizon for the New York senior team in a few short months in the Connacht Champion-ship, this is the beginning of championship season in a great fashion, with this tournament now looking to be penciled in as an annual affair for New York.