Wembley treat for Heyside

Heyside Juniors Unders 10's at Wembley

HEYSIDE Juniors under-10s followed in the footsteps of legends when they graced Wembley Stadium.

They were taking part in The National Football Festival, organised by The FA and McDonald’s.

One of 56 Charter Standard clubs invited to the event, it was staged to celebrate grassroots community football and included a meeting with England World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst.

Manager Kevin Dunkerley said: “It was fantastic day and better than anyone expected.

“We had a look in the changing rooms, stood in the tunnel and had a runabout on the pitch.

“We also shook hands with Sir Geoff Hurst, which probably meant more to me than the players.”

The youngsters came away with a unique souvenir from the occasion.

Dunkerley explained: “They stuffed their socks with grass from the pitch on the way out.

“Nobody will ever forget it and we were all pretty dumbstruck.”

The day kicked off with teams playing three 15-minute games at Northwick Park, close to Wembley.

They then took part in a training sessions lead by the McDonald’s national coach, Eric Harrison, the ex-Manchester United youth team coach who worked with David Beckham, Ryan Giggs and Oldham’s Paul Scholes.

But it didn’t end there. At the end of the festival, every team made their way to Wembley, where they had the opportunity to play a game, pose for a picture, before walking up to the Royal Box to receive a commemorative medal.