200 pupils to cheer legend Paul in his last game

OLDHAM youngsters will get to see football legend Paul Scholes play for the final time as part of Oldham’s Olympic legacy.

Around 200 pupils have been given free tickets for the Manchester United and England star’s testimonial at Old Trafford on Friday against a New York Cosmos soccer celebrity side managed by former United idol Eric Cantona.

The chance to see midfielder Scholes, who lives in Grasscroft, pull on his boots at the Theatre of Dreams for one last run out is thanks to One Future — a ground-breaking scheme backed by Oldham Council, private sector leaders and well-known sporting and home-grown figures that is designed to ensure London 2012 leaves the borough with a lasting legacy.

The tickets have been allocated to:

::St Joseph’s, St Anne’s Greenacres, Friezland and Knowsley Primary Schools — who all won through the borough’s Mini Games festivals and represented the borough at Greater Manchester level with Team Oldham finishing second overall.

::New Bridge and Kingfisher — special schools providing regular sports provision for children with disabilities.

::St Martin’s and Yew Tree Schools — recognition for their outstanding participation in the Oldham Borough Games 2011.

::A number of sports clubs and young volunteers who were recognised at the Oldham Sports Awards 2011 for the work they do in the community.

::A selection of young people who have shown outstanding skills and attitude on the summer camps being delivered in the community,

Paul Scholes said: “As an Oldham resident and One Future Ambassador I am delighted around 200 young people from the borough will be able to come along on the night and watch my testimonial free of charge.

“Hopefully, seeing so many world-class footballers up close will inspire the youngsters to dedicate themselves to their chosen fields so they too can become stars of the future and a credit to their home town.”