Silver lining

Photo: Darren Robinson

CUP of cheer: Manchester City life president Bernard Halford with pupils (from left) Lucas Burton, Aoife Wheldon, Ben Dean, Liam Lovell, Niall Wheldon, Elizabeth Pandolfo and Bailey Marsden.

FOOTBALL-mad youngsters in Shaw got up close to the gleaming FA Cup.

They laid their eyes on the trophy when Bernard Halford, life president of cup holders Manchester City, paid a visit to St Joseph’s School.

And the cup was accompanied by two burly minders who made sure that hands were kept strictly off. It was swathed in a new City tartan which has been commissioned by the club.

Mr Halford was born in Chadderton and became the country’s youngest club secretary when he joined Oldham Athletic at the age of 23. His grand-daughter is a pupil at St Joseph’s and deputy head teacher Steve Hill said: “The pupils thought it was fantastic.

“To see the FA Cup is something that will stay with them for life.”