Kingstonian Youth under-10s enjoyed a day out at Wembley Stadium as part of McDonald’s regional Open Day tour.
WORLD Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst cast his eye over a selection of future England hopefuls as Kingstonian Youth FC enjoyed a dream day out at Wembley Stadium.
Kingstonian Youth under-10s – representing the Surrey FA – joined over 700 children from across the country at the McDonald’s National Football Festival – the pinnacle of McDonald’s regional Open Day tour.
The youngsters enjoyed an action packed day of coaching and mini-tournaments, including expert tuition from Eric Harrison – the former Manchester United Youth Team boss who helped to nurture the careers of David Beckham and Ryan Giggs.
And manager Stephen Uche, from Melliss Avenue, Richmond, was delighted his side were offered the once in a lifetime opportunity.
“It was a day these kids will never forget and one I won’t either,” he said. “Wembley is where the great games are played, the cup finals and the international matches, now these lads can watch on the TV in the future and say ‘I played there.’
“There are plenty of top players who never get to step out on the Wembley pitch, so for these kids to do it was a dream come true.
“Sir Geoff and Sir Trevor Brooking are absolute heroes, so for my team to meet them is great – it’ll take the kids some time to get over it.”
DREAM DAY OUT: Members of the Kingstonian Youth Team on the pitch at Wembley with Sir Geoff Hurst
The National Festival is all part of the McDonald’s community football programme which involves sponsoring over 4,500 local football clubs and coaching over one million children
Kingstonian players – who play in the West Surrey Youth League – graced the hallowed Wembley turf just days before Chelsea and Manchester United locked horns in the Community Shield
And Hurst is hopeful some of the youngsters on show might be back pulling on an England shirt in the future.
“I was delighted to be involved with a scheme that was able to give the kids the chance to play at Wembley,” said Hurst, who was joined by some of the 13,000 new volunteer community coaches that McDonald’s have helped to create in England over the last six years
“They’ve had the chance to play at this great stadium and you never know some of them might be back one-day playing professionally.”
McDonald’s is The FA’s Official Community Partner. For more information on McDonald’s coaching programme, please go to www.mcdonalds.co.uk
