Middlesbrough's Riverside Stadium was visited by a true World Cup legend on Sunday, when Sir Geoff Hurst, MBE was the special guest at the McDonald's football day held in the Boro ground. ComeOnBoro.com's Elle Brunton reports.
The event was run in conjuctions with MFC in the Community and was part of McDonald's community partnership with the FA which aims to inspire youngsters' love of the beautiful game through fun, interactive coaching sessions and mini-tournaments.
Sir Geoff is the Director of football for McDonalds Community Football Program, and was joined by McDonald's Head Coach Eric Harrison, former head of Manchester United's youth academy who was running a series of training sessions throughout the day.
In the Boro dressing rooms, Sir Geoff hosted a question and answer session with the fans before signing autographs ( and quite a bit of England merchandise) and posing for pictures.
Geoff Hurst said: "We want to provide the community with a football-focused fun day for all. Football is part of the fabric of our society and no more so than in a World Cup year. It's a great testament to McDonald's that they're committed to making football accessible to whole communities, helping to raise the standards of grassroots football up and down the country, week in, week out. I'm looking forward to seeing as many fans there as possible."
Natalie Marshall, McDonald's local operations consultant, added: "McDonald's proudly supports football in Britain's communities and in partnership with The FA, The Scottish FA, The Irish FA and The Welsh Football Trust, we're looking to leave a legacy in communities that will last for years to come.
"As a part of that, we're well on our way to coaching over one million children to date."
Child-friendly soft play area goals and speed cages were set up for the children to take part, with qualified volunteers, as well as families and friends, acting as coaches.
There was also section to encourage mums to get involved in the coaching, something which the McDonalds community programme is passionate about.
Admission to the event cost just £3 for adults and £1 for under-16s and over-60s.
The day included the annual Riverside Festival involving 82 teams of 7-11 year-olds, with the Teesside Tigers and Teeside Athletic battling it out for the trophy.
Teesside Athletic were crowned the victors following a penalty shoot-out and a player of the tournament was also presented with a special trophy.
Sir Geoff was on hand to present the trophies, with the runners up also receiving some silverware.
Geoff Hurst, said:" We work on football projects throughout the UK, where we get involved with football clubs and the community projects. Boro is one of the best in the country.
"I became the director of football [for McDonalds Community Football Program] in 2002 and now there are over two thousand coaches and 50 festivals to support the community projects."
And what does Hurst think of England's chances of winning the 2010 World Cup?
"It would be great for the country if the national team does manage it, there's great passion within our country. he said.
"I think we are going to do very well, it'll be very disappointing if we don't get to the semi final."
Fabio Capello's provisional 30 man squad has thrown up a couple of wildcards, including six Spurs players, but Hurst thinks the selection was fairly obvious given the domestic season just gone.
"The squad looks more or less as you would expect, but the 23, there are six of seven players coming in because they've had a really good season for their clubs. he explained.
"Spurs had a fantastic season and finished fourth and when a team is good people start to look at the team and that's what you get.
"Dawson and Huddlestone got in, Aaron Lennon was already in of course, and Ledley's a great player even though he hasn't played a full season."
And one player who seems to be impressing everybody recently is ex Boro winger Adam Johnson.
"Someone who has really come through from the north east perspective is Adam Johnson, because he left Middlesbrough. Hurst said.
"He wasn't really known nationally, but he has started playing very well for Manchester City.
"Its exciting for football, he could come from nowhere, like Martin Peters did, he has never played for England [at senior level] before and he could go to the World Cup.
"If he plays well against Mexico he could get in the team.
"That's the beauty about the game, it can always throw up a surprise!"
First published on www.ComeOnBoro.com on 24-5-10
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