Melksham youngsters play in Wembley showpiece (From This Is Wiltshire)

Melksham youngsters play in Wembley showpiece

2:56pm Wednesday 8th August 2007

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YOUNGSTERS from Melksham Town Youth Saints rubbed shoulders with England boss Steve McClaren and 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst at the inaugural McDonald's Football Festival at the new Wembley Stadium on Monday.

The Saints received expert tuition from McDonald's head coach Eric Harrison, the former Manchester United youth team boss who nurtured the talents of David Beckham and Gary Neville, and took part in mini-tournaments under the watchful gaze of McClaren and Sir Geoff.

The under 10s team earned their place at the Wembley showpiece alongside 44 teams from around the UK after taking part in a local tournament held in Wiltshire earlier this summer.

And manager Ian Forester believes his players will cherish the day for the rest of their lives.

"It was a phenomenal day for everybody involved - not just the kids but for all the parents and coaches who made the trip with us," Forester said.

"To see the lads play at Wembley made me immensely proud and we had to drag them back off the pitch at the end of the day.

"The trip hasn't really sunk in for the kids yet but they've got memories that will be with them for the rest of their lives now."

The event had been organised by McDonald's, the Football Association's community partner, as the culmination of a regional festival tour which saw 55,000 children from 43 tournaments attempt to qualify for the Wembley final.

The Melksham players, who are soon set to start the new season in the Wiltshire Times and Chippenham News Mid-Wilts Youth and Minor League, followed in the footsteps of Chelsea and Manchester United stars from the weekend's Community Shield - walking down the tunnel, playing a match on the hallowed turf and walking up the famous Wembley steps to the Royal Box.

And the Melksham boys made the most of their chance on the pitch, winning their match 4-0, with Chay Forester, Callum Demkiv, Tom Jones and Warren Rees all finding the net.

And McClaren is crossing his fingers that the tournament might produce the next crop of England stars.

"It was great to see the boys from Melksham at Wembley and they certainly seemed to enjoy the experience," said the England boss.

"It was a chance of a lifetime because many great players have finished their careers without playing at Wembley.

"There were some talented kids out there and it would be great to see them back here for England one day."

CLICK HERE to see pictures of the youngsters' day out at Wembley

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