TWO lucky Westbury footballers were thrilled with the experience of a lifetime, when they played at Wembley alongside footballing legends Stuart Pearce, Ray Wilkins, Graeme Le Saux and Steve Claridge last week.
Mark Young, a Westbury United player, and Scott Howse, an avid football fan and player, both experienced life as a professional England player when they won a place on Vauxhall’s Big Pitch competition.
The two men followed the regime of a professional England player for two days. On Tuesday they trained with Gary Neville at St George’s Park at Burton upon Trent, staying at the Hilton overnight. The following day, they got the England team bus from St George’s to Wembley, where they played a 90-minute match.
The Westbury footballers, who have known each other since their schooldays, were amazed to win the competition and find themselves playing at Wembley in the same game – but on opposing teams!
Mark’s team was captained by Graeme Le Saux, and managed by Stuart Pearce, and Mark scored two goals during the game.
He said, “It was absolutely amazing, a dream come true. The best part was just acting like the professionals, going into the changing rooms with the players, having the kit. We were able to ask lots of questions.”
Scott’s team was managed by Ray Wilkins and captained by Steve Claridge. He said, “It’s a football fan’s dream, playing at Wembley, and an unbelievable experience. It was just how they treat the England team before a big game.”
Pictured: Mark Young with Graeme Le Saux
