A Host of Football Legends at Old Trafford

November 2015

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Students saw a host of football legends on the pitch at Old Trafford.

Fifteen Martin Gray Football Acadaemy students, accompanied by Mr Laybourn, have recently returned from a trip to the 'Match for Children' in aid of UNICEF fundraising event at Old Trafford, which was organised by David Beckham.

The match reunited host of Manchester United greats, including Ryan Giggs, Paul Scholes, Michael Owen and Sol Campbell, who all joined Beckham as Captain on the pitch for an action-packed game against "The Rest of the World XI' team, led by Zinedine Zidane. The event also included entertainment before the game and at half time from Andrea Bocelli and Rita Ora.

The final score saw "Great Britain and Ireland XI' triumph in a 3-1 victory against the "Rest of the World XI' with two of the winning goals scored by Michael Owen and the third by Paul Scholes. Towards the end of the match, students joined the crowd in a standing ovation for David Beckham when he was substituted with 15 minutes to go for his 16 year old son, Brooklyn.

"The event was a fantastic experience for the group," said Mr Laybourn. "The atmosphere was really amazing and it was inspirational to see so many of our football heroes on the pitch at the same time. Students had a brilliant time."