The Wembley dream came true for 54 FA Charter Standard Clubs this week as they were given the chance to play on the hallowed turf as part of The FA / McDonald's National Football Festival.The afternoon was made even more special for the 900 youngsters as Fabio Capello was there to take a look at the action. And as well as The Three Lions Manager, England legend Sir Geoff Hurst was also there in his position as the McDonald's Director of Football.
The boys and girls, who all play Mini-Soccer in the under-10s age group, were taking part in the Festival which is just one part of McDonald's commitment to grassroots football in their role as The FA's Community Partner.
McDonald's have organised more than 50 free regional football festivals this summer involving over 20,000 kids, with the top teams getting their chance at Wembley this week.
After a morning of competition at nearby Northwick Park with expert coaching from former Manchester United youth team coach Eric Harrison, the teams from all corners of the land headed to Wembley where their once-in-a-lifetime opportunity was waiting.
Sir Geoff more than most knows the honour in playing at Wembley having scored a hat-trick in the 1966 World Cup Final as England beat West Germany and he was delighted to see so many children relish their chance.
"Today is really the culmination of the 50 football festivals we have throughout the UK and teams from each of those are here for the unbelievable opportunity of playing here at Wembley," Sir Geoff explained.
"I've been involved with the coaching programme for six or seven years now, we've got 13,000 coaches out there delivering probably two million hours worth of coaching and it's something we didn;t have six or seven years ago. The programme has been an unprecedented success.
"One of the fundamental things I enjoy is when you turn up to a festival like this and you see the smiles on the kids faces. We're all doing this so our young children can enjoy some exercise, enjoy playing sport, enjoy the cameraderie and the fun you get from playing football, so it's just absolutely brilliant."
Each of the team played one ten-minute match on one of the four Mini-Soccer pitches set up on the Wembley turf.
One of the victorious teams was Wasps JFC, from Sheffield. Despite going a goal down in their match to Derbyshire-based Wirksworth Colts AFC thanks to a fine finish from Jacob Potts, there was a sting in the tail as Robert Miller fired in from range through a crowded penalty area before Jacob Venni grabbed the winner for the Wasps with a scorching volley into the top corner.
"This is something that will stay with them for the rest of their lives," added Sir Geoff.
"To be involved in any event here at the national stadium, particularly at their age because it's a time when the kids will remember where they were, it's something that will stick with them and their family and friends. The parents and grandparents are probably having as much fun as the kids are.
"We can all pick out the great kids, even at this age, within five minutes we'd all come up with the same guy on one team who has stood out. This isn't designed to bring new kids to play international football, but it is absolutely vital that we get a wider range of kids playing the sport.
"I believe that the greater depth of children we have at a young age playing the sport, the better chance we have at the top end of producing great players who play international football."
For more info about The FA's Charter Standard programme, click here, or to learn more on McDonald's coaching programme visit www.mcdonalds.co.uk
