Former England captain Alan Shearer became an even bigger hero for a number of children when he helped them take a day off school to improve their footballing skills.
Shearer is an ambassador for The E.ON National FA Cup Schools Day, an annual event that seeks to celebrate all that is great about the world's oldest football competition.
Shearer took part in a session at Varner Street Primary School in Manchester on Thursday and was mobbed by hundreds of young primary school children eager to learn more about the FA Cup.
Around the country, a quarter of the nation's youngsters aged between seven and 11 were taking part in football themed lessons, specialised coaching courses and miniature practice games and Shearer said the growth of the idea has given him particular satisfaction.
"Last year there was 300,000 taking part but this year there is over a million taking part," he said.
"We are bringing The FA Cup into the schools and it basically gives the kids a little bit of an excuse for a day off from different lessons, like history, geography and English and they all enjoy it.
"Judging from the smiles on their faces and the numbers turning up around the county it has been a great success."
Shearer believes The E.ON FA Cup Schools Day also promotes the important message that children need the opportunities to kick a ball around from a young age because that is where they start to develop the skills that make them into world class footballers.
The former Newcastle United striker is also adamant that enjoying the game of football should always be the biggest priority.
"Without grassroots, we all wouldn't be here," added Shearer.
"That's how we all started and the kids love it. They have said to me 'what piece of advice would you give?' and they are eight, nine and ten and at that age, it's not about winning, it's about going out and enjoying it and having a smile on their face."