Daddy of a game from Scholes
FORMER Manchester United and England midfielder Paul Scholes stunned fans of 11th-tier side Royton Town by pulling on his boots to patrol their midfield.
Scholes, 43, retired from the professional game in 2013 but was drafted into son Arron’s non-league team after they had suffered a player shortage. Despite showing off his quality the 11-time Premier League winner was unable to prevent Royton from falling to a 1-0 defeat against fellow Manchester League side Stockport Georgians.
Georgians defender Will Callan said: “I picked him up a few times on free-kicks and corners, which was surreal. He was definitely the best player on the pitch. His passing was just as good as it was six or seven years ago.”
When Callan, 18, was born, Scholes had already won three league titles, a Champions League trophy, and was preparing to play for England in Euro 2000.
“I’ve been a United season-ticket holder for over 10 years so to play against someone who I’ve grown up watching was amazing,” Callan added.
Asked if he had tried to get Scholes’s shirt at full-time, Callan replied: “We beat them 1-0 and he didn’t look too happy at the end of the game so I didn’t want to bother him!”
After their hard-fought win, the Georgians tweeted: “The lad in midfield for them is one to look out for.”