BULL’S NEW MATE IS JUST BRAZIL-IANT!
AMATEUR player/boss Ed Speller says lining up alongside his new teammate in his Sunday League team was one of the “best days of his life”.
Goalkeeper Speller admits he was left awe-struck when Shrewsbury and District Sunday League Division 1 side Bull in the Barne unveiled their secret weapon from the bench – none over than Brazilian legend Roberto Carlos!
The 48-year-old former Real Madrid full-back turned out for the Shropshire-based side after they won a raffle to raise money for Football Beyond Borders, a charity that helps disadvantaged young people in the community.
Carlos showed some nice touches after coming off the bench in the first half and then came back on to score a penalty late on as Bull in the Barne were beaten 4-3 Harlescott Rangers at Hanwood Village Hall Recreation Centre.
The World-Cup winner said: “I’m very happy to be back playing. Football is amazing and even though I’ve had the opportunity to play with the biggest names in world football, playing here is very enjoyable. Always good to score a goal!
“A lot of people don’t realise that even though I played with some of the biggest clubs and best players in the world I started ‘here’ in Brazil, at 13, 14 years old. It brings back great memories for me playing on pitches like this.”
Speller, who made the £5 raffle entry for the team, said: “We can safely say it’s the best moment of our footballing careers and it’s been one of the best days of our lives probably.
“It’s been amazing, the whole experience from start to finish. You have to be realistic and say he won’t be able to banana free-kick from 35 yards out maybe any more, but the penalty... that was top-quality, bottom-corner.
“Even any touch he had, every pass was directly to someone and on this pitch, that’s not easy, we’re struggling throughout the game to do that. He’s just a class player.”