Children from grassroots clubs that started the careers of the Three Lions squad were given the chance to play on the pitch graced by their heroes
Young players from Kew Park Rangers enjoyed a day at Wembley Stadium as part of McDonald’s free coaching programme.
Under-9s players from the youth team took part in a session that celebrated the fast-food chain’s goal of reaching five million hours of free ‘fun football’.
FA accredited coaches provided skills and drills for the attending children alongside ambassadors.
These included World Cup winner Sir Geoff Hurst and former England captains Frank Lampard, Casey Stoney and Jack Rutter.
McDonald’s celebrated providing five million hours of free Fun Football to children in the UK, a year ahead of the 2022 goal.
With so many children inspired to play football after a summer of sport, the company gave children from grassroots clubs across the country the chance to play on the famous pitch.
Sir Geoff Hurst, who memorably scored a hat-trick in the 1966 FIFA World Cup Final, said:
“It was fantastic to welcome the young players of Kew Park Rangers to this special McDonald’s Fun Football session at Wembley Stadium where memories have been made for myself and many others through the years. We’re celebrating five million hours of free football coaching, what an incredible milestone to reach. Congratulations to all the coaches and children who have helped to achieve that number.
McDonald’s franchisee Atul Pathak said: “It’s been an honour to be involved in the celebrations today and be able to offer children from Kew Park Rangers this special experience. I’ve been a long time supporter of grassroots football in Richmond and it’s a really proud feeling for my team, and franchisees across the country, to celebrate five million hours of free Fun Football. Hopefully the day has created a lot of special memories for this generation of young players.”
McDonald’s launched its Fun Football programme in 2018 with the goal to encourage kids aged 5 to 11 to take their first steps into football, getting 500,000 children into the game for the first time.
Players participating in the Wembley session included representatives from Ridgeway Rovers, Handsworth FC, Molesey Juniors, Kew Park Rangers and Woburn & Wavendon – the grassroots clubs where several of the current Three Lions squad found their love of football.
For more information on the initiative go to: www.mcdonalds.co.uk/football or follow @FunFootballUK on Twitter and Instagram.
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