Football legend meets budding young stars

Photo: Tim Bradley

Summer of Excellence at Madhlo. Paul Scholes leading coaching sessions.Chairman Terry Flanagan and Paul Scholes and kids taking part in the sessions.

FOOTBALL legend Paul Scholes led a coaching masterclass to launch a programme of summer fun and activities at the Mahdlo Youth Zone.

The 41-year-old former England and Manchester United player visited the Oldham youth centre to highlight its Summer of Excellence programme, which includes sports, trips, drama and music activities.

He met Mahdlo patrons and supporters for a breakfast on Saturday morning, then led a training session at Madhlo’s sports hall.

Trustee chairman Terry Flanagan said: “Mahdlo is offering some excellent activities that are not available anywhere else. We are delighted to have Paul Scholes, a sporting legend, supporting us. For someone who has reached such heights in professional sport, he’s the most grounded, down-to-earth person you could meet.

He quipped: “He’s a really top bloke – although he never buys me a tea or coffee!”

Youngsters queued to meet Paul and have their football shirts signed.

Among them was Joshua Bartlett (nine) and pal Jake Weight (10), who are both from Delph.

Joshua said: “I come to Mahdlo to play sports like football and tag-rugby, and also play pool and X-Box games. It’s really good and we have lots of fun.

“I’ve had my Barcelona top signed by Paul Scholes today. I support Barcelona and Manchester United. I tried to find a shirt with the same number that Paul Scholes had at United, which I think was number 8. My shirt has a number 10 but Paul Scholes said never mind.”

Paul Scholes recalled playing football around the age of seven and eight: “I used to play at Langley in Middleton, with schools and youth clubs. I also played for Boundary Park Juniors when I was a kid. It was lots of fun and that’s really important. Today’s training will be about having fun. There’s no big pressure.

“I haven’t done much coaching and I’m really looking forward to training with the Mahdlo kids. I did a little bit of coaching at Manchester United and I’ve done some at Stalybridge Celtic with my son.

“I got involved with Mahdlo through meeting Terry Flanagan. Mahdlo is doing great things across Oldham and it’s a pleasure to support it. I just want to come here and give a few hours of my time. There’s some fantastic facilities here and it’s great to see what youngsters can do.”

Mahdlo chief executive Mike Doran said: “Mahdlo is all about helping young people to achieve their ambitions and also having a lot of fun.

“This Summer of Excellence programme has lots of sports because of the 2016 Olympic Games but we have plenty of other activities too.

“For example, we’re running musical events with the Royal Northern College of Music and drama with Oldham Coliseum Theatre. These organisations offer excellence in their fields and we are giving young people the opportunities to aspire. Inspiration is really important.”

Forthcoming sporting events include a visit from Manchester United and England U-16 rising star Angel Gomes, a competitive weight-lifting event at Mahdlo’s Olympic weightlifting platform on July 31 and an archery masterclass from Paralympic double gold medal-winner Danielle Brown.

Young explorers can also take part in camping in the Pennines.