Oldham Athletic captain Liam Kelly and youth team player Jamie Stott visited South Failsworth Primary School yesterday.
Kelly and Stott visited eight boys who travel to Crewe Alexandra next month to represent the club in the Northern Final of the Kinder+Sport Football League Kids Cup.
South Failsworth are this year's winners of Oldham Athletics local Kids Cup competition and will now travel to Crewe to face the likes of Rochdale and Port Vale for the chance to play at Wembley Stadium against the southern winners prior to the Sky Bet League One play-off final in May.
South Failsworth's journey began in November finishing top of their group and earning a place at the finals day, which was held this week at Chapel Road. The finals day consisted of the eight best teams from this year’s competition who had progressed from their groups. The eight schools who qualified were: Hodgeclough, St Pauls, Rushcroft, St Johns, Thorp, Mills Hill, Greenhill and South Failsworth. The evening contained plenty of goals and some fantastic individual and team performances from the youngsters.
Yesterday’s visit saw Liam and Jamie spend over an hour with the children who were keen to get some tips on becoming a footballer and learning to deal with any nerves the pair might get pre-match.
It was an extra special visit for Jamie Stott as he is an ex-pupil at South Failsworth Primary School, infact six years ago Jamie also played in the northern final again held at Crewe Alexandra. Unfortunately on the day the team lost out in the final on penalties.
South Failsworth have a fantastic record in the competition reaching Wembley twice in the previous five years.
Everyone at Oldham Athletic would like to wish the boys good luck on March 12.