Castle United Under 10’s at Wembley.

Youngsters from Castle United Football Club rubbed shoulders with England boss Steve McClaren and 1966 World Cup hero Sir Geoff Hurst at the inaugural McDonald's Football Festival held at the new Wembley Stadium in August.. 

The team based in Rowlands Castle were nominated by Hampshire FA in recognition of the club’s newly awarded Chartered status to take part in the FA McDonalds Mini-Soccer Festival 2007 alongside 43 other teams from around the UK at Wembley. Earlier that day the team has taken part in a non-competitive tournament at nearby Northwick Park, under the watchful eye of Sir Trevor Brooking - The Football Association’s Director of Football. 

They then went on to Wembley Stadium where they played one 12-minute game on the famous pitch against a side from Dorset, which they won 2-0. The youngsters were then presented with medals by Sir Trevor in the royal box.

Castle United manager Rob Woolas said “The lads have had the day of a lifetime. After playing in the mini-festival at Northwick Park they were taken to Wembley Stadium where after the welcoming speech by Sir Geoff Hurst, they went through the player entrance tunnel on to the pitch and played a game in front of about 5,000 people before climbing the steps to the royal box where Sir Trevor Brooking and Steve McClaren presented them with their medals. They also posed for a team photo with Sir Geoff Hurst.”

Castle United Secretary, Stephen Crooks said “It was a wonderful opportunity for the boys and it was something they will never forget and will probably never be repeated. We were all so proud to see them out on the famous pitch where only 24 hours earlier the likes of Wayne Rooney and John Terry contested the FA charity shield..

It was also a very special moment for Castle United Youth Football Club to have a team play at Wembley in a major national football event.